Mystery, drama combine for engaging 'Night of January 16th at Western Reserve Playhouse by April Helms | Special Products Editor Published: September 18, 2015 12:00AM With most plays, the audience does not get to choose the ending. But a select group of the audience will become the jury for Western Reserve Playhouse's last show of its summer season, "Night of January 16th." Their decision toward the end of the show -- whether or not they felt that Karen Andre (played by Beth Gaiser) was guilty or not of murdering her longtime lover and boss -- will determine how the show would end."Night of January 16th," by Ayn Rand, directed by Brian Westerley, opened Sept. 11. The entire play is set in a courtroom, with Judge Heath presiding (the judge is played by Tom Stephan and Scott K. Davis on different nights). The audience listens to the various witnesses, and the arguments of the prosecutor, District Attorney Flint (Meg Hopp) and Defense Attorney Stevens (Daniel Colaner). The question on everyone's mind is whether Bjorn Faulkner, a business tycoon swimming in a sea of debt and possible fraud charges, committed suicide or was murdered. Some of the more memorable witnesses included Magda (Harriet DeVeto), Faulkner's devoted housekeeper, who made no effort to hide her disdain for Karen; Jungquist (Sally Suren), Faulkner's bookkeeper who is on better terms with Karen; and a surprise appearance by Faulkner's young widow Nancy Lee (Elizabeth Allard).Just when Karen herself starts testifying, Regan (Ron Young), an infamous criminal arrives on the scene with an interesting twist to the story, and Nancy Lee's father Whitfield (David Hundertmark) unwittingly adds a few wrinkles himself to the case."It is a small part for me, but I love it," said Stephan, a Stow resident. "I get to see everything the audience sees, and hear everything the audience hears."Stephan said he formed a bit of a bias regarding the fictional case fairly early on, "which a real judge should not do," but said the role was an enjoyable one.The audience on opening night seemed to enjoy the show and could be heard discussing the result afterwards."It was excellent," said Karen Phillips of Cuyahoga Falls, who came with her husband John. "I think my favorite was the first Swedish lady [Magda], she was so good. But the whole cast was excellent."The show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Sept. 26. Western Reserve Playhouse is at 3326 Everett Road in Bath. For details, call 330-620-7314.Email: ahelms@recordpub.comPhone: 330-541-9438