The Group Rep Presents Agatha Christie's "The Secret of Chimneys"

L-R Daniel Lench, Todd Andrew Ball, Lee Grober, Michele Bernath, Bruce Nehlsen,

The Group Rep Presents Agatha Christie's "The Secret of Chimneys." Directed by Jules Aaron. Produced for the Group Rep by Kathleen Delaney and Kevin Hoffman.

I personally love Agatha Christie, and the Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre has the rarely seen Christie play, "The Secret of Chimneys," a comedy spiked with a murder mystery, and directed by the incomparable Jules Aaron. And, it’s fun, fun, fun.

The Brent country estate south of London sets the scene for our mystery of missing jewels, royalty and an international oil conspiracy. It's 1947, and there is a bearded stranger, missing princes, and unfortunately one dead prince. But there are secrets in this manor house, and Anthony Cade (Lee Grober) has arrived to delve into its secrets, and await the arrival of Prince Michael. Does Cade know where the missing jewels are? Just exactly what does he know? Well, Mrs. Lottie Lomax (Michele Schultz) and her assistant Bill Eversleigh (Dave Buzzotta) are handling the arrival of the Prince from Lord Caterham (Lloyd Pedersen) and they are quite anxious as to proper preparations for the royal arrival.

L R DaveBuzzotta DanielLench GabrielleSigrist DougHaverty photoByDougEngalla
L R Dave Buzzotta, Danie Lench, Gabrielle Sigrist, Doug Haverty

Staying at the estate is Virginia Revel (Stasha Surdyke), your typical Christie proper ingénue who takes a shine to Anthony Cade. The feeling is mutual, but Anthony and Virginia find a stranger shot dead in the chamber, which leads to all of us wondering ‘who done it’, and who the stranger is. Superintendent Battle (Daniel Lench) from Scotland Yard and Monsieur Lemoine (Todd Andrew Ball) of the French Surete, our FBI counterparts, are actively investigating. Rounding out the attendees are Lord Caterham’s daughter, Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent (Gabrielle Sigrist), and Herman Banks (Bruce Nehlsen), as well as Housekeeper Treadwell (Michele Bernath) and both Monsieur X and Prince Michael's security person, Boris (both played by Doug Haverty).

Wonderfully acted by all the cast, championed by the always amazing direction by Jules Aaron, "The Secret of Chimneys" is a great evening. The set by Chris Winfield is, as usual, fantastic. Costumes by Angela Eads, beautiful. The wigs by Judi Lewin truly set the scene.

L R StashaSurdyke LeeGrober photoByDougEngalla
L R Stasha Surdyke, Lee Grober

I love English humor, and I love a murder mystery, so I definitely feel "The Secret of Chimneys" is the show to see. Who doesn’t like a good murder mystery? We all love them. Have a great evening.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!

Cast: Todd Andrew Ball, Michele Bernath, Dave Buzzotta, Lee Grober, Doug Haverty, Daniel Lench, Bruce Nehlsen, Lloyd Pedersen, Michele Schultz, Gabrielle Sigrist, Stasha Surdyke – Understudies: Kait Haire and John Schroeder.

Director: Jules Aaron

Producers for the Group Rep: Kathleen Delaney & Kevin Hoffman

Set Design: Chris Winfield

Costume Design: Angela M. Eads

Light Design: Addison Calvin

Sound: Steve Shaw

Makeup/Wigs/Hair: Judi Lewin

Dialectician: Linda Brennan

Assistant Directors: Victor D’wayne Little & Kevin Hoffman

Photography/Videography: Doug Engalla

Public Relations: Nora Feldman

Graphic Design: Doug Haverty + Art & Soul Design