Murder on the Orient Express - Mar/Apr 2024

written

“This play is pure Mark Twain –uproariously alive, with guffaws and a barrage of side splitters!”

–

John Simon, Bloomberg News

presents

Agatha Christie’s

MURDER on the Orient Express

PRESIDENT Frank D. Shutts II

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

ARTISTIC SUPPORT ............................................................................................. Beverley Benda

BOX OFFICE Lloyd Bittinger

BUILDING ................................................................................................................... Myke Taister

DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................... Russell M. Wyland

EDUCATION Heather Sanderson

FRONT OF HOUSE ...................................................................................................... Genie Baskir

MEMBERSHIP ............................................................................................................ Kadira Coley

PRODUCTION .................................................................................................... Rachael Hubbard

PUBLIC RELATIONS Fred C. Lash

SEASONAL PLANNING .................................................................................... Eleanore Tapscott

TECHNICAL SUPPORT ............................................................................................... Ken Crowley

Treasurer ..................................................................................................................................................... David Hale

Secretary to the Board Lynn O’Connell

Executive Secretary Jamie Blake

Archivist Charles Dragonette

Business Manager .................................................................................................................... Kim Smith-Salmon

Box Office Manager Jeffery Westlake

Legal Counsel Brian T. Goldstein, Esquire

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Public Performances: Wed.–Sat. at 8:00 p.m. and Sun. at 3:00 p.m.

Any videotaping or other video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Agatha Christie’s Murder On The Orient Express

adapted by Ken Ludwig

was originally staged by McCarter Theater Center, Princeton, NJ

Emily Mann, Artistic Director

Timothy J. Shields, Managing Director

The production subsequently transferred to Hartford Stage, Hartford, CT

Darko Tresnjak, Artistic Director

Michael Stotts, Managing Director

LTA COVID Health and Safety Standards

Effective immediately, our performances, like all other programs in our theater, are MASK OPTIONAL in all of our public spaces, including our auditorium. This decision was made upon the recommendation of our Safety Committee. Though masking is now optional in our facility, we support and encourage those who feel the need to continue to mask to do so. If you have any symptoms of a respiratory illness, please continue to mask to protect others. Patrons with an active case of COVID should reschedule their tickets. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where the value of masking for some members of our community is recognized and mask-wearing is welcomed.

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHORITY’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists

Director’s Notes

My interest in the source material for this play began many years ago. My mother, who is from Uruguay, told me that she learned English by reading Agatha Christie’s novels. As a young girl, she would stay up beyond her bedtime, taking a Christie mystery with her under the covers, reading in the dark, using a flashlight. That’s how appealing Christie’s work was for her.

When I was growing up, she had all of Christie’s novels on our bookshelves, and, just as she had, I proceeded to read as many as I could. As I read, I was instantly transported to England, or Egypt, or Venice. No matter the setting, Christie always intrigued me and kept me turning the pages.

Of all of her novels, Murder on the Orient Express made the strongest impression on me. I couldn’t figure out who the murderer was, and my young brain worked to decipher the details behind every page. The novel had me mesmerized, and I remember reading it all in one day. The ending, once it arrived, was so satisfying, so perfect, that I knew I would forever have a special bond with this piece. The novel also intrigued me with its historic parallels—the 1932 kidnapping and murder of Charles A. Lindbergh’s son was probably an inspiration for the Armstrong case, and the blizzard in Turkey that stranded several passengers on the Orient Express in 1929 clearly influenced Christie to create her own mystery aboard the famed train. Although the story is set in 1934, nearly a century removed from our world today, there are still many comparisons one could make with 2024. A racist, antisemitic dictator was rising to power fueled by extreme nationalism, and the specter of world war loomed in the air. It’s not hard to imagine the kind of tension and energy the characters on the Orient Express were living with.

Ken Ludwig’s adaptation for the stage takes the source material in a slightly different direction, adding comedy and even changing the plot and streamlining the characters. So even if you have read the novel or seen one of the three major film adaptations, you may still be surprised by the new twists and turns. My hope is that I was able to bring to you a hybrid of the novel and this new adaptation, capturing the best of both and putting on the stage something palatable for a contemporary audience. I hope you enjoy the ride!

Stefan Sittig, Director

SYNOPSIS

It’s 1934, just after midnight, and a snowstorm has stopped the opulent sleeper train in its tracks. A wealthy American businessman is discovered dead, and the brilliant and beautifully mustachioed Hercule Poirot must solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again. Christie’s plottwisting masterpiece takes audiences on a suspenseful thrill ride that Broadway World calls “Everything you could want—broadly drawn characters, exotic settings, and a spectacular murder.”

SETTING

The principal action of the play takes place aboard the Orient Express as it travels from Istanbul to Western Europe.

ACT I

• Midday to morning

ACT II

• Morning to midday

PERFORMANCE PARTNERS IN THE ARTS

March 22 – AAUW

March 25 – P.E.O. Chapters L&G

April 2 – Woodbridge Women’s Club

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We could not function without the support of LTA office staff Kim Smith-Salmon and Jeffery Westlake.

Thank you to LTA Council volunteers for assisting with the double tech dinner. Big hugs and gratitude to Rachael Hubbard, LTA Governor for Production, for going above and beyond to support all LTA shows.

Many thanks to Alyssa Mutterperl for spearheading social media.

In case of an emergency, LTA has three AEDs (automated external defibrillators)

They are located as follows:

1. in the lobby, near the Council Green Room

2. in the cast entrance hallway, near backstage door

3. in the Alexandria Academy, on the first floor

Cast (in order of appearance)

Hercule Poirot/Announcer Voiceover .................................. Michael Kharfen

Head Waiter/Michel/Conductor Voiceover ........................... Paul Donahoe

Colonel Arbuthnot/Man Voiceover John Paul Odle

Mary Debenham ................................................................................ Danielle Comer

Helen Hubbard ............................................................................... Eleanore Tapscott

Hector MacQueen ................................................................................... Avery Lance

Monsieur Bouc/Father Voiceover ........................................Brian Lyons-Burke

Princess Dragomiroff ........................................................................ Patricia Nicklin

Greta Ohlsson/Nanny Voiceover .................................................. Julia Rudgers

Samuel Ratchett........................................................................................ Paul Caffrey

Countess Andrenyi/Mother Voiceover ................................... Brianna Goode

Little Girl Voiceover ....................................................................... Samantha Regan

Radio Voiceover .........................................................................................Stefan Sittig

Crew Producers .................................................................... Luana Bossolo, Kadira Coley

Director .......................................................................................................... Stefan Sittig

Dialect Coach ......................................................................................... Alden Michels

Stage Managers ................................................. Jennifer Hardin, Caitlin O’Leary

Assistant Stage Managers ................................ April Carter, Florence Ferraro, Gloria Gelabert, Fionn Geniušas, Bethany Griffith, Jasmine Jones, Scott Kotwas, James Miller, Eleanor Schmutz, Connor Strauss

Set Design .......................................................................................................Matt Liptak

Set Construction ........................................................... Jim Hutzler, Jeff Nesmeyer

Assisted by Shah Choudhury, Shannon Doyle, Chris Feldmann, Julie Fischer, Lars Issa, Matt Liptak, Suzette Manduley, Greg Matthes, Kenneth Zabielski

Set Painting ............................................................ Shannon Doyle, Kathy Murphy

Assisted by Kacie Carlyle, Maureen Clyne, Rebecca Harrison, Bobbie Herbst, Mary Hutzler, Patty Lord, Joyce McCue, Diane Nesmeyer, Diedre

“De” Nicholson-Lamb, Martha Raymond

Properties Design ................................................................................. Julia Lisowski

Assisted by Frank Blackmore, Phyllis Johnson, James Lee, Brooke Angel Markley

Set Dressing ............................................................... Kacie Carlyle, Kathy Murphy

Assisted by Martha Raymond

Lighting Design ......................................................................Ken and Patti Crowley

Master Electrician .............................................................................Pam Leonowich

Assisted by Beth Adler, Silas Andrews, Lloyd Bittinger, Kimberly Crago, Audrey Crowell, Nick Friedlander, Micheal O’Connor, Lee Perna, Donna Reynolds, Sherry Singer, Marg Soroos, Leslie Teitel

Sound Design ............................................................................................ Janice Rivera

Assisted by Michael Beavin, Keith Bell, Noah Feiwell, Nick Friedlander, Crystina McShay

Special Effects .................................................................................................. Art Snow

Costume Design ........................................................... Jean Schlichting, Kit Sibley

Wardrobe Coordinators ...................... Alisa Beyninson, Robin Worthington

Assisted by Margaret Snow

Makeup and Hair Design ...................................................................

Larissa Norris

Fight Captain.........................................................................................Brianna Goode

Fight Choreography ................................................................................. Stefan Sittig

Rigging ............................................................................................. Russell M. Wyland

Photography ................................................................................................ Matt Liptak

Audition Coordinator .......................................................................... Sherry Clarke

Assisted by Lloyd Bittinger, Kimberly Crago, Bobbie Herbst, Mary Hutzler, Patty Lord, Patricia Spencer Smith, Kenneth Zabielski, Janice Zucker

Opening Night Reception......................................................... Cameron McBride

Meet the Cast (in alphabetical

order)

Paul Caffrey (Samuel Ratchett) is incredibly happy to return to his LTA family. He is normally seen at LTA doing musicals, most recently playing Mike, the fiancé, in Freaky Friday. Other LTA shows include Something Rotten! and Sister Act. Paul hasn’t performed in an Agatha Christie play in over 25 years. Please wish him luck. Shout out to Chris Tomasino, whom Paul will always treasure, and Joanna Henry for asking him to join the cast of Freaky Friday. Chris and the mouse band were amazing.

Danielle Comer (Mary Debenham) is thrilled to return to the LTA stage, where she was previously seen as Joan in The Nance. Other credits include SpongeBob in The SpongeBob Musical (OVT), Dennis in All Shook Up (OVT), Sister James in Doubt (VTC), Susan in [title of show] (DS), a Multi Character in Leaving Iowa (PPF) and McKenzie in A Party to Murder (LTA). She has a B.A. in Theatre and English (JMU) and an M.A. in Arts Management (GMU). Thanks to her mom, Matt, the cast and crew and, most especially, her father.

Paul Donahoe (Michel/Head Waiter/Conductor Voiceover) has performed at LTA in Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van; Mary Stuart; Blue Stockings; August: Osage County; The Audience, and To Kill a Mockingbird. Other credits include How I Learned to Drive (DS), Defying Gravity and The Giver (ACCT) and Taking Sides (PCP), for which he received a WATCH nomination. His professional credits include two seasons at The McCarter Theater in Princeton and a season at The Intiman Theater in Seattle. Paul received an M.F.A. in Acting from Ohio University.

Brianna Goode (Countess Andrenyi/Mother Voiceover/Fight Captain) is excited to return to the LTA stage! Her favorite credits include Alice in Book of Will (CPA), Rita in Prelude to a Kiss (LTA), Ray in Fiveplay (TCP), Peto and Monjoy in Henry V (BST), Li’l Bit in How I Learned to Drive (DS) and Horatio in Hamlet (PCP). She is currently working toward her Actor Combatant certification with the SAFD. Brianna can be heard playing over 20 characters in BST’s Audio Plays: Shakespeare’s Histories, to be released on Spotify in late 2024. Brianna would like to thank her friends and family for their constant support!

Meet the Cast

Michael Kharfen (Hercule Poirot/Announcer Voiceover) is excited and grateful to return to LTA, where he last appeared as Milo in Sleuth 20 years ago. Previous roles include Otto Frank, The Diary of Anne Frank (RCP); Arthur, Superior Donuts (RCP); Henry, The Lion in Winter (TAP/RLT); Rothko, Red (ESP); Hauptmann, Hauptmann (PCP, WATCH Award); Nixon, Frost/Nixon (SSS); John, Shining City (ESP); Levene, Glengarry Glen Ross (ESP); and Salieri, Amadeus (TAP). He thanks a terrific cast, director and production team, family and friends. He works at the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Avery Lance (Hector MacQueen) It’s been many years since he stepped foot on a stage (since 2015). He was in the ensemble cast for the high school musical Cheaper by the Dozen and a drama summer camp counselor—both at the Dallas Theatre in Dallas, Georgia. Avery would like to thank his wife, who tells him every day he can do anything he sets his mind to; the people at the local theatre in Dallas, Georgia, who encouraged his love of the stage; and all his friends and family who are so supportive of him!

Brian Lyons-Burke (Monsieur Bouc/Father Voiceover) is thrilled and honored to return to LTA for his fourth production after appearing in The Audience, A Christmas Carol and The Producers. His most recent role was Inspector Kemp/The Hermit in Young Frankenstein (RMT). Other recent and favorite roles include Caldwell B. Cladwell in Urinetown (WAC), Victor in An Empty Plate at the Café Du Grand Boeuf (SSS), King Arthur in Spamalot! (RMT and WOB), Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd (TAP) and Roger DeBris in The Producers. He is a two-time WATCH Award winner and can be seen in several films and commercial roles.

Meet the Cast (continued)

Patricia Nicklin (Princess Dragomiroff) is delighted to join this wonderful production and to be a princess! Pat returns to the LTA stage for the fifth time, having performed as Lettice in Lettice and Lovage; as Mama Murphy in Bright Star; as Pamela in A Fox on the Fairway; and as Mrs. Montague in The Haunting of Hill House. Recent favorite roles in DC are Passepartout in Around the World in 80 Days (TTL) and Dolley Madison in The Republic for Which We Stand (STF). Pat lives in Alexandria and is proud to be a member of her community theatre.

John Paul Odle (Colonel Arbuthnot/Man Voiceover) is an Alexandria native and Providence College graduate and is delighted to be under the guiding eye of Stefan Sittig at LTA! Previous credits include Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van (LTA), Mary Stuart (LTA), As You Like It (NOVA Nightsky), Blue Stockings (LTA), Picnic (NOVA Nightsky), The Precious Scars and Gold and Cocaine (LTA One Acts), A Few Good Men (LTA), Bus Stop (ACCT), The Nance (LTA), The Count of Monte Cristo (ACCT) and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (LTA)

Julia Rudgers (Greta Ohlsson/Nanny Voiceover) is thrilled to be part of the cast of Murder on the Orient Express! Recent credits: Anna in Rags (Mason Players) and Haley in Really, Really (Mason Players). Originally from Tampa Bay, Florida, she is happy to call the DMV her home. Julia is a recent graduate of George Mason University’s School of Theatre (B.F.A.).

Eleanore Tapscott (Helen Hubbard) is a NOVA-based actor/ director. Recent acting credits include Mrs. Dickson, Intimate Apparel (Maryland Ensemble Theatre), Dogberry, Much Ado About Nothing (Grassroots Shakespeare), Madame LeBrun, The Awakening and Dr. Caius, The Merry Wives of Windsor (Endangered Species Theatre) and Harriet, Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van (LTA). Directing credits include a staged reading of Pass Over (DS), The Nacirema Society… (LTA), Playing Juliet, Casting Othello (PP), The Bluest Eye (DS) and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (CP).

THE LITTLE THEATRE 2024/2025 SEASON

JUL. 20 – AUG. 10, 2024

This hit musical is loosely based on the story of Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJs to play black music in the 1950s. A mixture of soul, blues, jazz, and rock ‘n roll, surrounded by racial tension and rivalries.

AUG. 31 – SEP. 21, 2024

Set in 19th Century London, this delightful farce depicts the chaos that ensues when a woman tries to gain entry to a fictional club of explorers. Lots of silly gags, tricks, and physical comedy.

OCT. 19 – NOV. 9, 2024

The Broadway musical based on the Gothic novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, follows a London-based legal practitioner who investigates a series of strange events involving his friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll and a murderous criminal named Edward Hyde.

FEB. 8 – MAR. 1, 2025

Roald Dahl’s

THE MUSICAL

The delightful musical tale of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a sharp mind and a vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.

Much Ado AboUT NOTHINGShakespeare’s

A comedy by William Shakespeare, this play revolves around two romantic pairings that emerge when a group of soldiers arrives in town. The play relies on tensions created by a paradoxical use of deception by its characters.

During the performance of a play-within-a-play, a plethora of disasters befall the cast and crew, including doors sticking, props falling, and floors collapsing. Cast members misplace props, forget lines, break character, and experience hilarious situations.

Here’s the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.

Meet the Crew (in alphabetical order)

Alisa Beyninson (Co-Wardrobe Coordinator) has a special place in her heart for murder mysteries because Dial M for Murder in 2013 was her first wardrobe experience at LTA (under the tutelage of the inimitable Margaret Snow). Since then, she occasionally helped out with props (Avenue Q, Caught in the Net) but focuses on the special chaos of wardrobe. Alisa appreciates the opportunity to work with the talented cast and crew of Murder on the Orient Express.

Luana Bossolo (Co-Producer) is a longtime LTA member, having produced and assistant produced several shows, including Freaky Friday, A Fox on the Fairway, The Fabulous Lipitones and To Kill a Mockingbird. She has been painting LTA sets since 2010 and currently serves as Co-Chair of the paint department. Recent sets include Mary Stuart and Something Rotten!, for which she received WATCH nominations. She is also the recipient of two LTA Excellence in Set Painting Awards for Something Rotten! and The Full Monty.

Kacie Carlyle (Co-Set Dressing), a huge Agatha Christie fan, is delighted to decorate for this show. Thanks to producers Kadira and Luana for the opportunity to geek out on the Art Deco details of the world’s most famous train. Thanks also to co-set decorator Kathy for her hard work and wonderful ideas, and to MYKE for being a great mentor.

Kadira Coley (Co-Producer) is delighted to be working at LTA again. She has been very involved with LTA, including currently serving as Governor of Membership, acting onstage, designing hair and makeup, producing and stage managing. Kadira has been nominated for awards by both WATCH and LTA for her hair designs. She works for the City of Alexandria and sings with the Alexandria Singers. Kadira is thankful for everyone in her village and sends love to her angel-in-heaven, Chin.

Ken and Patti Crowley (Lighting Design) are excited to be working with such a great team at LTA. Their most recent designs include LTA’s Annie, Young Frankenstein, Sister Act and Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van; RCP’s Avenue Q, A Little Night Music and Aida; PWLT’s Olive and The Sound of Music; DS’s Torch Song Trilogy, Brute Farce and Last Summer at Bluefish Cove; and TAP’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other noteworthy designs include Curtains, Picnic, The Secret Garden, The Will Rogers Follies, Widdershins, Das Barbecü, The Teahouse of the August Moon and I Hate Hamlet. They are the recipients of numerous awards, including LTA, RCP, FCT and WATCH Awards for their lighting designs.

Shannon Doyle (Co-Set Painting) is excited to be co-painting for Murder on the Orient Express. As an LTA Patron since 2010, she has had the pleasure to work in a number of jobs behind and in front of the scenes as an usher, house manager, builder and painter. It has been a pleasure collaborating with the many talented builders and painters of LTA. This season, Shannon painted and built sets for Freaky Friday; Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van; Young Frankenstein; A Christmas Carol, and now Murder on the Orient Express.

Brianna Goode (Fight Captain)—See Cast bio.

Jennifer Hardin (Co-Stage Manager) Theatre has been a part of Jennifer’s life for almost 25 years, with experience in every aspect. Some of Jennifer’s favorite productions have included: ’night, Mother; Girl in the Mirror; Clue; Leading Ladies; Adam’s Eve; 42nd Street; Ragtime; The Rocky Horror Show; Verdict; Love from a Stranger; A Wrinkle in Time, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. However, Jennifer is excited and honored to have Murder on the Orient Express be her debut with The Little Theatre of Alexandria. This show has been on her bucket list for years. Although Jennifer’s friends and family live in other states, their support is always present and appreciated.

Meet the Crew

Jim Hutzler (Co-Set Construction) has worked on many LTA sets as master carpenter and set construction crew, often alongside the set painting of his wife, Mary. Recent WATCH Award nominations with co-builder Jeff Nesmeyer include Young Frankenstein, Something Rotten! and Design for Murder. Thanks to all those volunteers who make LTA the special place that it is.

Pam Leonowich (Master Electrician) has worked on over 130 consecutive shows at LTA. She is proud to follow in the theatre footsteps of her mother, who managed and designed productions for the troops during World War II with the British Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). She is happy to be working with light designers Ken and Patti Crowley. Special thanks to our dedicated light crew.

Matt Liptak (he/him) (Set Design, Photographer) has designed, painted and dressed sets across the DMV for the last eight years at LTA, RCP, DS and WAC. Murder on the Orient Express marks Liptak’s 13th set design at LTA. His scenic design work has been recognized multiple times by both the WATCH Awards and the LTA Awards. Notable shows include Bright Star, Fences, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Who’s Tommy, The Revolutionists, Dracula, Harvey and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Liptak thanks Kieran and Branson for their constant love and support.

Julia Lisowski (Properties Design) This is Julia’s first production with LTA, and she is excited to be joining the team. Julia recently received her M.F.A. in Properties Technology from Ohio University. She has studied and worked in theater for over a decade, with Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Rose Theater, Shenandoah Summer Music Theater and others, and she will be returning to the Utah Shakespeare Festival this summer as a properties artisan. Julia wants to thank her amazing husband and parents for all of their support as well as her wonderful dog assistant, Sadie.

Alden Michels (Dialect Coach) (he/him) is an actor, singer and director who has performed at First Stage, WAC and The Kennedy Center as well as numerous community theatre companies. He previously served as dialect coach for Shakespeare in Hollywood (VTC), Brute Farce (DS), Boston Marriage (DS), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (RCP), A Christmas Carol (LTA) and Newsies (TAP). He lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife and two cats.

Kathy Murphy (Co-Set Painting/Co-Set Dressing) says it is nice to use all of those art classes. She has been set painting with LTA for over nine years on productions including Young Frankenstein, Freaky Friday, A Fox on the Fairway, A Christmas Carol and more. Kathy is pleased to work with the talented Shannon Doyle and the MOTOE production teams to bring Murder on the Orient Express to LTA.

Jeff Nesmeyer (Co-Set Construction) is pleased to be working again with Jim Hutzler and the talented group of set construction volunteers. He has been involved in set builds at LTA, PCP and DS since 2006. He was nominated for six WATCH Awards. He has won LTA Excellence in Set Construction Awards for Harvey, Dracula, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Something Rotten!. Jeff thanks LTA for their confidence in his carpentry abilities, Jim for his camaraderie and his wife, Diane, for her support.

Larissa Norris (Hair and Makeup Design) has been active in a variety of roles both on- and off-stage in the DMV theatre scene for the past 14 years. She has won WATCH Awards for her makeup designs for The Producers (LTA), Time Stands Still (RCP) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (TAP). Larissa is excited to work with this creative team and with this fabulous cast!

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Meet the Crew (continued)

Caitlin O’Leary (Co-Stage Manager) is excited to be stage managing her third show with LTA. Caitlin has been working with theatre companies for over a decade. She has worked backstage for TAP, Hexagon, RLT and BP, with most of her time spent with BP. Although she loves every opportunity she gets to work backstage, in her free time she can usually be seen hanging out with (aka babysitting) kids of all ages, her other passion.

Janice Rivera (Sound Design) Sound design credits include: Anton in Show Business (TAP); Wednesdays in Mississippi (Pipeline Playwrights); Mary Stuart, The Haunting of Hill House (WATCH nomination), Dracula (WATCH Award), Spamalot (WATCH nomination), Cantorial (WATCH nomination) and Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van (LTA); and The Best Worst that Can Happen and Death by Design (ACCT).

Jean Schlichting and Kit Sibley (Co-Costume Design) are excited to costume this iconic murder mystery! They have costumed many shows at LTA, most recently Young Frankenstein and The Nacirema Society, and have received a number of LTA and WATCH Awards and nominations over the years. Working with this incredibly talented cast and crew has been a creative dream. Many thanks to Stefan, Kadira and Luana for inviting us aboard this amazing ride!

Celebrating Many Years Creating Graphics for The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Simmons Design creates promotional materials that help your company grow. 703-965-3910

Meet the Crew

Stefan Sittig (Director/Fight Choreographer) is an award-winning director and choreographer, half Uruguayan and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His creative work has been seen in 100-plus productions including in New York City, internationally, regionally and in the DC area. Directing credits include: Volver/Return, Church & State, Mothers and Sons (Broadway World Award Nomination Best Direction), Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (Broadway World Award Best Direction), Trabajadores (the world premiere of the Spanish version of Working), Anything Goes (at LTA), Red Hot & Cole and Jerry’s Girls. He recently directed/choreographed Xanadu for Workhouse Arts Center, receiving a Helen Hayes Award nomination as well as Broadway World Award nominations for Best Direction, Best Choreography and Best Musical. Stefan is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) and the Latinx Theatre Commons. This one is for Mom.

Art Snow (Special Effects) is pleased to be working with the talented director, producers, cast and crew. Plots from Agatha Christie’s books always play well on stage and are fun to support with guns and fog. In Murder on the Orient Express, these items contribute with the former enhancing a mystery and the latter, in addition to a physical presence, representing a haze that investigative logic penetrates to solve the mystery. The solution is particularly surprising in this show.

Robin Worthington (Co-Wardrobe Coordinator) is delighted to organize the crew to dress the cast of Murder on the Orient Express. Co-Chair of LTA’s Wardrobe Committee, Robin has been a wardrobe mistress, assisting challenging quick changes behind the scenes for LTA plays, and has collaborated with local costumers to dress actors in many theaters and schools since 2015, most recently LTA’s Mary Stuart. A Ph.D. in Biology, she is retired from implementing FDA international food safety initiatives, teaching in universities and high schools, assisting personal injury legal cases and organizing international scientific conferences.

Meet the Crew (continued)

Russell M. Wyland (Rigging) has been a member of LTA since 1990. During these years, he has volunteered for box office, front of house, construction, special effects and many more. He has co-produced almost 25 productions at LTA, including the musicals Something Rotten!, Spamalot and Young Frankenstein. He has won WATCH Awards for outstanding musical, set dressing and special effects. Russ served seven terms as LTA President and 10 terms as a Governor. He currently serves on the LTA Board of Financial Trustees. And finds time to hang rigging.

The Playwright

Ken Ludwig has had six productions on Broadway and eight in London’s West End. His 34 plays and musicals are staged around the world and throughout the United States every night of the year.

His first play, Lend Me a Tenor, won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century” by The Washington Post. Crazy For You is currently running on London’s West End. It was previously on Broadway for five years, on the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical.

In addition, he has won the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theatre, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Charles MacArthur Award, and the Edgar Award for Best Mystery of the Year. His other plays include Moon Over Buffalo, Leading Ladies, Baskerville, Sherwood, Twentieth Century, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, A Fox on the Fairway, A Comedy of Tenors, The Game’s Afoot, Shakespeare in Hollywood and Murder on the Orient Express. They have starred, among others, Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Kristen Bell, Tony Shaloub, Joan Collins and Henry Goodman.

His book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare, published by Penguin Random House, won the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book of the Year, and his essays on theatre are published in the Yale Review. He

Meet the Crew

Meet the Crew

gives the Annual Ken Ludwig Playwriting Scholarship at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and he served on the Board of Governors for the Folger Shakespeare Library for ten years. His first opera, Tenor Overboard, opened at the Glimmerglass Festival in July 2022. His most recent world premieres were Lend Me A Soprano and Moriarty, and his newest plays and musicals include Pride and Prejudice Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley and Lady Molly of Scotland Yard.

His plays include commissions from the Agatha Christie Estate, the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Old Globe Theatre, and the Bristol Old Vic. For more information visit www.kenludwig.com.

Theater Abbreviations Used in LTA Playbills

ACCT – Aldersgate Church Community Theater

ACT – Alliance of Community Theaters

ACT – Alexandria Children’s Theatre

AP – Anacostia Playhouse

AS – Arena Stage

ASC – Annapolis Shakespeare Company

ASGT – Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre

BST – Baltimore Shakespeare Factory

CC – Creative Cauldron

CCP – Chevy Chase Players

CFTC – City of Fairfax Theatre Company

CPA– Colonial Players of Annapolis

CRT – Castaways Repertory Theatre

CT – Chalice Theater

DTC – Damascus Theatre Company

DS – Dominion Stage

ES – Encore Stage

ESP – Elden Street Players (now NST)

FCT – Fauquier Community Theatre

FP – Foundry Players (now CCDC)

CC – Creative Cauldron

FT – Ford’s Theatre

GAC – Greenbelt Arts Center

GFP – Great Falls Players (now MCP)

GMU – George Mason University

GSP – Good Shepherd Players

HBP – Hard Bargain Players

IS – Infinity Stage

JMU – James Madison University

KAT – Kensington Arts Theatre

KT – Keegan Theatre Company

LMP – Laurel Mill Playhouse

LTA – The Little Theatre of Alexandria

MCP – McLean Community Players

MP – Montgomery Playhouse

MTA – McLean Theatre Alliance (now MCP)

MVCCT – Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre

NNS – NOVA Nightsky Theater

NST – NextStop Theatre

NVP – Northern Virginia Players

NVTA – Northern Virginia Theatre Alliance

OTC – Olney Theater Center

OVT – Other Voices Theatre

PCP – Port City Playhouse

PGLT – Prince George’s Little Theatre

PPF – Providence Players of Fairfax

PTC – Potomac Theatre Company Inc.

PTP – Port Tobacco Players

PWLT – Prince William Little Theatre

RCP – Reston Community Players

RHT – Round House Theatre

RLT – Rockville Little Theatre

RMT – Rockville Musical Theatre

SCT – Springfield Community Theater

SMP – St Mark’s Players

SP – Sterling Playmakers

SSS – Silver Spring Stage

SST – Shoe String Theater

ST – Signature Theatre

STC – Shakespeare Theatre Company

STC – StageCoach Theatre Company

STF – Stonehill Theatrical Foundation

TACT – The American Century Theater

TAP – The Arlington Players

TAT – The Alliance Theatre

TBP – The British Players

TCP – Tantallon Community Players

TTL – The Theatre Lab

2FT – Second Flight Theatre

VC – Vpstart Crow

VTC – Vienna Theatre Company

WAC – Workhouse Arts Center

WATCH – Washington Area Theatre Community Honors

WOB – Way Off Broadway

ZS – Zemfira Stage

ACVA

The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s)’s rights and actionable under United States Copyright Law.

Public Relations Staff

Publicity

Fred C. Lash

Graphics Simmons Design

Playbill Editor Carol Hutchinson

Playbill Coordinator Bobbie Herbst

For information concerning Playbill advertising, please call 703-683-5778.

FUTURE AUDITIONS AT THE LITTLE THEATRE OF ALEXANDRIA

Memphis

The Musical

Producer Eleanore Tapscott and Director Rikki Howie Lacewell are pleased to announce auditions for Memphis

Audition Dates: Sunday, April 28, 2024 and Monday, April 29, 2024

Callbacks: Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Performance Dates: July 20 – August 10, 2024

Additional information will be posted on www.thelittletheatre.com under Auditions

Memphis is presented by special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide

Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro; Music and Lyrics by David Bryan

Thank You!

LTA wishes to recognize and thank all of the volunteers who have given their time and talents by helping with house managing, ushering, or working in the box office for our previous production of Annie.

Box Office Volunteers

Clare Bisceglia

Lloyd Bittinger

Lynn Cook

Martha Deal

Sara Deshong-Rojas

Lisa Eskew

Ron Field

Ira Forstater

Amy Goff

Patricia Gonzalez

Front of House Volunteers

Amy

Genie Baskir

Luana Bossolo

Dee Brown

Kadira Colley

Rita Costello

Leslie S. Denault

Mikaela Dixon

Shannon Doyle

Debra Eonta

Florence Ferraro

Ira Forstater

Jean Frane

Bev Gearing

Amy Halvorsen

Chas Harris

Rebecca Harrison

Barbara Hayes

Latonya Henry

Hayle Hightower

Eric S. Jewitt

Jeanne Louise

Meredith Ludwig

Brianna McCall

Brittany Huffman

Caterina Lillis

Meredith Ludwig

Laura Peterson

Glen McDonald

Susan McFadden

Debby McHail

Rex McHail

Suzette Manduley

Kurt Miller

Monty Montgomery

Madelaine Morgan

Christina Nahi

Tuknekah Noble

Rachel

Edna Rogers

Page Dreher Schreiner

Peter Henry Smeallie

Alison Tregea

Steven Wright

Susan Ross

Kim Ryan

Michaela Sharpe

Patricia Skinner

Sharon Steeg

Raquel Tomlin

Arlene Tredeau

Veronica

Erika Walker

Jenny Williams

Tescia Yonkers

Founding Fathers

Anonymous

NOV./DEC. 2023-2024 DONORS

Michael & Niki Bennett

Christopher Feldmann and Laura Beauchamp

Barron P. Hall, DVM

Marion Holmes

The Hurcke Family Foundation

Zell Murphy & Mark Wesson

Micheal O’Connor

In Memory of Robert C. Odle, Jr.

Vivienne Stewart

Mila Weiss and Monty Montgomery

Continental Congress

Geoff and Genie Baskir

Burke and Herbert Bank

Kacie Carlyle

Franklin C. Coleman

Paula Coupe

Doll Family

Mary Hunstad and Peter O’Konski

James and Catherine Kelley

Melissa Neilson and Edward Yawn

Jeff and Diane Nesmeyer

Donna and Mark Samblanet

Howard and Marg Soroos

Andrew Terrell and Megan Waterhouse

Patriots

Anonymous x 2

Michael & Phyllis Bayer

Luana Bossolo

Dorothy Cass

Rob Doerschner

Bob Gronenberg

Freida LaChapelle

James A. McAtamney

Woodrow Paik

Kent, Gail, and Elizabeth Repogle

David and Jennifer Schmidt

Mary Beth

Smith-Toomey

Adrian Steel

Susan Swain

Alexandrian

Anonymous x 4

Dr. and Mrs. James Alper

Michaela and Brad Duty

Elizabeth Blake

Barbara Brenman

Lesley Buckles

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Carden

Cope Family

David Correia

Patricia C. Cosler

Ira Forstater and Robin Fradkin

Tony Gilbert

Molly Gimmel

Barbara Hayes

In honor of Peter Fannon

Kevin Ferrell & Anika Mercier

Wendy and Doug John

Micaela and Patrick Jones

The Livingston Family

Donna Reynolds

In Memory of Kenneth E. Stroud

Jim & Jean Schlichting

Anne Shively

Robert Spivey

Alison M. Tregea

Edward Walker and Barbara Kurlansik

Sandra Welch

GIVING

Minutemen

Anonymous x 9

Jim Brown

Joan Burg

Brendan and Lee Dunn

Jeffrey A. Fabian

Marianne Ferrell

Justin Hall

Lora Katz

Pam Leonowich

Terri McGinnis

Carlos R. Moctezuma

Jessie & Jon Roberts

Paul Slagle

Barbara Slavick

Amy Smith

Carol Starke

Chris Tomasino (in memory of) x 2

Evelyn Watson

Colonists

Anonymous x 10

Mike and Terri Chaves

Karen Carey

Philip and Rebecca Carpio

Kevin Dua

Andrew and Diane Durant

Sullivan Foltz

Joyce Gillogly

Tal and Darin George

Rafael Lima

Emily and Scott Yinger

Every effort has been made to ensure that this list of contributors is correct and complete as of the date this program went to press. If your name has been omitted or misspelled, please accept our apologies and inform us of the error so that the correction can be made.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution online, visit www.thelittletheatre.com and click on opportunities, then donations. You may also contact the business office at 703-683-5778, ext. 2 and donate by phone.

In case of an emergency, LTA has three AEDs (automated external defibrillators)

They are located as follows:

1. in the lobby, near the Council Green Room

2.

3.

The Council of The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Rachael Hubbard............................................................................................................................. Director

Margaret Chapman ................................................................................................................ Vice Director

Donna Hauprich .............................................................................................................................Secretary

Lloyd Bittinger* Financial Officer

Frank D. Shutts II ........................................................................... Honorary Member, LTA President

Beth Adler

Jay Bartol

Genie Baskir

Beverley Benda

Thomas Bethards

Jamie Blake

Luana Bossolo

Lesley Buckles

Madeline Byrd

Paul Caffrey

Kacie Carlyle

Dorothy Cass

Shah Choudhury

Franklin C. Coleman

Kadira Coley

David Correia

Rita Costello

Kimberly Crago

Rachel Dixon

Paul Donahoe

Sharon Rochelle Dove*

Joel D. Durgavich

Joan Evans

Margaret Evans-Joyce

Peter M. Fannon*

Christopher Feldmann

Stuart Fischer

Ira Forstater

Barbara Gertzog

Gary & Suzan Gladstone

Duane Goddard*

David B. Hale*

Ronald Hardcastle

Barbara H. Hayes

John Henderson

Joanna Henry

Bobbie Herbst

Katie Beth Hicks

Kira Hogan

Marian Holmes*

Anne Julian

Algis & Suzanne Kalvaitis

Judith Kee*

Janet Kennelly

Meredith Kirchner

Roberta Klein

Suha Kudsieh

Nicole Lamberson

Kirk Lambert

Fred C. Lash

Caterina Vitoria Lillis

Karen Maline

Arie McSherry

Zell Murphy II

Diedre Nicholson-Lamb

Patricia B. Nicklin

C. Lynn O’Connell

Micheal J. O’Connor

Aracely Ode

Emilie Pade

Eddie Page

Jayn Rife

Angela Roach

Benjamin Robles

Steven Rosenthal

Heather Sanderson

Jean Schlichting

Margo Shiffert

Anne Shively

Patricia Skinner

Patricia Spencer Smith

Kim Smith-Salmon

Mary Beth Smith-Toomey*

Wendy Sneff

Arthur & Margaret Snow

Howard & Marg Soroos

sheri ratick stroud

Myke Taister

Alison Tregea

Jean Vita

Jeffery Westlake

Rance R. Willis*

Frank & Carolyn Winters

Russell M. Wyland*

Kenneth P. Zabielski

Janice Zucker

* Distinguished Member Rev 2.27.24

The Council of the Little Theatre of Alexandria is a group of dedicated members who support financial projects for the theatre and provide numerous social events with dinners, receptions, and other member gatherings. The Council promotes and supports volunteerism throughout the theatre to ensure continued success in all areas, i.e., backstage, front of house, box office, etc.; we also provide need-based scholarship funding to support numerous adult and youth educational programs within the theatre. The Council is proud to sponsor the Shakespeare Garden which has become a community favorite with many stopping in just to relax and “waste my time in it.”