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Arts & Entertainment

Masuk Theater Department Debuts Agatha Christie Play

Suspense thrills audiences this weekend as "killer" is revealed.

Enhanced lighting and sound effects are likely to keep audiences on the edge of their seat this weekend as the curtain rises for Agatha Christie’s murder mystery, And Then There Were None.

Performances are Thursday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2, at 8 p.m.

This classic “who dunnit” is directed on Masuk High School’s stage by Michael Crowley, 7-12 Language Arts Coordinator for Monroe Schools.

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Crowley stated, “There is so much to love with a play like And Then There Were None. The play is brilliantly constructed and truly keeps the audience guessing. Also, Christie is a master of including touches of comedy in a work that is really rather tragic at its heart.”

Leading the cast are Jon Garrity and Samm Wesler, members of the senior class. Local audiences will remember Jon as Prince Charming in last season’s musical spectacular, Cinderella. Although he enjoys performing in musicals, Jon, 18, pointed out that this play’s small ensemble is conducive to honing one’s acting chops. “It’s exciting to go from a play that’s a fairy tale to one where you’re using guns,” Jon smiled. “However, when you work in a small group, it’s easier to get into your character.” 

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Samm agreed. “It’s nice to get more time with Mr. Crowley to work on your role,” she said.

Crowley said he encouraged his actors to add dimension to their characters through a technique called “layering.”

“It is very easy to play them as stereotypes,” Crowley said. “However, by using Christie’s text, we were able to discover how the characters’ past sins inform who they are onstage.”    

An accomplished ballet and modern dancer, Samm, 18, has also appeared in several Masuk productions. Both Masuk seniors are waiting to hear from various colleges this week; Jon plans on studying acting and Samm is majoring in dance.

Both are looking forward to Thursday night’s opening night.  

Elissa Fredeen, who portrays a maid, appreciates the intricate sound effects that enhance the overall production. “Our show has a real musical underscore that gives that illusion of a real 1960’s murder mystery,” she noted. The look and feel of the early 1960’s is also exemplified in the set and costumes, Crowley added.

He said, “The play dictates that the island mansion was recently built in the modern style by an American millionaire, so we went with the clean lines of Palm Springs in the late 50s/early 60s. I’m thrilled with the final product.”

Beginning at Jockey Hollow Middle School, Elissa, 18, has actively participated in school productions. For the past two years, Elissa has also been involved with the Connecticut Free Shakespeare’s shows, which are staged outdoors at Bridgeport’s Beardsley Zoo.

Last spring Elissa spearheaded a benefit show at Masuk to support earthquake victims in Haiti. Staging The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged with a three-person cast, Elissa raised $605.” One of her actors was Jesse Schwartz, 16, who also appears in this weekend’s Agatha Christie murder mystery.

After delivering a humorous portrayal as one of Cinderella’s step-sisters last fall, Jesse plays a “twenty-something, carefree womanizer” in this play. “I really like the show,” he said. “I really like the set and interesting special effects.”

Elissa said the show’s technical elements utilize the auditorium’s capabilities.

Though Jesse had heard of the play before auditions were announced, he hadn’t read the script or book. Amina Ali, 16, whose character is “an older, religious woman,” said she’s read some Agatha Christie novels. “Everyone knows who Agatha Christie is,” she smiled.

Like Jon and Jesse, Amina appeared in “Cinderella, as the Queen, and has enjoyed being part of the spring drama production. “I like the people working on it,” Amina said.

And Then There Were None is produced by Tracy Forstrom with assistance by Julia Strong. Members of the technical staff are scenic design, Deighna DeRiu; lighting design, Dave Spence; costumes, Lois Spence; set construction, Mike Cercone; stage manager, Caroline Hron-Weigle, and assistant stage manager, James Canal.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Reservations could be made by calling (203) 452-5823, ext. 7122. Tickets are also available for purchase at the door.

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