October 11 - November 17, 2018
Death by Design
by Rob Urbinati
Directed by Roberto Guajardo
Starring
Rhonda Hallquist as Bridgit
Jonathan Heras as Jack
Christopher Moseley as Edward
Missie Scheffman as Sorel
Michael Woodson as Walter
Tyler West as Eric
Roxanne Harley as Victoria
Emily Gates as Alice
Bree Boyd as Sorel (understudy)
ABOUT THE PLAY
A mix of Noël Coward wit and Agatha Christie plot. Set in an English country manor in 1932, playwright Edward Bennet and his wife, the actress Sorel Bennett, flee London and head to Cookham after a disastrous opening night. Their quiet weekend dissolves as various guests arrive unexpectedly, each with a long-held secret. When one of the guests is murdered, it’s left to Bridgit, the feisty Irish maid with a macabre interest in homicide, to solve the crime. This play is more than an homage—it's a new classic. But don’t expect this play to unlock the mystery to designing the perfect murder—unless the weapon of choice is laughter.
“Death by Design” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
PERFORMANCES
October 11 - November 17, 2018
Previews: October 11 and 12 at 7:30 PM
Opening Night: Saturday, October 13 at 7:30 PM
Regular Performances:
Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights at 7:30 PM
Sunday Matinees at 3:00 PM
Special Closing Saturday Matinee on 11/17 at 3:00 PM
TICKETS
Previews & Thursday Tickets: $15
General Admission: $20
Students, Seniors 62+, & Military: $18
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
This play is set in 1932 on an English country estate. When a visiting Parliamentarian is discovered to be, shall we say, less than alive, the remaining living souls on the property each prove to have a motive that could have led to the man’s demise. I invite you to follow this adventure fraught with whimsy and laughter. It is my hope you will relish each twist and turn of the plot. But please be wary of the red herrings scattered generously throughout.
- Roberto Guajardo, Director
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Rob Urbinati is a playwright, screenwriter, and author. Rob is a Literary Manager of The Private Theatre in New York, and Director of New Play Development at Queens Theatre. Rob is a member of the Dramatists Guild, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. He is best known for his adaptations of "Voices of a People’s History of the United States" and MISS JULIE IN HOLLYWOOD. Other works include KARAOKE NIGHT AT THE SUICIDE SHACK, and a musical called SHANGRI LA.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Karin Hupp (Props Master) has been the prop master for over three years; she also does scenic painting and box office. Some of her favorite projects included the wedding cake for ONE SLIGHT HITCH, the hound from BASKERVILLE, and the cookies from FROG AND TOAD. Favorite scenes she has painted include Dorothy Parker's "Vicious Circle" and the bookshelves in THE COLUMNIST. Karin enjoys working for LTW because it helps her grow as an artist.
Tyler West (Eric) is tickled pink to be making his Mainstage debut! You might have seen him in countless shows with the Family Series here at LTW or in several shows at Arizona Repertory Theatre. Tyler recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.F.A. degree in Acting. And since then he has traveled the country with his original one man physical comedy show titled ABEYANCE. This show has made an appearance at Etcetera, LTW's Late Night Series as well as won several awards at various Fringe Festivals across the nation. Tyler is very grateful for all the support from his Mom & Dad and dear friends for making his dreams become reality.
Brian McElroy (Sound Designer) - Essentially raised on the LTW stage, Brian migrated backstage following high school, drawn by the intricacies of technical production. He is very humbled to be a part of Tucson's vibrant theatre scene, contracting as a light designer, sound designer, or stage manager for over half a dozen theatre companies in the past few years. You are most likely, however, to find him stage managing or designing at the place that nurtured his theatre education -- LTW. He is currently the tech guy for LTW's Etcetera series. Most recently he has done sound design for LTW's EVERY BRILLIANT THING, THE EFFECT, MISS WITHERSPOON, HOUND OF BASKERVILLE, ANNAPURNA, and Roadrunner's GOD OF CARNAGE.
Bree Boyd (Sorel understudy) is so pleased to be performing in DEATH BY DESIGN at Live Theatre Workshop! Past credits in Arizona include: MISS WITHERSPOON, SPACEMAN ZERO, THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES, MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, and PRINCESS AND THE PEA at LTW; LET’S LIVE A LITTLE and INDOOR/OUTDOOR at IT; LEARNING A-Z RAZ TEACHER; PYXHEALTH App- and more. Bree earned B.A. degrees in Speech Communication, Psychology, and Fine Arts in Acting in Louisiana, and continues to follow her passion for performing here in the metro-Tucson area. She is grateful to her loved ones, and LTW cast and crew family, for their unending support.
Richard Gremel (Lighting Designer) has been lighting up the LTW stage for the past 12 years. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona where he received a B.F.A. in Theatre Education. Richard is the acting and technical theatre teacher at Empire High School. He is the recipient of the 2017-2018 Arizona Thespians Teacher of the Year. Aside from tech and teaching, Richard acts, directs, and writes plays for the LTW stage. He currently has eight published plays which have been seen all over the United States, Canada, India, Hong Kong, and Australia.
Jason Jamerson (Scenic Designer) - Broadway: Assistant Scenic Designer for ANGELS IN AMERICA and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, and the National Tours of BRIGHT STAR, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and LOVE NEVER DIES. Off Broadway: Scenic Designs for Playwrights Horizons, The Atlantic, The Cherry Lane Theatre, and many others. Jason taught Scenic Design at Columbia Preparatory School in Manhattan for seven years, has worked with the International Schools' Theatre Association, and has collaborated with several other local organizations, including the Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre and TEDx Tucson. He is a third year master’s degree candidate in Scenic Design at the University of Arizona.
Roxanne Harley (Victoria) has previously appeared in LTW productions of THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, THE CEMETERY CLUB, THE FOREIGNER, THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH and as Gertrude in LTW Etcetera’s production of HAMLET. She has performed with Invisible Theater in LET”S LIVE A LITTLE; Winding Road Theater Ensemble all female version of JULIUS CAESAR and UNITED; Borderlands Theater production of WHITE TIE BALL and BLIND DATE; Beowulf Theater productions of SEASCAPE and HUMBLE BOY; Rogue Theater productions of THE BALCONY, THE DEAD, THE GOOD WOMAN OF SETZUAN; and AZ Onstage production of STEEL MAGNOLIAS.
Jonathan Heras (Jack) is excited to be a part of his first LTW mainstage show. Previously he has had the pleasure to be a part of the LTW's family shows such as DIA DE LOS MUERTOS, RAPUNZEL, CINDERELLA and GRAND CANYON MYSTERY. He is thrilled to work with such a great cast and crew. He would like to take this chance to thank his beautiful and loving wife Ericka for embarking on this life long journey with him.
Emily Gates (Alice) is so excited to be working with Live Theatre Workshop again as apart of this incredible production of DEATH BY DESIGN, and to have to opportunity to bring the character of Alice to life! Emily is in her sophomore year at the University of Arizona getting her bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts. Some of Emily’s favorite roles include playing Mavis in the original one act MISOGYNISTIC SHOES at the Community Playhouse, Amanda in WOMEN IN JEOPARDY, The Littlest Nun in THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES at Live Theatre Workshop, Hermia in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and Lady Montague in ROMEO AND JULIET as a part of Tucson’s Shakespeare in the Park. Emily would like to thank her mother, father and older sister for always supporting her. Richard and Amanda Gremel for being amazing and supporting teachers to her, and the whole Live Theatre Workshop family for giving her this incredible opportunity. She would like to thank you for coming out to tonight's performance, Enjoy the show!
Roberto Guajardo (Director) - Roberto directed THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES and WOMEN IN JEOPARDY LAST season at LTW. He is grateful for the talent, dedication and generosity of spirit of the cast, crew and staff here at LTW. He is a member of A.E.A. and S.A.G. and has worked professionally in theatre, film, and television for over four decades. He has performed live in Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Seattle, San Jose, Kansas City, Pasadena, Albuquerque and Denver. Roberto is honored to have been the recipient of the 2008 TPAC ‘Lumie’ Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to the arts.
Michael F. Woodson (Walter Pearce) has been appearing on Tucson stages since 1969. His most recent appearance at LTW was in Miracle on 34th St. in 2016. He spent the summer of 1975 performing in summer stock with The Southbury Playhouse in Connecticut and The Top of the Court Dinner Theatre on Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, Massachusetts. His favorite roles include Will Hewitt in SANCTUARY at Borderlands Theater Company, Peter Grimm in PETER GRIMM'S GIFT at Roadrunner Theatre Company, and George Hay in MOON OVER BUFFALO at Live Theatre Workshop. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, he was seen in the television series LEGEND and THE YOUNG RIDERS as well as the television movies GUNSMOKE III, TO THE LAST MAN, and GERONIMO. Commercial work includes Rawlings Radar Ball, The Arizona Lottery, and Bulls Eye BBQ Sauce. Michael spends his hours away from the Theater with his lovely wife, Kitty, gardening and taking care of their 2 dogs, 2 black cats and other assorted wildlife that happen by their home.
Christopher Moseley (Edward) earned his B.F.A from the University of Arizona and his M.F.A from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. He has appeared many times on the LTW stage, most recently in LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR and THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED]. Other plays Chris has been seen in include THE COCKTAIL HOUR, BEAU JEST, CLOUD NINE and BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE. Chris also made his directorial debut last year with BASKERVILE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY. Chris is the full time Theater Arts director at Catalina High School.
Rhonda Hallquist (Bridget) earned her BFA at the University of Arizona and has performed with several Tucson theater companies over the years. At LTW, most recently she played Mary in WOMEN IN JEOPARDY. Favorite LTW roles include “Emma” in ANNAPURNA (2017 Mac Award Nominee - Actress, Drama), “Fay” in LOOT (2014 Mac Award Nominee - Best Actress, Comedy), “Myra” in REGRETS ONLY, “Rachel” in RECKLESS (2011 Mac Award nominee - Best Actress), and “Lane” in THE CLEAN HOUSE (2010 Mac Award nominee - Best Actress, Comedy).
Suzanne Cipra (Production Stage Manager) is happy to be on the crew for Death by Design. This is Suzanne’s 8th show at LTW as a stage manager. Some of the shows she has stage managed at LTW include THE GAME’S AFOOT or HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS, ONE SLIGHT HITCH, SIC, and most recently, WOMEN IN JEOPARDY. Suzanne has a B.A. in Theatre and Speech from Cornell College. Suzanne would like to thank her family for being so supportive!
Marchus Lewis (Assistant Stage Manager) is honored to be a part of the Live Theatre Workshop family in this wonderful company of DEATH BY DESIGN. Above all, he is committed to a life in theatre as a means of participating in the artistic dialog that is so vital to the health of any society, and especially ours. For the past four years he has been attending college as a Pima student and has required skills in both tech and production in shows. Some of Marchus’s favorite productions that he has been involved with include shows like SPAMALOT, LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, & 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, BLITHE SPIRIT, and IN THE HEIGHTS. Thank you for supporting local theatre.
Chloe Loos (Costumer) is a dramaturg, director, playwright, designer, and facilitator who is passionate about new play development and audience inclusiveness. For more information on her upcoming projects, please see chloeloos.com.
Missie Scheffman (Sorel) is dedicated to her family including her 3 children and enjoys the hustle and bustle of life as a working soccer mom. Missie has a BFA in Theatre Production: Acting from the University of Arizona. Missie was last seen in WOMEN IN JEOPARDY at LTW where some of her favorite roles have been played in the shows MIRACLE ON 34th STREET, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST,and THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST. Missie has enjoyed the opportunity to direct LTW shows including A THOUSAND CLOWNS and the musical I DO, I DO. Missie thanks her family and friends for their continued support of her Theater habit!
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