the Community Players of Concord, NH / Press Releases
January 22, 2024 In Press Releases

Community Players of Concord, NH present Agatha Christie’s WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JANUARY 22, 2024

The Community Players of Concord NH present Agatha Christie’s WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION on February 16, 17 and 18 at Concord City Auditorium

Contact: Jim Webber, Community Players publicity

(603) 540-1117
jbw1026@aol.com

On Friday, February 16th, Saturday, February 17th and Sunday, February 18th, the Community Players of Concord NH will present Agatha Christie’s WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION at Concord City Auditorium. Part of the Community Players’ 96th Season, the famous Christie thriller is the most-performed courtroom drama and recognized as one of her greatest plays. Based on a short story the famous “Queen of Crime” wrote in 1925, the 1953 play covers a sensational murder trial both in the courtroom of London’s “Old Bailey” and behind the scenes in the barrister’s chambers as the action unfolds.

Christie’s plot involves a young man named Leonard Vole, who is charged with the murder of a wealthy older woman with whom he was involved in a questionable relationship. Believing the man to be innocent, barrister Sir Wilfred Robarts takes the case. When it’s revealed that the murder victim recently changed her will leaving her estate to Vole, the public interest escalates and Sir Wilfred questions his own judgment. Vole swears his foreign-born wife will support him in court, but when they learn that Mrs. Vole is still married to a husband living in Berlin, both defendant and lawyer realize their defense may be in jeopardy. Agatha Christie’s fascinating characters and bright (and often witty) dialogue become intense courtroom drama that reaches a thrilling finale which only begins with the jury’s verdict. “Miss Christie has got the audience in her pocket,” wrote the first night London critics, “the accomplished thriller writer has created a well-made, humorous, exciting case.”

Well-known for the 1958 film version with Charles Laughton and Marlene Dietrich, WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION has been presented on stage throughout the world, made twice for television, and the 2017 environmental London revival is still playing, six years later; “Guilty of being a great night out.”

The Community Players production, directed by Matt Mutrie and produced by Ron Bryson, features a full cast of 19 actors, including John Conlon (as Sir Wilfred Robarts), Garrison Garron (as Leonard Vole), Emilia Halstead (as Romaine Vole), Chris Connell (Myers), Peter Josephson (Mayhew), Dana Sakos (Inspector Hearne), and Valerie Kehr (as Justice Wainwright). The production is stage managed by Ross Gourvitz, with costumes by Suzanne Potoma, lighting by Ron Bryson, and set by Craig Walker. (Please note that due to the dramatic climax of this play, no one will be permitted to exit or re-enter the auditorium during the final 15 minutes of the performance.)

Performances are Friday, February 16 at 7:30 PM, Saturday, February 17 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, February 18 at 2:00 PM at Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., Concord. Tickets: communityplayersofconcord.org. $20 adults / $18 juniors/seniors. Theatre box office opens 90 minutes prior to each performance. Information: (603) 344-4747.

WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION show sponsor is Orr & Reno. The Community Players’ 96th Season is presented by Merrimack County Saving Bank.

 

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December 5, 2023 In Press Releases

THE COMMUNITY PLAYERS OF CONCORD, NH RECEIVES $50,000 MATCHING GIFT

December 4, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sharon Sweet, Volunteer Board Member

sesweet@comcast.net     (603) 491-5432

CONCORD –Christmas came early for The Community Players of Concord, NH. Last year a very generous, anonymous donor came forward to assist the group in setting up an investment fund that will help to ensure the continued longevity of the nearly 100 year-old organization .

The Players, one of New England’s oldest all-volunteer theatre companies, has been in existence since 1927 and over the course of ninety-six seasons has endured the most difficult of times: wars, the Great Depression, and most recently a pandemic. When asked about the key to their longevity, President Ellen Burger credits “the loyalty and generosity of the Concord community.”

The mentioned donor came forward in 2022 with a proposal to help the group establish an investment account containing a minimum of $100,000 that will remain invested to provide a source of continuing income through earnings and appreciation into the group’s “next 100 years,” according to Burger. To get the plan off the ground, the donor pledged a matching gift of $50,000, challenging the Players to raise the rest, meaning another $50,000, to claim all of the pledged funds.

The all-volunteer organization has named the effort “A Fund for the Players” and though they have already raised over half of what they need to meet the challenge, Burger says that “the work isn’t over until we hit the $50,000 fundraising mark, which we hope to do before our annual meeting in June 2024.” She added that “We are grateful to be a part of this wonderful community that has supported us for the past ninety-six years and we appreciate the support we are receiving for this exciting new initiative. Gifts to A Fund for the Players are an investment in the Players’ future that will provide substantial continuing support for us as we continue to deliver on our mission to encourage, foster and promote the participation by amateurs in all phases of the theatrical arts.”

Gifts to A Fund for the Players can be made at: www.communityplayersofconcord.org/fundfortheplayers/

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November 13, 2023 In Press Releases

Community Players’ THE SOUND OF MUSIC is a Family Affair — Nov. 17, 18, 19 at Concord City Auditorium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jim Webber, Community Players publicity                                                                                                                                                November 13, 2023

(603) 540-1117
jbw1026@aol.com

     The Sound of Music is a beloved family musical, enjoyed by multi-generations – and which introduced songs such as “Do Re Mi” and “My Favorite Things” to our families throughout the years and have been sung together in sing-alongs on road trips, in living rooms, nurseries and even assisted living facilities!

     The Community Players of Concord’s production of The Sound of Music brings all of these familiar tunes to the City Auditorium this week, while incorporating family both on stage and behind the scenes.  Perhaps more than any other time in the Players’ 96-Year history, the presence and the number of families involved, is exceptional – husbands, wives, parents and siblings all sharing the stage together.

     Shawn and Courtney Carmody bring their family’s long love of this show on stage together as Courtney plays a nun and Shawn plays the imperious Captain von Trapp, father of seven.  “Milk, bread, eggs and ‘The Sound of Music’ have been staples in our household ever since I can remember!” reflects Courtney, while Shawn learned his signature song, “Edelweiss” from his brother Joey who played it incessantly on his Fisher-Price record player.  Another family represented on stage: Maddie Short playing a nun and her dad Joe playing Admiral Von Schreiber.

     Long-time Community Player and local veterinarian, Donna Julian, plays Baroness Elberfeld and shares the stage with her daughter, Hannah McCauley, a kindergarten teacher, who plays Sister Sophia.  Her dad, Andy Julian, will be running the follow-spot for this current production.  Lisa Cohen is running curtains and “flying” scenery and her husband Mark is also on follow-spot.

     The Demers family are spending copious hours this week rehearsing at City Auditorium as a family.  Paula plays the Vienna socialite Elsa Shraeder, Captain von Trapp’s fianceé, and is joined by her husband Chris, a Concord educator, who plays Franz, the suspicious butler.  Daughter Katharine is part of the Nun Chorus as well as an integral part of the backstage crew making sure the beautiful set pieces are moved religiously.  Young actress Holly Keenan will also be on stage as Louisa von Trapp, while mom Natasha Reiner toils and trills in the Nun Chorus.

     Two very young actresses who are sure to steal your heart as the two youngest von Trapp children, Marta and Gretl, played by real-life sisters, Hazel and Violet Curran.  Both youngsters are already accruing an extensive resume of on-stage time in various local productions and their admiring parents have been heavily involved with a variety of important back stage tasks.

     Behind the scenes, the Bryson family of Warner are all-in with this production – husband and wife duo Ron and Beck are (respectively) designing and running lights and Beck is Stage Manager.  Their son, Parker, joins them this week to supervise the makeup transformation of the actors.

     The Sound of Music is all about family – in the book, on the stage and in the Community Players of Concord fall production for its 96th season!

     Performance dates and times: Friday, November 17th and Saturday, November 18th at 7:30 pm. Sunday, November 19th at 2:00 pm. Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince Street, Concord, NH. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for juniors/seniors. Tickets are available online at communityplayersofconcord.org or by calling (603) 344-4747. The theatre box office will be open 90 minutes before each performance.

     Merrimack County Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor for the Community Players’ 96th season. The Sound of Music is sponsored by Sanel-Napa Auto Parts company.  

     To learn more about the Community Players of Concord NH, go to communityplayersofconcord.org.

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October 20, 2023 In Press Releases

The Community Players of Concord, NH present the Classic Musical “The Sound of Music” on November 17, 18, 19 at Concord City Auditorium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Jim Webber, Community Players publicity

(603) 540-1117
jbw1026@aol.com  

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On Friday, November 17th and Saturday, November 18th at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, November 19th at 2:00 pm, The Community Players of Concord will present the classic musical The Sound of Music at Concord City Auditorium. The final musical by the famous team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, it was by far the most-requested show on a recent Players’ survey. 

Based on the memoir, The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp, the popular musical tells the story of an ebullient postulant who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. As the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and her new family make a life-changing decision. First brought to the stage in 1959, the book of the show was adapted by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, best known for Life With Father and Cole Porter’s Anything Goes. This stage musical, which introduced the songs “Do Re Mi,” “My Favorite Things” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” has played throughout the world before becoming one of the most popular movies of all time, winning the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1965. 

The Community Players production, which features a cast of 50 local actors on the City Auditorium stage, will be directed by Cindy Dickinson, who recently performed in two plays last season and stage managed The 39 Steps. She has directed numerous plays and musicals in the Peterborough area, including many at Conval High School, and has worked in many capacities at the Peterborough Players. Musical direction will be by Adam Boroskas, who conducted Sweeney Todd at the Audi in 2015, with choreography by Beth Fenske, who choreographed musical numbers in Spamalot and The Drowsy Chaperone for the Community Players. 

Playing the high-spirited postulant, Maria Rainer, who brings the sound of music to Villa Trapp, is Ally Thorpe, in her first Community Players’ role (her relatives have been involved with the group since the 1930s.) Captain von Trapp will be played by Shawn Carmody. The seven motherless von Trapps are played by Annie Lelio (Liesl), Tom Lott (Friedrich), Holly Keenan (Louisa), Max Yakubovich (Kurt), Abby Durell (Brigitta), Hazel Curren (Marta) and Violet Curren (Gretl.) Paula Demers and Glen Grimard portray Vienna sophisticates Baroness Elsa Schraeder and impresario Max Detweiler. Mother Abbess of Nonnberg Abbey will be performed by Dorothy Yanish, with Hannah McCauley (Sister Sophia), Lauren Matava (Sister Berthe) and Sheila Zakrie (Sister Margaretta) lending her their problem-solving support. Jagger Reep plays Rolf, the politically-minded telegraph messenger. 

This long-awaited Community Players’ production, with costumes by Lynn Head, sets by Jim Webber and lighting by Ron Bryson, will be staged managed by Beck Parker-Bryson and Barbara Woodman. The Brysons, Sally Kelly and Allwynne Fine handle the producing details of this large-cast musical. Merrimack County Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor for the Community Players’ 96th season, which will include Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution (February 2024) and Pride and Prejudice (May 2024).  The Sound of Music is sponsored by Sanel-Napa Auto Parts company. 

Performance dates and times: Friday, November 17th and Saturday, November 18th at 7:30 pm. Sunday, November 19th at 2:00 pm. Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince Street, Concord, NH. 

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for juniors/seniors. Tickets are available online at communityplayersofconcord.org or by calling (603) 344-4747. The theatre box office will be open 90 minutes before each performance. 

To learn more about the Community Players of Concord, NH, go to communityplayersofconcord.org. 

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October 13, 2023 In Press Releases

Community Players of Concord, NH’s Children’s Theatre Project Presents “Finding Nemo JR.”

For Immediate Release:

The Children’s Theatre Project at the Community Players of Concord, NH presents the much loved “Finding Nemo JR.” based on the 2003 Disney / Pixar film “Finding Nemo”, October 20th and 21st, 2023 at the Concord City Auditorium.

Contact:  Kirsten Smith        KirstenSmith3@icloud.com        (603) 219-4113

The Children’s Theatre Project at the Community Players of Concord, NH will be presenting the much-loved Finding Nemo JR. on Friday, October 20th at 7 pm and Saturday, October 21st at 2 pm.  Based on the 2003 Disney / Pixar film “Finding Nemo”, this 60-minute musical adaptation includes new music by award-winning Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and is sponsored by local Show Sponsors – The Grappone Automotive Group and Nathan Wechsler Accountants & Business Advisors.

Directed by Karen Braz and Music Director Tony Bonjorno, Finding Nemo JR. features Marlin (played by Connor Weeks), an anxious and over-protective clownfish who lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo (played by Hayley Corkum), who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home.  But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean.  With the help of loveable characters such as optimistic Dory (played by Elizabeth Vando), laid-back sea turtle Crush (played by Max Yakubovich), and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.

Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming”, “Fish are Friends Not Food”, and “Go with the Flow”, Finding Nemo JR. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.

The Children’s Theatre Project was founded in 1996 and provides opportunities for area youth to explore the wonderful world of theatre and learn more about acting, dancing, and singing.  Finding Nemo JR. is cast with 39 children who are led by Director and Founding Member of the CTP, Karen Braz, with Music Director, Tony Bonjorno, cultivating this music rich performance.   These talented and hardworking children rehearse up to 3 days a week in preparation for this family friendly performance.  In addition to learning their lines and choreography, the CTP provides a place for children to find a community of like-minded people who support and encourage growth.

Performance dates and times for “Finding Nemo JR.” are Friday, October 20th at 7:00 pm and Saturday, October 21st at 2:00 pm at the Concord City Auditorium.  Tickets are available now for purchase online at www.communityplayersofconcord.org for $15 or at the Box Office, which opens 90 minutes prior to each performance.  The Concord City Auditorium is located at 2 Prince Street, Concord NH (at the rear of Concord City Hall, 45 Green Street).

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July 15, 2023 In Press Releases

Sound of Music Audition Dates Announced

 

July 2023                                                                                                                                                                  Contact: Jim Webber, publicity (603) 540-1117

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Auditions for the Community Players’ Fall Musical! ~

The Beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein Classic “THE SOUND OF MUSIC”

     The Players’ Fall Musical will be the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic THE SOUND OF MUSIC – returning to the City Auditorium stage on November 17th, 18th, and 19th. Cindy Dickinson will direct the production, with musical direction by Adam Boroskas and choreography by Beth Fenske.

     Auditions for the show will take place August 13th & 14th for adults, and August 20th & 21st for youths (age 15 and under). For information about audition times, location, actor preparation and audition procedures, please see the Community Players website:  communityplayersofconcord.org/auditions.

     There are 8 leading women’s roles, including Mother Abbess, Baroness Shrader, Sisters of Nonnberg Abbey, Frau Schmidt, Liesel and Maria. There are 5 leading men’s roles including Captain Von Trapp, Max Detweiler, Franz, Herr Zeller and Rolf.  There are 4 leading girls roles (under 15) in the Von Trapp family. And there are 2 leading boys’ roles (under 15) in the family as well. The Ensemble will feature 5 men and 5 women – playing soldiers, nuns, friends and neighbors of the Von Trapps, citizens of Salzburg and folk musicians at the music festival. Please see the audition information on the website for a detailed cast breakdown. All roles are open and non-traditional casting options will be considered.

     Questions about the auditions can be answered by calling director Cindy Dickinson at (603) 924-1925 or sending her an email at cdcarolinablue@gmail.com.

Communityplayersofconcord.org/auditions

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April 4, 2023 In Press Releases

Community Players of Concord, NH Present the World Premiere Comedy “Not A Word” May 5, 6, 7 at Concord City Auditorium

CONTACT: JIM WEBBER  (603) 540-1117

The Community Players of Concord, NH wrap their 95th season with a world-premiere comedy written and directed by Wallace J. Pineault, “NOT A WORD.”  Pineault, who joined ‘The Players’ in 1975, has directed numerous plays and musicals for the group and over 50 plays at New England College, where he taught directing, acting and dramatic theory.  His sabbaticals in Hollywood working for a golden age casting director inspired this delightful and hilarious look back at the last years of silent movies over 100 years ago.

NOT A WORD takes place in a boarding house on a dusty side street off Hollywood Boulevard in the year 1920, when innocent Miriam Van Hiberhauser arrives and unpacks her dreams of becoming the next Mary Pickford on the silver screen.  Overwhelmed by a new world of dreamers and eccentrics, including a fortune-telling makeup artist, an ambitious young writer, a lecherous retired colonel and more – Miriam becomes swept up in a fly-by-night movie production fueled by ego as much as talent.  Director Otto Detuchmann’s tantrums do nothing to calm his vision-impaired cameraman and clueless script girl, while Italian actor Lorenzo Primadoni fumes impatiently for his close-up.  Their silent epic reaches comic pandemonium when Mrs. Callahan’s boarding house becomes the location for their climactic scene.  Following a disastrous premiere and a mysterious telegram from a film studio which puts everyone on edge, their all-or-nothing gamble on screen success writes a surprising twist (and a surprise ending!) in the final reel.

The Community Players production of NOT A WORD features nine actors, some veteran Players and some who’ve joined just this season: Seth Bunke, Cindy Dickinson, Kaj Hache, Erik Hodges, Valerie Kehr, Hannah McCauley, Anne Orio, Nathan Osburn and Dana Sackos.  Producers Allwyne Fine, Elizabeth Lent, Colleen Schwarz, Douglas Schwarz and Mary Walker have secured a design team of Steven Meier, Suzanne Potoma and Wallace J. Pineault for lighting, costumes and set.  The stage manager is Donna Julian assisted by Corinne Stanley.  The 95th season presenting sponsor is Merrimack County Saving Bank – show sponsor is NHTrust Financial Advisors.

NOT A WORD will be performed at Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince Street in Concord on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, May 7 at 2:00 PM.  Tickets are now available online at communityplayersofconcord.org.  Phone: (603) 344-4747.  Box Office hours: 4/30 – 1 to 4 PM.  5/5 & 6 – 6 to 7:30 PM.  5/7 – 12:30 to 2 PM.

 

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February 14, 2023 In Press Releases

“The 39 Steps” Postponed to Feb. 24-26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 14, 2023

Contact Ellen Burger 

partenen@comcast.net

(603) 344-1444

The Community Players of Concord NH production of THE 39 STEPS, originally scheduled to be performed at the Concord City Auditorium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 17-19, 2023, has been POSTPONED due to illness within the company. The show will be presented the following weekend: Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, February 26 at 2:00 pm. Tickets for those new dates are now available at http://communityplayersofconcord.org/tickets/

Tickets previously purchased for the original February 17-19 show dates will be valid during the February 24-26 show weekend for the same day of the week and the same seat location – there is no need for patrons to exchange their tickets.  

Patrons wishing to exchange their original February 17-19 show tickets for a different performance day of the week during the February 24-26 show weekend, or who wish to turn them in for a refund, are asked to email Box Office chair David Murdo at nhdm40@comcast.net or call him at (603) 344-4747, preferably by Wednesday, February 21, 2023. 

The Community Players of Concord, NH, extends thanks to the community for supporting their 95th Anniversary Season of bringing live theatre to the heart of the capital region and sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this postponement may cause our valued patrons. 

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January 9, 2023 In Press Releases

The Community Players of Concord, NH to Present “The 39 Steps”

A COMEDY BASED ON THE HITCHCOCK THRILLER

FEBRUARY 17, 18, 19 AT CONCORD CITY AUDITORIUM

Contact: Jim Webber    jbw1026@aol.com    (603) 540-1117


The Community Players of Concord, NH will be presenting the comedy The 39 Steps on February 17, 18 and 19, 2023 at Concord City Auditorium. Based on Alfred Hitchcock’s classic movie that thrilled audiences in 1935, the stage version is now a “comic thrill ride” performed by a cast of only five actors. Adapted by Patrick Barlow, this 2005 comedy hit played in London’s West End for nine years and was nominated for six Tony Awards on Broadway in 2008.

Like the Hitchcock thriller which first put the fast-paced, location-shifting spy thriller on the screen, The 39 Steps tells the story of an ordinary man flung into extraordinary circumstances. When a spy is murdered in his London flat, Richard Hannay is chased by a team of killers across England and Scotland, defying death in one seemingly inescapable scrape after another – including a romance! Based on a 1915 spy novel by John Buchan, Patrick Barlow’s adaptation not only spoofs old movies and Hitchcock tropes (Psycho, Vertigo, etc.), but also adds a dash of Monty Python comedy as five actors instantly transform into over 150 characters with lightning precision.

Kevin Gardner, well-known author, commentator and theatre director in New Hampshire, directs the Community Players’ February presentation. Having directed the Shakespeare program at St. Paul’s School, numerous plays at Plymouth State, as well as at New Hampshire’s professional summer theatres, Kevin is happy to be returning to The Players, where he began appearing in plays as a teenager with his family in the 1960s. In 2008, Kevin directed the brilliant production of Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of Metamorphoses with the Community Players.

The multi-talented cast of The 39 Steps includes Todd Bubier (of Manchester) in the role of the pursued everyman-with-movie-star-looks, “Richard Hannay.” Todd is the only actor who plays one role in the show. Julia Kehr (of Concord) and Suzanne Watts (of Penacook) are playing, respectively, “Margaret” and “Pamela” as well as other roles. Julia was seen in the Community Players’ The Farnsworth Invention and Suzanne in Last Gas. Seth Bunke (of Boscawen) and Daniel Kehr (of Concord) are listed as “Clown 1” and “Clown 2.” Both actors bring technical polish and unbridled passion for comedy to over 100 roles they’ll be playing in the comic tour de force on the City Auditorium stage in The 39 Steps.

With The 39 Steps, The Community Players of Concord, NH continue the celebration of their 95th Season, which began with The Wind In The Willows (young@part) followed by Agatha Christie’s Murder On The Orient Express. Wayland Bunnell, Sharon Sweet, Ellen Burger and Allwynne Fine produce the upcoming February production.

Local supporting sponsors: NH Trust Financial Advisors and Sanel-NAPA (Show sponsors.)  Merrimack County Savings Bank (Presenting 95th Season sponsor.)

Performance dates and times for The 39 Steps: Friday, February 17 at 7:30 PM – Saturday, February 18 at 7:30 PM – Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 PM. Tickets are now available online at communityplayersofconcord.org. Adult tickets are $20 and Student / Senior tickets are $18. Concord City Auditorium is located at 2 Prince Street, at the rear of Concord City Hall, 45 Green Street. Theatre box office will be open 2/12 from 1 PM to 4 PM – 2/17 & 2/18 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM – 2/19 from 12:30 PM – 2 PM.

 

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October 19, 2022 In Press Releases

The Community Players of Concord, NH to present Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express

Concord, NH – All aboard! You are in for a thrilling ride when Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, newly adapted for the stage by Tony Award winning playwright Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor) pulls away from Istanbul station at the Concord City Auditorium on November 18, 19 and 20, 2022. 

It is winter, 1934 and the luxurious Orient Express passenger train, surprisingly full for the time of year, is hurtling down the tracks in a heavy snowstorm when its journey is suddenly halted by a snowdrift, trapping everyone aboard. An American tycoon is found stabbed in his bed, door locked from the inside. The famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, happens to be a passenger and is pressed to solve the mystery in case the killer decides to strike again.  Poirot’s fellow passengers – a stylish, international cast of characters including a colonel, a princess, and a countess – are all suspects, but all have alibis. With plenty of twists and turns heightening the suspense, this famous whodunnit takes the audience on a ride they won’t soon forget.

First published in 1934, Murder on the Orient Express is widely regarded as one of Agatha Christie’s greatest literary achievements. After decades of refusing requests to allow the enduring novel to be adapted as a stage play, the Agatha Christie Estate approached Ken Ludwig, a legendary master of stage farce, to do just that.  Ludwig’s adaptation brilliantly infuses the glamour, intrigue, and suspense of the original masterpiece with healthy doses of wit, charm, and humor. The result: a captivating blend of crime and comedy that will leave audiences thoroughly entertained.

The Community Players’ production is directed by Elizabeth Lent and features a cast of seasoned community actors, including Jim Gocha in the role of Poirot, joined by Chris Demers, Nora McBurnett, Griffin Stuart, Dana Sackos, Cindy Dickinson, Kathyrn Giddins, Katharine Demers, Anne Orio, Nathan Osburn, Kevin Guimond, and Kaj Hache. 

Performance details:

Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19 at 7:30 pm; Sunday, November 20 at 2:00 pm

Performances at Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince Street, Concord, NH

Tickets $20 (Seniors/Juniors $18) (or $16 with purchase of tickets to this and at least one other Players show this season)

Purchase online at www.communityplayersofconcord.org, or at the box office 

Box Office hours: November 13, 1:00-5:00 pm; November 17 & 18, 4:30-7:30 pm; Nov. 19, 6:00-7:30 pm; Nov. 20, 12:30-2:00 pm.

Box Office phone: (603) 228-2793

For more information, contact box office chair David Murdo at nhdm40@comcast.net or (603) 344-4747

The Concord City Auditorium is fully open. Check our website for current COVID protocols

Contact:   Publicity volunteer Ellen Burger, Ellen.burger@communityplayersofconcord.org, (603) 344-1444;  

                 or Director Elizabeth Lent, Bettylent54@gmail.com, (603) 496-2179

 

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