Thespians Bring March Musical Mystery To Thurmont
February 21, 2010
Photos couresty of The Thurmont Thespians
Photo 1: Bill Collins of Thurmont and Kelli Donaghue of Woodsboro team up as Flint and Lettie to sing their uproarious show-stopping duet, ”I’ve Got a Teeny Little Dinghy” when the Thurmont Thespians stage “Something’s Afoot” at the American Legion Auditorium March 19-21 and 26-28. Call Mrs. Urian at 301-271-7613 for early reservations.
Photo 2: Ben Mathis of Thurmont plays Nigel Rancour who has just found is Uncle’s Last Will. Will the contents name him heir to the Rancour estate?
Holy Agatha Christie! Something mysterious is afoot next month at the American Legion Auditorium when the Thespians stage their spring musical. Opening Friday, March 19 for two weekends of macabre murder, crashing credenzas and arsenic-tinged love potions, the Thespians bring alive (briefly) the popular British mystery spoof, “Something’s Afoot” by James McDonald, David Vos and Robert Gerlach. Director Beth Royer Watson has assembled a treasure trove of quirky characters right out of “Ten Little Indians” for a glorious weekend in the Lord Rancour’s country manor circa 1935. Whoever survives may inherit the entire estate, but audiences may not survive without laughing to death.
There are four evening performances: Fridays and Saturdays, March 19-20 and 26-27 at the stroke of 8 o’clock PM and two Sunday matinee performances beginning at 2 o’clock PM on March 21 and 28. Plus there’s a delicious Cozy-catered dinner buffet & show the second Saturday evening, March 27 beginning at 6:30PM with a cash bar. Show tickets for all performances are $15.00 per person and the Saturday dinner-theatre combination is $30.00 per person. Early reservations are recommended, especially for the dinner theatre which only seats 80. Call Mrs. Urian at 301-271-7613 to get the best seating for all shows.
Starring as Miss Tweed, the quintessential British amateur sleuth, is Thurmont’s own Anna Perry. Other Thurmont actors include Ben Mathis as Nigel, the legal heir, and Bill Collins as Flint, the suspicious chauffer/caretaker. The cast also includes Paul Smaldone from Emmitsburg as Dr. Greyburn, Chris Kreitz from Fairfield, PA as Lady Manly-Prowe, Stephanie Long from New Oxford, PA as the ingénue, Hope Langdon, David Elvove from Ijamsville as the Colonel (who last appeared with the Thespians as Coach Don in “Rounding Thrid”), Kelli Donaghue of Woodsboro as Lettie, the Maid, Michael Miller from Frederick as young Geoffrey, the college student and Geronimo Miranda from Martinsburg, WV as Clive the Butler (fresh from his award-winnng performances as Alvaro in “The Rose Tattoo”.)
Robbie Freed is the musical director and accompanist and the choreography is by Stephanie Long with assistance from Jennifer Buchheister. Set design is by Spence Watson, costume and set decoration is by Mary Lou (Winebrenner) Royer, lighting design is by Michael Brown, special effects design is by David Higgins, Properties are being handled by Irene Matthews and the Master Carpenter is Rich Friis.
“Something’s Afoot” is a zany, entertaining show that takes a satirical poke at Agatha Christie mysteries and musical styles of past years. Ten people are stranded in an isolated English country house during a raging thunderstorm. One by one they’re picked off by cleverly fiendish devices. As the bodies pile up in the library, the survivors frantically race to uncover the identity and motivation of the cunning culprit. Broadway and Hollywood critics have raved: “The audience adored the show.”– N.Y. Times. “Engaging, funny, refreshing and original.”– N.Y. Post. “An enchanting spoof.”– N.Y. Daily News. “Both a spoof and a tribute to Agatha Christie … played with fine tuned, flamboyantly melodramatic affectations.” — L.A. Times.
Call Mrs. Urian at 301-271-7613 for early reservations.
November 12, 2009
Gala Dinner Recognizes Military Medical Excellence
The National Museum of Civil War Medicine hosted a gala dinner on Wednesday, October 28 at Musket Ridge Golf Course in Myersville, Maryland. The Ft. Detrick honor guard opened the festivities, GEN Gordon R. Sullivan, Ret., keynoted, speaking of his experiences and his pride in the U.S. Military for recognizing and meeting the need for medical support for our troops. The Second Annual Jonathan Letterman Medical Excellence Award was presented to Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4), a program of the US Army which created a system coordinating the digitization of medical records, allowing for comprehensive care of our war fighters anywhere in the world. Orlando Illi, deputy project manager at MC4, accepted the award on behalf of his team and thanked those in attendance for their support and recognition. Benefactors who made the evening possible were: Great Southern Enterprises, Inc; a local company supporting the Frederick area through the Delaplaine Foundation; Azimuth Engineering Group, an engineering services company; SAIC- Frederick, which operates the National Cancer Institute’s Federally Funded Research and Development Center; The Plamondon Companies, which currently own 3 Marriott branded hotel properties in Frederick and 18 Roy Rogers Restaurants; MTS, which supports endeavors such as the Medical Research Information Technology System (MeRITS); The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) provides services including research administration, program management and staffing, clinical trials, education support and event planning. Proceeds from the dinner went to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in support of educational outreach programs.
Attached Photo: Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Letterman, Elma Letterman (Descendants of Jonathan Letterman), Orlando Illi, recipient of the Award for MC4, George Wunderlich, Executive Director, NMCWM. Photo Credit: Larry Ketron of Good Intent Graphics
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