American musical theatre has come a long way since traditional shows such as Showboat, The Sound of Music, and Guys and Dolls. Through the years there have been many ground breaking musicals such as Hair, Cabaret, Rent, and In the Heights. But in June 2004, when the entire theatre community was predicting Wicked to take the 2004 Tony for best musical, a dark horse now known as Avenue Q took home the top prize.

Picture it, actors on stage in plain view holding a cornucopia of rod and hand puppets, singing, dancing, drinking, fornicating, cussing, and in the midst of all that, telling a truly beautiful story of coming of age searching for the inner you, looking for love, and most importantly “purpose.” Filled with a plethora of beautiful, witty, risqué burst out laughing melodies and lyrics combined with a charming and well thought out script, this show will touch your heart, make you think, and take you back to the days where things were simpler or at least seem to be.

Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre brings this iconic production to its stage. With a cast of versatile actors, singers, and puppeteers, a perfectly executed ala “Broadway set,” phenomenally pitch-perfect vocals, energetic and clever choreography and uniquely clever and professional direction by the puppet master himself director Darnell Morris.

Collin Hood (Princeton/Rod) shines with a 100 mile per hour energy, descriptively perfect facial expressions, spot on comic timing, and what seems to be a full understanding of every word he utters. His performance is touching and honest, especially with his partnership with Malinda Markland (Kate Monster/Lucy), who absolutely nails every emotion and nuance. Her connection with a puppet becomes one. Markland also possess a beautiful vocal ability and expertise range which shows in “There’s a fine fine line” and totally transforms “Special.” Harrison Smith (Nicky) is especially a standout. A recent high school graduate, Harrison possesses an immense talent and professionalism for a performer of such young age, a sharp and crisp tenor voice, and a flawless delivery of dialogue. Tim German (Trekkie Monster/Puppeteering Consultant) first of all masterfully handles the puppetry and cleverly teaches the rest to do the same, and is quite convincing of the sexually deprived, heart of gold creature. Ruben J. Vellekoop (Brian) and Kyra Koh (Christmas Eve) portray the two of the three non-puppet characters. Vellekoop adds the touching and heartwarming comedy of a wannabe comedian searching for his big break. Koh practically steals every moment with an incredibly politically incorrect portrayal of an Asian American searching for that American dream. With the strongest voice in the show her interpretation of “The More you Ruv Someone” is absolutely flawless. Nia Smith (Gary Coleman), yes I said it “Gary Coleman” the child star of “Different Strokes” who sued his parents for the money they embezzled from him, is now the superintendent of the broke down apartment on Avenue Q. Smith attacks the role well with a beautiful, sultry, gospel sound, however she falls a bit flat on some of her delivery and understanding of the comic lines. Anastasia Sophia Herne (Mrs. Thistletwat/The Bad Idea Bear) and Henry Pazaryna (The Bad Idea Bear/Puppeteer) round off the ingenious cast of these wacky misfits alternating between puppet after puppet, duty after duty, and challenge after challenge.

The show is done well, very well. Now it is most definitely not for children, anyone who gets offended easily, and for those who have absolutely no sense of humor. Otherwise come, enjoy, lose yourself, and open your heart. The doors of Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre are open! “But Only For Now!”

Cast Of Characters

• Princeton/Rod: Collin Hood
• Kate Monster/Lucy: Kate Markland
• Nicky: Harrison Smith
• Trekkie Monster: Tim German
• The Bad Ideas Bears/Puppeteers: Anastasia Sophia Herne
• Henry Pazaryna
• Mrs. Thistletwat: Anastasia Sophia Herne

Human Characters

• Brian: Ruben J. Vellekoop
• Christmas Eve: Kyra Koh
• Vanna Dela Cruz, July 26-27
• Gary Coleman: Nia Smith

Musicans

• Piano/Conductor: Ken Kimble
• Keyboard: Laura Brady
• Bass: Rob Weaver
• Drums: Zach Konick
• Guitar/Banjo: Ahren Buchheister

Production Team

• Director: Darnell Morris
• Music Director: Joshua Konick
• Choreographer: Nicole Martin
• Production/Stage Manager: John Nunemaker
• Puppeteering Consultant: Tim German
• Rehearsal Accompanist: Laura Brady
• Puppets Crafted by: Joseph Lopina, Theatre Alliance, Winston Salem, NC
• Video Designers: Zach Rosing and Ben Phillippe
• Technical Director: Matt Mitchell
• Assistant Technical Director: Scott McCormick
• Sound Engineer: Dan Caughran
• Lighting Designer: Garth Wells
• Production Intern: Kenny Milman
• Puppet Dresser: Grace Canfield
• Set Design: Matt Mitchell
• Set Construction: Matt Mitchell, Jerry Vess, Dan Snyder
• Grace Canfield, Anastasia Herne,
• Harrison Smith, Sean McKavitt
• Scenic Artist: Kevin Wallace
• Set Painters: Kevin Wallace, Jerry Vess, Sandy Wallace
• Marquee and Program Cover: Jim Gallagher
• Publicity Photography: Rachel Parker
• Headshots: Natalie Franke
• Board Liaison: Nikki Gerbasi
• Program: Carolyn Kirby

Disclaimer: Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.

The Unexpected Guest, first produced in 1958, is classic Agatha Christie. Richard Atha-Nicholls and Colonial Players have put together a top-notch production with tight performances from an exceptionally talented cast of eight.

Dame Agatha Christie is widely acknowledged as the reigning queen of the Murder Mystery genre in virtually every possible medium from novel to stage. Her characters are always multi-level, sophisticated (even when they’re low-born) and intriguing. The Mousetrap, Christie’s 1952 masterpiece, is just shy of sixty years in continuous production at London’s West End. She is second to none except possibly Shakespeare in popularity. Her stories are famous for twist endings, complex plots and red herrings and The Unexpected Guest is no exception.

Colonial Players’ production captures the essence of Christie’s wit and intrigue splendidly. From the opening moments to the final surprising twist, this show has it all. And it all starts on a foggy night on the south coast of England. Michael Starkwedder (Jeff Mocho), a traveling business man, has had an accident near the remote home of Richard and Laura Warwick. In the hopes of finding assistance, he enters the home, where he finds Warwick (John Sheeler) dead, and Warwick’s wife, Laura (Shirley Panek), holding a gun that supposedly killed him. It’s not long before we meet the other residents of the Warwick household: Warwick’s mother (Elizabeth McWilliams), his simple half-brother Jan (Ethan Goldberg), the butler, Angell (Michael Rogers), and the housekeeper, Miss Bennett (Jean Berard). These residents are soon joined by a family friend and aspiring politician Julian Ferrar (John Sheeler again). It becomes clear quite quickly that any one of these characters possess ample motives for committing the crime, and it’s up to Inspector Thomas (Mark T. Allen) and Sergeant Cadwallader (Justin Truesdale) to work out the puzzle.

Ah, but this is Agatha Christie and nothing is what it seems. That’s part of the fun! And what fun it is, too. The Unexpected Guest has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right up to the very end, even for a confirmed AC fan.

Richard Atha-Nicholls has been gifted with a talented cast of eight and there isn’t a weak performance in the bunch. Special kudos go to Scheeler for transforming from corpse (for the first half hour!) to smooth-talking representative of the Liberal party with higher political aspirations, to Truesdale for nearly stealing the show several times as the overly enthusiastic note-taking junior officer on the scene, to Berard for her slightly too-tightly wrapped portrayal of the housekeeper, to Goldberg for a properly sinister simpleton, to Panek for carrying off a terrifically played transition from one sort of victim to another and especially to Mocho, the unexpected guest with a gift for inspiring trust in everyone he meets. Bravo to everyone for their work with BettyAnn Leeseberg-Lange, Dialect Coach, for making it a pleasure to watch this very English production. As has usually been my experience, attention to detail is everything. Doug Dawson’s set boasts lovely decor, with assistance from Tom Ammon and Debby Dawson. Michael M. Harris’ lighting design sets the right mood. Ben Cornwell’s sound design (with fog horns and quietly passing cars in the distance) gives a proper and realistic background. Linda Swann’s costumes are fitting and proper and Jeannie Beall’s props are just right.

I have to agree with Atha-Nicholls’ directorial decision to keep the cast in the dark about just who done it. The character building experience shows. Well done, all!

It is nearly impossible to write about the story without giving away spoilers and that’s the last thing this production deserves, so please trust me when I say you should make time in your busy schedule to see the show. The Unexpected Guest kicks-off Colonial Players’ 63rd season with a bang!

NOTE: This production includes fog (which stuck around for a while after its initial appearance), cigarette smoking and a gun shot.

Director’s Notes

Do you trust me?

That all depends on how well you know me. For those that do, I hope that you would, though I know there are some who don’t. That trust is based upon our historical knowledge of each other. But if I was a complete stranger would you trust me? Why would you, you don’t know me? Yet I’m sure if you think hard enough you can recall at least one action that required you to trust a complete stranger. For example, handing over the keys of your new car to the parking valet. Our choice to trust a stranger is based on our past experiences.

We trust Agatha Christie to give us a story with twists and turns and red herrings that keep us guessing, or at least unsure, until the very end. When you came to the show tonight, you trusted the actors to know and deliver their lines as their characters, making them seem believable in everything they say. But it’s by Agatha Christie, so we know that at least one of these characters cannot be trusted. But which one?

When I was selected to direct this show I made a decision that meant I had to ask the cast to trust me. Trust me as a director and trust that what I was asking them to do would help discover and create their characters. In return, I would have to trust them. I asked them not to read the end of the play. As I write this, a little over two weeks before opening, I can tell you the cast only just found out the end. As such, I believe that it has been beneficial in some of the character choices they have made. I trust them now to bring the story to life and lead you in the way only Agatha can write.

As a director, I have also had to trust my staff. Not an easy thing for me. Letting go and giving them creative choices and then trusting them implicitly to execute those choices along with my vision. And lastly, I have had to trust my [meddling] stage manager – without whom this show would not run as envisioned.

Do you trust me now?

Richard Atha-Nicholls

Cast (In order of appearance)

• Richard Warwick: John Scheeler
• Laura Warwick: Shirley Panek
• Michael Starkwedder: Jeff Mocho
• Miss Bennett: Jean Berard
• Jan Warwick: Ethan Goldberg
• Mrs. Warwick: Elizabeth McWilliams
• Henry Angell: Michael Rogers
• Sergeant Cadwallader: Justin Truesdale
• Inspector Thomas: Mark T. Allen
• Julian Ferrar: John Scheeler

Production Staff

• Director: Richard Atha-Nicholls
• Producer: Andrea L. Elward
• Stage Manager: Nell Codner-Jarashow
• Set Design: Doug Dawson
• Lead Carpenter: Dick Whaley
• Carpenters: Lee Craft, Jim Robinson, Ted Yablonski
• Set Decoration & Painting: Tom Ammon, Debby Dawson, Doug Dawson
• Costume Design: Linda Swann
• Properties Design: Jeannie Beall
• Properties Assistants: Peggy Schmeltzer, Cornelia Watson
• Lighting Design: Michael M. Harris
• Lighting Consultant: Jennifer Parris
• Lighting Assistants: Terry Averill, Andrea L. Elward, Richard
• Atha-Nicholls, Drew Panek, Emma Panek, Shirley Panek, Jennifer Parris,
• Tom Stuckey, Bob Walker
• Sound Design: Ben Cornwell
• Sound / Lighting Technicians: Debby Hall, Erin Gray
• Dialect Coach: Betty Ann Leeseberg- Lange
• Special Needs Consultant: Emilia O’Connor
• Assistant to the Director: Nell Codner-Jarashow
• Production Assistant: Amy Wheaton
• Weapons Master: Mike Gidos
• Lobby Display: Amy Wheaton
• Play Consultant: Mickey Lund
• Production Consultant: Tom Stuckey
• Playbill / Poster Design: Jim Gallagher
• Photography: David Colburn
• Program Editor: Tom Stuckey

Disclaimer: Colonial Players provided two complimentary media tickets to ShowBizRadio for this review.