Grosse Pointe Theatre Presents 'Rehearsal for Murder'

GROSSE POINTE - Grosse Pointe Theatre announces the second play in its 65th Anniversary Season, the riveting murder mystery, "Rehearsal for Murder."

"Rehearsal for Murder" is a totally suspenseful, action-packed play. Director Arlene Marie Schoenherr of St. Clair Shores, says that the play will keep audience members at the edge of their seats in anticipation of “who knows what!?”

It was written by Emmy-winning TV-script veterans Richard Levinson and William Link, whose best known works include "Columbo" and "Murder, She Wrote." Their 1982 made-for-TV movie, by the same title, starred Robert Preston and Lynn Redgrave, and the script was later adapted for the stage by D.D. Brooke.

This is a thrilling "theatrical" mystery in which the Fries Auditorium theater itself becomes the set for the play.

Synopsis

Playwright Alex Dennison holds the first reading of his new play. Everyone connected with the show comes onto the stage, and, despite the witty conversation and theatrical banter, they are all apprehensive. Why? Because everyone present was involved with a previous play by the same playwright just one year ago in the same theater. The beautiful leading lady (Alex Dennison’s fiancée) was murdered on the opening night. Clues emerge and the play progresses, and startling connections to the murder, and possible motives, begin to unfold. Tension grows with each revelation. The mystery proceeds with surprising twists and turns until it is solved with a stunning conclusion.

Show Times and Tickets

The opening show is Sunday, Nov. 4 with a 2:00 PM matinee at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms. Continuing performances are Nov. 8-10 at 8:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2:00 p.m. and Nov. 15-17 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $18. Group rates are available. For tickets and information call 313-881-4004 or online at www.gpt.org (click on Seat Yourself).

Cast

Charly Davis of Grosse Pointe as Alex Dennison; Lucy Ament of Grosse Pointe Park as  Monica Wells;

Kori Bielaniec of Livonia as Karen Daniels; MaryLynn Bertetto of Grosse Pointe Farms as Loretta; Robert Daniel of Grosse Pointe Woods as  Leo Gibbs; Scott Davis of Ferndale as  Frank; Peter DiSante of St. Clair Shores as  David Mathews; Donald Gbur of Harper Woods as Ernie; Dan Morency of Grosse Pointe Park as Police Officer; Sal Rubino of Clinton Township as Santoro; Theresa Selvaggio of Grosse Pointe Farms as Bella; Eddie Tujaka of Grosse Pointe Farms as  Lloyd Andrews; Jessica Tujaka of Grosse Pointe Farms as Police Officer; and Amber Vinson of Detroit as Sally Bean.

Crew

Arlene Marie Schoenherr of St. Clair Shores, Director; Chris Kaiser of Grosse Pointe, Producer; Grace Prevost of Clinton Township, Assistant Producer; Mickie Pizzimenti of Warren,  Stage Manager; Nancy McGiness of St. Clair Shores, Assistant Stage Manager; Don Adzigian of Grosse Pointe Woods, and Bob Brown of Windsor of Ontario, Technical Directors; Lynda Marth of Chesterfield Township, Costumes; Eleonore Ellero-Groth of St. Clair Shores, Set Design; Eric and Lisa Leszczynski of Grosse Pointe Woods, Lighting; Eric Vreeland of St. Clair Shores, Sound; Jeanne Chrisman  of Harper Woods,  Props/Set Dressing; Sandi Haney of Southfield, Makeup; and Larry Garcia of Grosse Pointe Woods, Publicity.

Upcoming Grosse Pointe Theatre productions include:

• GPT’s Youth on Stage production of "Seussical," by Composer/Librettist Stephen Flaherty & Lyricist/ Librettist Lynn Ahrens, December 1 & 2, 2012, at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.
• "Big River," book by William Hauptman and music and lyrics by Roger Miller January 20,24-27, 31, February 1 & 2, 2013, at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial
• "Doubt" by John Patrick Shanley, GPT’s Purdon Studio Theatre production at the Edsel & EleanorFord House Visitor Center, February 21-24, February 28 & March 1-3, 2013.
• "The Heiress" by Ruth and Augustus Goetz (adapted from the 1880 Henry James novel, "Washington Square"), March 10, 14-17, 21-23, 2013, at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial
• "The Drowsy Chaperone," book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar and music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, May 5, 9-12, 16-18, 2013, at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.

Grosse Pointe Theatre is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Membership in Grosse Pointe Theatre is open to adults age 18 and over who are interested in theater and theater craft. For more information, see the website at www.gpt.org, or call 313-881-4004.