'Design for Murder' Cast and Crew Includes Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills Residents

Photo by Bill Hammack. (Left) David - Thomas D. Schutt of Westmont and Kathy - (Right) Kerri Mummert of La Grange
Story submitted by The Theatre of Western Springs.

The Theatre of Western Springs (TWS) presents its 2nd Mainstage play of the 86th season, “Design for Murder,” written by George Batson and directed by Judy DiVita. Performances take place from Oct. 23 – Nov. 2, 2014, at TWS, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs. The play is suitable for audiences age 10 and up.

Schedule:
· 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays – Oct. 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and Nov. 1
· 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2
· 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
· 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26

Everyone’s a suspect in this mystery with romance, comedy, a dark and stormy night and the all important murder. There’s the stately mansion, a dead body, a seductive and saucy maid with a secret, a family trying to hold onto its wealth while dealing with skeletons in the closet, a sleazy low-class blackmailer, a motley cast of other characters with dubious pasts and a detective with the obligatory trench coat.

So what’s missing? The butler who didn’t do it, because there is no butler! In fact, this mystery leaves audiences wondering “whodunit” until the very end.

“What better choice for the Halloween season but a murder mystery,” said Director Judy DiVita. “I plan on making the show a total experience event including audience participation in more ways than one. Set in the 1930’s, patrons are even invited to come in costume if they like.”

Although involved in several mysteries, this is DiVita’s first opportunity to direct one.

“Design for Murder,” with its twists and turns where anyone could be guilty, is in the classic Agatha Christie mode.

The cast includes Arlene Bibbs of West Chicago, Bob Erck of Darien, Janet Gassman of Western Springs, Vera Kelly of Chicago Ridge, Craig Mahlstedt of Burr Ridge, Kerri Mummert of LaGrange, Thomas D. Schutt of Westmont, Thom Serafin of La Grange Park, Cathy Van Horne of La Grange and Marilyn Weiher of Downers Grove.

Tickets are $18 and $20. Call the box office at 708-246-3380 or go to: http://www.theatrewesternsprings.com. Free parking is available.

Director Judy DiVita

A Naperville resident, Judy DiVita received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama from Mundelein College (now a part of Loyola University) and her MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management.

DiVita has been interested in directing since she was five years old, and she frequently directs as part of TWS’s Directors’ Workshop program. She has written and directed five scripts and directed more than a dozen one-act productions at TWS. In addition, DiVita wrote and directed a musical cabaret show, “Season Kickoff,” at Village Theatre Guild in Glen Ellyn.

After a 25-year successful run in a career in information technology, DiVita has now taken up acting and directing as a full-time profession.

Playwright George Batson

Little is written about George Batson’s personal life. However, in a playbill from the 1964 TWS production of this show, Mary Cattell, the founder of TWS, wrote that Batson was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1916, was educated in New York, Rhode Island and New Jersey and served in WWII from 1942-1946.

He wrote “Celia” in 1953 with lead actress Tallulah Bankhead touring in the exciting mystery. In 1960, the play was revised, rewritten and underwent a name change to “Design for Murder.”

While Batson has written some 15 plays, most are fast-paced, suspense packed mysteries.

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CAST

Louisa Cortlandt - Arlene Bibbs of West Chicago

Brent - Robert Erck of Darien

Martha Brand - Janet Gassmann of Western Springs

Mrs. Hamilton - Vera Kelly of Chicago Ridge

Carlin - Craig Mahlstedt of Burr Ridge

Kathy - Kerri Mummert of La Grange

David - Thomas D. Schutt of Westmont

Moreno - Thom Serafin of La Grange Park

Nora Taylor - Cathy Van Horne of La Grange

Celia - Marilyn Weiher of Downers Grove

CREW

Director – Judy DiVita of Naperville

Stage Manager – Darla Goudeau of La Grange

Assist. Stage Man. –Eileen Crow of Hinsdale

Assist. Stage Man. --Dennis Hudson of Western Springs

Tech Director – Thad Hallstein of Chicago

Prod. Coord. – Mary Ellen Schutt of Westmont

Costumes – Patti Roeder of Oak Park

Dramaturg – Marion Reis of Wheaton

Hospitality – Nicole Leatherwood of Darien

House Manager - Mike Janke of Downers Grove

Lights – Linda Bugielski of Indian Head Park

Makeup – Mary Ellen Druyan of Clarendon Hills

Makeup -- Jan Mahlstedt of Burr Ridge

Program Editor – Ed Barrow of Hinsdale

Program Ed./Bios-- Denise D’Asto of Darien

Props – Kelli Kopp of Countryside

Props -- Pat Politano of Brookfield

Publicity – Ann Marie Hultgren of Indian Head Park

Sandwich Sunday –Karen Arnold of Westmont

Set Construction – Tom Squillo of Clarendon Hills

Set Design – Martha Niles of Chicago

Set Dresser – Martha Niles of Chicago

Set Painting – Karen Holbert of Western Springs

Sound – Joe Nikoleit of Maywood