'Agatha Christie Made Me Do It' to Open at The Theatre of Western Springs

Submitted by the Theatre of Western Springs.

Kicking off a jam-packed season, “Agatha Christie Made Me Do It” opens the 87th season at Theater of Western Springs.

A cast of 11 actors bring to life Eddie Cope’s hysterical murder mystery spoof. Directed by Guest Director David Knezz, it runs Sept. 10 - 20 at TWS, 4384 Hampton Ave.

Setting box office records across the country, the play is suitable for all audiences.

Schedule:

• 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays – Sept. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19
• 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 13, 20
• 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13

Police officer Hootspah decides that writing about crime is better than his real-life job of dealing with it on the street. In front of the audience, he writes his story using Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries as his model. Hootspah’s characters take over his story despite his best, albeit bumbling, attempts to maintain order. The result is a hilarious attempt at a murder mystery with wacky characters and a corpse that keeps disappearing.

Eddie Sugarman, TWS Artistic Director says of this show, “Our audiences love who-done-its and they love comedies. What better way to kick off the season than this?”

Knezz says he doesn’t have to hope people will laugh, he knows they will laugh.

“We will have plenty of shtick with verbal and sight gags,” Knezz said. “The cast has had a blast bringing all kinds of comedic touches to this show. Since we have free reign in the parody world, I have encouraged the actors to explore ‘comedic gymnastics’ using everything from Mr. Magoo to Jack Benny and the quintessential Warner Bros. cartoon moment.”

The cast has a wide variety of experience – some with over 30 years and some who are brand new. Knezz says he has thoroughly enjoyed watching the mentoring process as well as seeing the cast develop as a family.

“It’s been fun to see our experienced actors cut loose,” he said.

However, even spoofs have their challenges. Knezz has groomed the acting and nuances in such a way that the audience won’t know ‘who done it.’ In fact, there will be a “Who-Done-It” contest at intermission for the audience.

When asked about the deeper themes of the show, Knezz laughed and said, “Nothing in it is going to change the world, but people are going to have a rollicking good time.”

Tickets are $20 and $22. Call the box office at 708-246-3380 or go to: http://www.theatrewesternsprings.com. Parking is free.

Director David Knezz

David Knezz began his foray into theater in the 1980s when he started an improvisation group. He has had “a lot of fun directing again, wearing those comedy shoes.” He most enjoys the family, community feel at TWS.

Knezz has been a teacher at the Children’s Theatre of Western Springs since 1992. He has appeared in many shows at TWS including “The Devil’s Disciple,” “Willy Wonka,” “Scrooge,” “Seussical the Musical,” “Spinning into Butter” and “Around the World in 80 Days” for which he was also the puppet consultant.

His directing credits include “Unnecessary Farce,” “Fiction,” “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and “Those Little Rascals.” Knezz won a Legacy Award in 1997 for excellence in teaching. He is an avid sculptor and mask-maker and teaches mask-making and mask-acting around the world. He was named 2009 Creative Drama Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Theatre Association.

The Playwright

Eddie Cope was a Houston playwright and journalist with a playful sense of humor and a fondness for outrageous puns. He wrote more than 30 lighthearted comedies, mysteries and melodramas.

The son of a former vaudeville entertainer, Cope grew up in El Paso. He studied journalism and playwriting at the University of Texas, then served in North Africa and Italy during World War II. After the war, he moved to Houston and worked in public relations. He wrote for the Southwest edition of TV Guide for 17 years before retiring in 1978.

Cope began devoting more time to playwriting. His 1975 “Agatha Christie Made Me Do It“ went from its premiere at Theatre Suburbia to productions at venues across the U.S.

His plays have been produced all over the world. He was a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, the Texas Non-Profit Theater Association and Scriptwriters/Houston. After his retirement, he attended and/or read more than 100 plays a year.

He died in 2009 at the age of 96.

CAST

Sam Sears - Jim Hannigan of Hinsdale

Annie - Cassandra Johnson of Woodridge

Cindy Haines - Ashley Kennedy of LaGrange Park

Officer Hootspah - Stan Kosek of Villa Park

Waldo - Craig Mahlstedt of Burr Ridge

Ruperta Holland - Jan Mahlstedt of Burr Ridge

Jo-Jo LaMotte - Kerri Mummert of LaGrange

Carl Lloyd – Rob Nardini of Naperville

Dutch Winters – Jim Pusztay of Streamwood

Jenny Winters - Jackie Raschke of Brookfield

Monte Brainard - Jaime Sandoval of Oak Park

CREW

Director - David Knezz of Homer Glen

Stage Manager - Denny Wise of Lisle

Ass’t. Stage Manager - Tina Shelley of Brookfield

Ass’t. Stage Manager - Tom Gess of Indian Head Park

Box Office - Mary Ellen Schutt of Westmont

Costumes - Patti Roeder of Oak Park

Dramaturg - Dennis Fry of LaGrange

Hospitality - Joe Mills of Westchester

House Manager - Mike Janke of Downers Grove

Lights - Linda Bugielski of Indian Head Park

Makeup - Arlene Page of Burr Ridge

Makeup - Michael-Colin Reed of Forest Park

Production Coordinator - Mary Ellen Schutt of Westmont

Program Editor - Ed Barrow of Hinsdale

Program Bios - Denise D’Asto of Darien

Props - Laura Leonardo-Ownby of La Grange

Props - Amanda Ragan of Burr Ridge

Publicity - Suzanne Reeves of Naperville

Sandwich Sunday - Arlene Bibbs of West Chicago

Set Construction - John Mueller of Lemont

Set Design - Martha Niles of Chicago

Set Dresser - Martha Niles of Chicago

Set Painting - Carrie Cerri of La Grange

Sound - Jack Calvert of Western Springs

Technical Director - Thad Hallstein of Chicago

Photos by Greg Kolack

Pic 1 (L-R)

Kerri Mummert of LaGrange – Jo-Jo LaMotte
Jim Pusztay of Streamwood - Dutch Winters
Jackie Raschke of Brookfield - Jenny Winters
Jaime Sandoval of Oak Park - Monte Brainard

Pic 2 (L-R)

Ashley Kennedy of LaGrange Park - Cindy Haines
Jaime Sandoval of Oak Park - Monte Brainard