Play On!

By Rick Abbott
Directed by Neil Gregersen

This comedy about a community theatre trying to produce a play with a local first-time author who will NOT stop bringing new and revised scenes to rehearsals seemed like a logical play for Open Door to choose for our first show. And so we did. (Play On! photos courtesy of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and Director Neil Gregersen.)

The cast with production stage manager Kaylin Greene (center front)

Andrew John Bookter as Henry Benish, the actor playing Lord Dudley in "Murder Most Foul."

Susan Bianchini as Polly Benish who plays Lady Margaret in "Murder Most Foul."

Micah Price as Billy Carew who plays Stephen Sellers in "Murder Most Foul."

Corey Barrows as Violet Imbry playing Diana Lassiter in "Murder Most Foul."

Tami Renner as Smitty, the high school girl playing Doris the maid in "Murder Most Foul."

Christopher DeJohn as Seth Watson who plays the villain, Dr. Rex Forbes, in the play within the play; Suzee Branch as Phyllis Montague, author of "Murder Most Foul."

Mary Orr as Gerry Dunbar, director of "Murder Most Foul," Peggy Jensen as Aggie, her cynical stage manager.

Debbie Jamieson as Louise, the plain-speaking stage crew chief.

Phyllis: I've simply added one more character and cut the love scene.

Billy and Violet are relieved that Phyllis hasn't cut the love scene after all.

Polly: It's too much to learn in four days, Phyllis!

Phyllis: They're such little changes!

Smitty: But if Diana is carrying his child, she must remember something!

Polly: Phyllis, don't you remember your own plot?

Gerry: Phyllis, do you have any idea how hard it is to put on a play?

Polly: Lady Margaret goes into shock and loses the power of speech?!?!

Gerry: We agreed to do your original script. These changes are too much!

Seth: Remember, Polly, she cut all your lines!

Polly: I'm with Gerry. No thanks!

Henry: Sorry, Phyllis.

Gerry: Thanks, Phyllis -- but no thanks!

Seth: We'll remember who wrote the original. Phyllis: Ooooohhhhhgrrrrr!

Aggie: Easy as pie, but a little practice won't hurt.

Gerry: Okay, let me see how you look in the costumes!

Diana: But the book distinctly says they all died!

Lord Dudley: Nonsense! Utter poppycock! There's no such thing as a curse!

Phyllis: What liverwurst? There's no liverwurst in my play!

Dr. Forbes: Certainly you shall try the diamond on!

Lady Margaret: I'll put this necklace where it can do no further harm.

Violet: Those metal chairs are awfully uncomfortable to cuddle on!

Stephen: Dash it all, Diana! Must we play at words?

Aggie: Phyllis was talking to me about nuances so I completely missed Seth's entrance.

Lord Dudley: We can't wait for Percival forever.

Billy and Seth: Yes indeedy!

Act I set. Set design by Neil Gregersen.

Set for Acts II and III. Props design by Valerie Watson.