NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR:

Thanks to everyone who graced us with their talent during auditions for Conejo Player's production of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. With nearly fourty auditioners, the turn out was beyond my wildest expectations, so I thank you for your interest. To everyone's credit, I could have compiled at least two, if not three, solid casts for this production: the talent pool was just that good, so you are all to be commended.

Given that, I've established what I think is the best cast possible for this production. We've a great mix of both familiar and soon-to-be-familiar faces, and I'm pleased to announce them to you:

Rogers: Aaron Van Etten - Aaron's delightful sense of humor, combined with his willingness to try new things during auditions made him the best choice for the role of Rogers. I think the thing I remember most about Aaron is the great smirk he flashed to the actress reading Mrs. Rogers. It was that, slightly wily edge I wanted. Rogers loses his wife, and I need to see those range of emotions.

Mrs. Rogers: Tami Keaton - Tami gave exceptional reads for EVERY female character, but she was the only one who captured Ethel's manic mood. While she would have been great in any role, she truly was the only one who nailed this character. Also, having seen her in numerous productions, I know the level of quality and committment she brings to the table.

Fred Narracott: Jeff Schaver - Jeff read for me last night as Narracott and was perfect. Narracott's only on stage for about three minutes, but I know that Jeff will make the most of those minutes as he has before. I feel that everyone else who I was considering for this small but important part came across as "acting" too much, essentially trying to push those three minutes to the brink. Jeff won't do that. Like Narracott, he's here to "deliver" the exposition necessary to set up the rest of the play. I love working with Jeff, and this will be fun.

Vera Claythorne: Linda Schaver - For the other ladies who auditioned for Vera, the thing that Linda captured most succinctly was her ability to play a range of emotions. Her sassy side during the argument with Lombard was spot-on, and her monologue as Vera showed the best blend of smoldering hatred and profound sadness I've seen. I've also worked with Linda extensively and she is one of the hardest-working, most dilligent actresses I know. While some actresses will say they deserve or have earned a role, Linda never would. She "is" the role.

Philip Lombard: John Eslick - John is also a hard worker. He took each piece of direction I gave him and ran with it. His Lombard always maintained a cool likeability that, while sometimes strained, never cracked or fell away. His Lombard was the one I knew audiences would enjoy watching for the entire course of the show, and he balances Linda's Vera very well, both physically and vocally. Like several of the others, I've seen John in other shows and have been dying to work with him since, because I have a great sense of the depth of talent there that can be channeled to great purposes.

Tony Marston: Leland Raymond - As those who were there will concur, Leland gave a knock-out read for both Lombard and Marston. At the readings last night, he proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that no one else could turn this pompous, despicable fop into a pleasantly likeable character. My great pain is that we don't see more of him beyond the first scene of the first act, but I am thrilled to have him with us, and am excited to have enticed such a talented young man into our group.

Bill Blore: Jack Impellizzeri - As with Leland, Jack absolutely solidified the character of Blore during auditions. The nice "wise guy" edge he brings to the vocalizations, the intensity with which he interacts... all make him another great addition to the Conejo family, and I look forward to working with him.

Gen. MacKenzie: Jerry Nehring - Jerry's self-adapted monologue was a wonderful mix of the expository lines from Christie and additional characterization that he himself did. The point is that he came in knowing EXACTLY what part he was right for, and he nailed it. He has the look. He has the voice. He has the wonderful combination of frazzled intensity and wounded compassion that will turn MacKenzie into a living, breathing person, rather than a cardboard characterization of an old war veteran.

Emily Brent: Helene Benjamin - The epiphany for me with Helene was when I had her read one of the sides twice: once playing Emily hard-as-nails, and the other playing her as absolutely vulnerable. No one else showed near that amount of range in the character. Many were good as Emily. Helene was GREAT.

Wargrave: Howard Leader - Howard's energy and enthusiasm are infectious. He was there every night of auditions, and I think that persistence was the nudge that pushed me in his direction. By his own admission, he's a student of theatre and finds something new in every experience he has. A few actors out-read him, absolutely pegging the "scary" meter. But the realization of Wargrave's true intent has to happen as a complete surprise, and then only happens for about three minutes as the end of the show. I needed someone like Howard who could consistently supply the stern-yet-fatherly Wargrave for three-quarters of the show, making the transition that much more shocking. That is exactly what Howard can do.

Dr. Armstrong: Mark Fagundes - I was edging dangerously to a BAD choice regarding the role of Armstrong, and fate being what it was, Mark was absolutely the best choice. His reading last night confirmed that beyond a shadow of a doubt. A typical characterization of Armstrong would be a jittery old doctor, but I LOVE where Mark has gone so far. Armstrong is absolutely a sad-sack at times, but there's a reason there, and Mark hints nicely at those reasons without them having to be explained. PERFECT! He's younger than Armstrong would typically be cast, but it's perfectly within the realm of plausibility. With a few touches of grey in the temples, I have no problem believing that he's an accomplished neurologist.

So, that's our cast. I hope those not cast this time will continue to audition for Conejo Players Theatre. Our next production to audition will be the premiere of 4318 Clarendon Road, a delightful new play by George Tricker, set in the household of an Italian-American household in 1950's Brooklyn. Auditions will be held from April 22-24.

Thanks again to everyone. Angel Street opens on April 13. And Then There Were None opens on April 21. We hope to see you there!

- Sean Harrington, Director
- Marya Harrington, Producer

Director's Blog at http://1stage.com/~sph/attwn/blog.