Death Takes A Holiday!

Alda (Barbara Jackson Root) & The Shadow (Will Alexander, Jr.)

‘Death’ has comedic sting in CKP show!

 By DOUGLAS GRAVES

Special to The Press

     A shadow in the garden and a close call in their fast cars give the willies to the happy revelers at Duke Lambert’s castle.  Death is far from their minds — until Death takes three days off and comes to call.

    “Death Takes A Holiday,” presented by Crowded Kitchen Players weekends through April 1 is directed by Ara Barlieb.

      Duke Lambert, played with regal dash and imperious attitude by Todd Carpien, is enjoying the life and perquisites of the very rich, including trying to seduce Alda, a pretty guest played with coy abandon by Barbara Jackson Root, when the Duke has an unwanted, hooded and sinister visitor.

     Death, who has always wondered why humans were afraid of him, is played with marvelous perfection by William Alexander, Jr. in the title role.  More perfect casting could scarcely be imagined. Alexander’s commanding presence and physical strength gives him a great edge as a leading man. He can be, by turns, charming and menacing.

    When circumstances compel the Duke to invite Death as a guest, he assumes the name and persona of His Serene Highness Prince Sirki and is introduced and treated as an honored guest.  Prince Sirki quickly learns about wine and beautiful women as he pursues his quest to understand humans.

    Though a couple of the young female guests fall for the Prince’s charm, it is betrothed Grazia, played by lovely Kelly James Herbert, who captures his heart but not before Alda does her hilarious best to show the mysterious guest her sultry charms.   Grazia, who was to marry the Duke’s son, Corrado, played with charm by Brian Kaller, finds that she must choose between life with Corrado, or Death.

    Elizabeth Buss is wonderful as sexy, red-haired Erica Fenton.

    Jack McGavin as old Baron Cesarea is delightful as he feels his energy and carnal appetites returning, not realizing that with Death on holiday the process of dying has stopped.

    The servants, Cora and Fedele, are great fun as they provide needed light-hearted moments. Cora, played by Alexandra Racines, is beautiful as a peasant girl. Fedele, played by stout Dan Daccardi, does duty as a handyman on the Duke’s estate.

    Grazia’s mother, the Princess, is played with heart-rending compassion by Pamela Wallace.  Sarah Thomas breathes humor and life into the role of the flirtatious, but naive, Rhoda.  Nancy Mikkelsen’s  Stephanie, anchors this fine ensemble
     Nancy Mikkelsen’s and Brenna Wallace’s costume design and selection set the era perfectly in Ara Barlieb’s simple but elegant set, which takes place in the castle’s garden patio.

    The cast does a wonderful job of telling the author’s story and leaving the audience contemplating the meaning of life — and death.

For reservations and more information, call 610.395.7176, email ckplayers@rcn.com or www.ckplayers.com

Reserved seating with pre-payment by check or CC.

(Small service charge applied.)   

“The Maltese Falcon”

“Best Actor”

“Best Sound Design”

“Best Original Play”

“Best Producers”

David 'Oz' Oswald, Rebecca Burroughs, JD Lepeta and Keith Moser in "The 39 Steps."

Myra Yellin Outwater, The Morning Call :

   ‘The Crowded Kitchen Players’ production of the mystery thriller “The 39 Steps ” was a fast-paced, acrobatic, topsy turvy spy yarn in which the agile cast romped through British music halls, traveled by train through the Scottish Highlands and raced through foggy, sheep-clogged Scottish back roads, spooky country inns and political rallies. 

      Keith Moser as the hero Richard Hannay was a master of farce, with an innate comedic sense and a wonderfully expressive face. Dave Oswald and J. D. Lepeta were a dynamo duo. They not only understand and delight in physical theater, but know how to play a crowd and brazenly milk a good gag for all its worth.’

Paul Willistein’s “The ABE Awards” – Bethlehem Press:  

 Best Original Play: “The Down of A Thistle,” written & directed by Ara Barlieb. “The comedic whodunit packed a surprise one-two punch with a very cleaver plot twist in Act Two.”

Best Sound Design: “The 39 Steps,” – Ara Barlieb. “Barlieb’s Hitchcockian touch included sampling the scores of “North by Northwest,” “Dial M for Murder” and “Vertigo.”

Best Producers: Ara Barlieb, Pamela McLean – Wallace, Crowded Kitchen Players. “Barlieb and Wallace always try to top themselves in sleuthing a selection of eclectic and eccentric fare: “Brendan,” an Irish comedy-drama; Alfred Hitchcocks’s ‘The 39 Steps’, a Valley debut; “The Maltese Falcon,” the East Coast premiere; and “The Down of A Thistle,” a Barlieb original.”

By Myra Yellin Outwater, Special to The Morning Call

The Crowded Kitchen Players has spent a lot of time recreating the classic feel of a film noir in its production of Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon,” now playing at McCoole’s Arts and Events Place in Quakertown.

This version of the classic detective mystery opens with seductively dressed chanteuse Elizabeth Buss singing the blues. Period background music gives the show a haunting atmosphere.The female members of the cast wear striking and at times dazzling black and white outfits, particularly Pamela McLean Wallace as the widow Iva.

Director Ara Barlieb pays homage to the story’s film origins by weaving in several video clips showing Hammett’s famed Detective Sam Spade, played with a suave and laconic demeanor by David Oswald, talking on the phone. Barlieb also creatively expands the small stage by having the actors use all of the theater’s stage levels.

For the entire review click or paste: http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/arts/theater/mc-review-maltese-20110927,0,3488527.story

Sept. 30, Oct.1, 7 & 8 at 8 pm
Oct. 2 & 9 at 2 pm

Tickets: $ 18.- Adults, $ 14.- Seniors, $ 8 -Students.

Cash, check or credit card

McCoole’s Arts & Events Place
10 S. Main St. Quakertown

Complimentary valet parking on Fridays & Saturdays!

For reservations and more information, call 610.395.7176 or email ckplayers@rcn.com

Reserved seating with check or credit card pre-payment. Group discounts are available, call for more information.

The Crowded Kitchen Players has spent a lot of time recreating the classic feel of a film noir in its production of Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon,” now playing at McCoole’s.

This version of the classic detective mystery opens with seductively dressed chanteuse Elizabeth Buss singing the blues. Period background music gives the show a haunting atmosphere.

David ‘Oz’ Oswald as Private Investigator Sam Spade

Crowded Kitchen Players presents its 47th production, the east coast premiere of Dashiell Hammett’s classic detective story “The Maltese Falcon.” This will be the second production of this play which was adapted by Helen Borgers, and the only staged adaptation authorized by the Hammett estate. It’s only prior performance was at Long Beach Shakespeare Company, California, in 2007.

Greed, betrayal, and murder swoop down San Francisco’s fog draped hills in the form of a mysterious black bird, littering the pavement below with bullet-torn conspirators, jilted lovers, and shattered dreams.

Sept 23, 24, 30, Oct 1, 2, 7 & 8 at 8 pm
Sept 25, Oct 2 & 9 at 2 pm

Tickets: $18 – Adults, $14 – Seniors, $8 – Students (Cash or Check Only)

*Opening Night – September 23rd – All tickets $10.*

McCoole’s Arts & Events Place
10 S. Main St. Quakertown

For reservations and more information, call 610.395.7176 or email ckplayers@rcn.com Reserved seating with pre-payment. Group discounts are available, please call for more information.

The cast of “The Maltese Falcon”:

• Ara Barlieb directs the cast:
• David ‘Oz’ Oswald as Sam Spade
• Carla Thew as Brigid O’Shaughnessy
• Jay Fletcher as Officer Dundy
• Tom Harrison as Joel Cairo
• Jack McGavin as Gutmann
• Pamela McLean Wallace as Iva
• Nancy Mikkelsen as Effie
• James Symmons as Officer Tom Polhaus Michael Thew as Wilmer
• Stage Manager – Elizabeth Buss
• Tech Director – Sarah Thomas
• Art Designer – Nora Oswald

Crowded Kitchen Players will hold auditions for its fall production, Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon, on:

• Wednesday, July 6th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and
• Friday, July 8th, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

at McCoole’s Arts & Events Place, 10 S. Main St. Quakertown. This will be the east coast premiere of this classic detective story based on the Dashiell Hammett’s novel and written by Helen Borger.

Looking for 12 actors:

• Sam Spade, 30 – 55
• Brigid, 25 – 40
• Captain, Gutman, 50 and up
• Five men, 30 – 55
• one male, 21 – 40
• one male, 21 – 30
• two women 35 – 50

All roles are open.

The Maltese Falcon will run September 23 – October 9th at McCoole’s Arts & Events Place. Actors will read from the script. Also needed are a stage manager, and light / sound volunteers, as well as box office / concession volunteers.

For more information or directions, please call 610.395.7176, email ckplayers@rcn.com or visit www.barliebwallace.com.

If you are unable to attend either audition, but would still like to be considered, please call or email and we will do our best to see if we can see you at another time.

The Crowded Kitchen Players’ production of “The 39 Steps,” now at McCoole’s Arts and Events Place in Quakertown, uses British Music Hall humor to create a fast-paced, delightfully original, acrobatic and clever mystery thriller.

Read the full article

Adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and the movie by Alfred Hitchcock

Directed by Ara Barlieb

The 39 Steps won Tony and Drama Desk Awards, 2008 and the BEST NEW COMEDY Lawrence Olivier Award, 2007!

More information

“Brendan” opens March 4th at McCoole’s Arts & Events Place and runs through March 20th. McCoole’s will also be hosting two “Dinner and a Show” events on March 17th and 19th.

More information

See the full event listing and get tickets/reservations here

See the full event info here