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To the generous sponsors of The Mousetrap

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Show Information
Hale Centre Theatre's production of

By
Agatha Christie
Directed by
Jim Christian
“The Mousetrap” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.; www.concordtheatricals.com
Production Team
Producer: Mark Dietlein
Director: Jim Christian
Production Stage Manager: Jess Edling
Scenic Design: Jenn Taylor
Production Artist: Madeline Ashton
Costume Design: Peggy Willis
Lighting Design: Colin Skip Wilson
Sound Design: Michelle Ohumukini
Properties Design: Michelle Jensen
Hair & Make-up Design: Trisha Ison
Video/Projection Design: Bobby Gibson
Director’s Notes
How does one begin to explore the longest-running stage play in history? Easy. Talk about the mysterious genius behind the murder and mayhem.
Agatha Christie was born in 1890 into an upper-middle-class family in England and was largely home schooled. At the age of 15, she was sent to Paris to attend a series of boarding schools. She wrote her first short story at the age of 18, married at 24, gave birth to their only daughter at 29, and, after a series of 6 rejections, her first detective novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was published.
While her husband was serving in the military, Agatha worked as an apothecary during which time she became fascinated with poisons. When her husband, who had been having an affair, asked her for a divorce, she disappeared leaving her car perched above a chalk quarry with an expired driver’s license and some of her clothing. After she was discovered ten days later checked into a hotel under the name of her husband’s lover, she was sequestered and diagnosed with a genuine loss of memory. Whether her actions were the result of a nervous breakdown, a publicity stunt, or an attempt to frame her husband for murder, has never been determined.
She went on to a second marriage with an archaeologist 13 years her junior whom she met on a trip to Iraq. (That journey was taken on none other than the notorious Orient Express.) This marriage was a success and they remained together until her death at the age of 85.
During her life, she was granted the title of “Dame” by Queen Elizabeth for her literary accomplishments. Her legacy is vast. She has been named the best-selling fiction author of all time with sales topping 2 billion as of 1971. Her stage play, The Mousetrap, holds the record for the longest-running play in history with an uninterrupted engagement on the West End from 1952 through 2020, closing only because of the pandemic. She has penned a total of 72 novels, 14 short story collections, and a series of plays.
Intriguing?
“Intrigue” could easily be Dame Agatha Christie’s middle name.
And it is our hope that your visit to the snowbound confines of Monkswell Manor will prove to be no less engaging than this fascinating author herself.
— Jim Christian
Synopsis of Scenes
Scene 1
The Great Hall at Monkswell Manor. Late afternoon
Scene 2
Monkswell Manor. The next day, after lunch.
Synopsis of Scenes
Scenes
The same. Ten minutes later.
Cast in Order of Appearance
Cast Biographies
Mollie Ralston

Morgan Fenner
MON · WED · FRI
Excited to be back on the HCT stage; Morgan’s favorite credits include: Harman Theatre - The Odd Couple: Female Version (Florence Unger); HCT - Bright Star (Margo Crawford), Seussical (Mrs. Mayor), and The Scarlet Pimpernel (Marie); CPT - Crazy for You (Polly); Edinburgh Fringe Festival - What the Moon Saw (Moon).
She trained at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Performance from UVU. “Special thanks to my tribe (my family, my mom, Larissa, Michael, and of course, my love and castmate, Clayton) for always supporting my love of playing pretend.”

Kristi Curtis
TUES · THURS · SAT
Kristi’s favorite credits include: HCT - Guys and Dolls (Miss Adelaide), Mary Poppins (Mrs. Brill), and Cinderella (Charlotte); Harman Theatre - The Odd Couple: Female Version (Olive Madison); Centerpoint Theatre - The Crucible (Elizabeth Proctor); Good Company Theatre - Marie Antoinette (Madame de Polignac).
Other credits include: Director (CPT) - Camelot; and Choreographer (CPT) - You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, 1776, and Children of Eden. She has a Bachelor of Science in Acting from Weber State University and works as an Events Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “I love autumn! It's so much richer than spring” - Agatha Christie
Giles Ralston

Clayton Barney
MON · WED · FRI
Clayton is thrilled to be back at Hale Centre Theatre. Favorite credits include: HCT - Mary Poppins (Robertson Ay), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and The Scarlet Pimpernel; West Valley City Arts - Arsenic and Old Lace (Mortimer Brewster); and CPT - Holiday Inn (Jim Hardy).
Clayton attended Western Wyoming College and Weber State University and holds a Musical Theatre degree. “I am extremely honored to perform with such incredibly talented players. Thank you to all of my people who support me in what I love to do.”

Some of BJ’s favorite credits include: HCT - Murder on the Orient Express, Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Cinderella, Phantom, and The Wizard of Oz; Weber State University - Will Rogers Follies, Sleepy Hollow The Musical, The Lion in Winter, Tartuffe, Assassins, and JingleJacks; The Grand Theatre - Forever Plaid and First Date; CenterPoint Legacy Theatre - Shrek The Musical and Into the Woods.
BJ holds a Bachelor's Degree in Musical Theatre from Weber State University and works as a freelance voiceover artist and Audiobook Narrator as well as a Substitute teacher for Ogden School District. “For my ‘Match Made in Space’ Danielle.”
Christopher Wren

Making his Hale Centre Theatre debut! Samuel’s favorite credits include Shrek: The Musical (Pinocchio) and Little Shop of Horrors (Mr. Mushnik) with Murray City Cultural Arts, A Christmas Carol (Topper/Solicitor) with HCTO; and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Lumière) with SCERA Center for the Arts. He serves as Content Director at Osmond Marketing.

Colton was most recently seen on our stage as Hector MacQueen in Murder on the Orient Express; other HCT credits include Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical (Merv), Cinderella, The Scarlet Pimpernel (Bredeson), and The Music Man.
Other favorite credits include Romeo/Brooklyn (Newsies) at CPT, Mr. Applegate (Damn Yankees), Ladislav Sipos (She Loves Me), and himself (35mm) at Weber State University. He is a graduate of WSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre and has previously worked as a performer at the Walt Disney World Resort. “Expect the unexpected.”
Mrs. Boyle

Heidi is thrilled to be back on the HCT stage, having recently performed in last season’s production of Murder on the Orient Express. Stage credits include: A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Fezziwig) with Hale Center Theater Orem and Blithe Spirit (Madam Archarti) at Covey Arts Center.
Heidi holds a BA Honors Degree in Contemporary Craft from the University College Falmouth, Cornwall, U.K., and works as Office Manager at Risen Life Church. “Life is not a rehearsal.”

Bonnie Wilson Whitlock
TUES · THURS · SAT
Bonnie’s favorites include: HCT - A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, 9 to 5: The Musical, The Curious Savage, Hello Dolly, The Wedding Singer, and See How They Run; HCTO - Annie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and In the Heights; Sandy Amphitheatre - Into The Woods and The Wizard of Oz;
Sundance Summer Theatre - L’il Abner; as well as The Wiz, Nunsense, Oklahoma!, Joseph…Dreamcoat, and Pippin at various theatres. She holds a BFA in Musical/Dance/Theatre from BYU and works as an Account Manager for 3M HIS, private Voice, Acting, and Musical Theatre instructor. “None of us have time for ‘What If’s’ so simply put… ALWAYS jump on those opportunities!”
Major Metcalf

Bradley Moss
MON · WED · FRI
Bradley is excited to be returning to Hale Centre Theatre. Favorite stage credits include: Murder on the Orient Express, Newsies, Cash on Delivery!, and The Diary of Anne Frank with Hale Centre Theatre and A Christmas Carol (Marley) and Tuck Everlasting with Hale Center Theater Orem, along with directing credits at HCTO, BYU, and Provo Theatre Company.
Bradley holds a BA in Theatre Education and MA in Media Literacy and Film from BYU and currently teaches Theatre at Mountain Ridge High School. “Love to Shawnda, Ton, Ike, and Bel.”

Douglas is thrilled to be back on the HCT stage. His favorite stage credits include The Scarlet Pimpernel (Percy/Chauvelin), Big Fish (Edward Bloom), Mary Poppins (Mr. Banks), Ragtime (Father), Catch Me if You Can (Frank Abagnale Sr.), Footloose (Reverend Shaw), The Who’s Tommy (Captain Walker), Assassins (John Wilkes Booth), Pageant (Miss Texas), and 1776 (Thomas Jefferson). He holds a BFA in Music Dance Theatre from BYU.
Miss Casewell

Kaitlyn is grateful to be back performing with HCT. Favorite stage credits include: HCT - Murder on the Orient Express, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and The Music Man; Weber State - Nice Work If You Can Get It and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; and Good Company Theatre - Pirated.
Kaitlyn has a Bachelor's Degree in Musical Theatre from Weber State University. She sings with her in-laws, “LeBaron Singers” and has performed with Kelly Clarkson, America’s Got Talent, and TedX Salt Lake City. “Thank you, Jim, for being my mentor, and most importantly, for being my friend.”

Making her HCT debut! Taylor comes to our stage with a varied repertoire, including South Pacific with Opera San Luis Obispo and 2x5 at the International Fringe Festival. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Rockford University.
“Thank you to my incredible family for their undying support. Thank you to the cast and crew for their work and talent. And a big thank you to Agatha Christie for always letting us play detective.”
Mr. Paravacini

Chandler Bishop
MON · WED · FRI
Chandler was most recently seen on the HCT stage as Monsieur Bouc in last season’s production of Murder on the Orient Express. Additional credits include: HCT - The Addams Family (Mal Beineke), AIDA (Pharaoh), Big River (Duke), and Ghost: The Musical (Willy Lopez); Gerald Lynch Theater - Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd) and Macbeth (Macbeth).
Chandler is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Saint John’s University. Chandler teaches theater and literature at West Jordan High School. “I would like to thank my wonderful wife, parents, and children for their love and support.”

Anthony Lovato
TUES · THURS · SAT
Anthony is honored to be joining the company of The Mousetrap. Other stage credits include: Murder on the Orient Express (Michel/Head Waiter), The Scarlet Pimpernel (Prince of Wales/Robespierre), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (The Child Catcher) with Hale Centre Theatre; and The 39 Steps with HCTO and CenterPoint Legacy Theatre. Anthony works as an audiobook narrator, Personal Coach with The Orion Way, and co-host of the podcast “Orion Way of Life”. “So grateful for my fiance, Nickie, and son for always being so supportive of my passions.” Antheratops.com theorionway.com
Detective Sergeant Trotter

Adam Packard
MON · WED · FRI
Appearing for the first time on the HCT Sandy stage! Adam’s other credits include The Importance of Being Earnest (Jack Worthing) and Charley’s Aunt (Charley Wykeham), both with Hale Center Theater Orem; The Time Traveler’s Radio Show: Season One (Alex) - a podcast; and a Character Performer at Walt Disney World. In addition, he works as an Onboarding Technician at Weave Communications.

Bradley Mackay
TUES · THURS · SAT
Making his HCT debut! Bradley’s favorite credits include Peter and the Starcatcher with Hale Centre Theatre Orem and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at BYU. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from BYU and works as a Storyteller at Weber State University and Story Crossroads storytelling festivals.

Production Team Biographies
Director

Jim Christian
Jim is a professor emeritus from Weber State University with over 45 years of professional experience as a director, teacher, actor, writer, and producer in the areas of theatre, television and film. He has worked as a director and choreographer for the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, Pioneer Theatre Company, Hale Centre Theatre, Centerpoint Legacy Theatre, Utah Opera Company, Utah Symphony, Old Lyric Repertory Company, Utah Musical Theatre, Park City Egyptian Theatre, the Grand Theatre, and theatres in California, Arizona, Montana, Florida, Wyoming, Tennessee, and Illinois.
His original musicals Pirated!, Sleepy Hollow (National KCACTF Musical Theatre Playwriting Award), Five Carols for Christmas, JingleJacks, and The Plain Princess have been published by Steele Spring Stage Rights, and have been produced in venues across the country including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. He was the recipient of Utah’s Best of State award in 2006 for “Outstanding University Professor.” He was also named “Presidential Distinguished Professor” at Weber State in 2009 at which time he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities. Jim is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and The Dramatists Guild.
Production Stage Manager

Jess Edling
Jess is thrilled to be at the helm of The Mousetrap. Other HCT credits include Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Phantom, Steel Magnolias, and Matilda. Other favorite credits from California and Utah theatres include Silent Sky, Much Ado About Nothing, Sweeney Todd, Gyspy, Tintypes, West Side Story, The Gog/Magog Project, Peter and the Starcatcher, Arsenic & Old Lace, Neil Simon’s Eugene trilogy, and the World Premiere of Edison & Tesla: An Original Musical. She wants to thank her boys, who give up so much for her to keep doing theatre and never stop supporting her.
Scenic Designer

Jenn Taylor
Jenn’s work was most recently seen as the Scenic Designer for Bright Star, The Addams Family, Freaky Friday, and Steel Magnolias. Recent costume design credits for HCT: Guys and Dolls, The Wizard of Oz, and Aida. Other Scenic Designs for HCT include The Nerd, A Bundle of Trouble, Big River, Beau Jest, Over the River and Through the Woods, Is He Dead?, The Foreigner, The 39 Steps, and The Game’s Afoot.
Jenn has also done scenic design for Utah State Theater’s Lincoln Center’s KCACT award-winning design for Sweeney Todd, Mad Woman of Chailott, and lighting designer for Love's Labour's Lost, Utah Lyric’s The Foreigner, Sandy City’s Hairspray, and Park City’s Jesus Christ Superstar, My Fair Lady, Trailer Park, and many more. Jenn has a BFA from the U of U in Theatre Design and an MFA from Utah State in Scenic Design. Jenn has been with HCT for ‘nigh on 21 years.’ “A special thanks to my family, who help me every day to continue my passion in theatre design. A special thanks to Isaac, who thinks I’m the best designer in the world...you’re sweet.”
Production Artist

Madeline Ashton
@madelinemakesartAs an accomplished artist and associate Designer, Madeline’s work was recently seen in our productions of Guys and Dolls, Les Miserables, A Tale of Two Cities, Disney’s Tarzan, Murder on the Orient Express, Million Dollar Quartet, Baz Lurhman’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Bright Star, Seussical, Matilda, and Cinderella.
Other scenic design credits include: Daddy Long Legs, Murder on the Orient Express (HCT); Oklahoma! (Sundance); Distance of the Moon (Sackerson); and Let The Right One In, and Angels in America (An Other Theatre). Madeline earned a Bachelor Of Fine Arts in Scenic Design from Utah Valley University.
Costume Design

Peggy Willis
Peggy has designed & sewn for HCT since 2005. She lists some of her favorite designs as The Heart of Robin Hood, Peter and the Starcatcher, Big Fish, Tarzan, Les Miserables, The Civil War, The Three Musketeers, Treasure Island, Aida (2006), The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Matilda.
Peggy enjoys the design process but also loves stepping back to be a “sewing/crafting gremlin” in the costume shop. Peggy holds a BFA in Costume Design for Theatre from USU and currently works full-time in HCT’s Costume Shop. “Love and thanks to my family for their enthusiasm and support when my theatre world engulfs the real one!”
Lighting Design

Colin Skip Wilson
ColinSkipWilson.comColin has always had a love and passion for lighting which has led to him being the assistant lighting designer on The Atlanta Ballet’s production of La Sylphide and the assistant lighting designer onboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas for their original production of Flight: Dare to Dream.
Colin is currently the resident lighting designer for Kaysville City Musical where his credits include AIDA, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Hello, Dolly!, and Cinderella. As a student of Utah Valley University, pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatrical Design and Production, his credits include Urinetown, Leave Room for Magic!, Curtains Up: Songs of Love & Laughter, and James and the Giant Peach. Colin’s assistant and associate lighting design credits include Giselle (Ballet West), Radium Girls (BYU), She Loves Me (UVU), The Red Bike (PYGmalion), Oklahoma! & Mamma Mia! (Sundance Summer Theatre).
Sound Design

Michelle Ohumukini
Michelle has always loved telling stories. Being Hawaiian has helped her gain experience in events from a young age. She decided to dive into finding out more about sound and how it functions. This path led her to her MFA in Sound for the Performing Arts from Purdue University.
She has designed shows from Utah to Indiana, toured all over the United States and Central America, worked with touring groups from Olivia Newton-John to Pentatonix, and has worked many local performances in three different states. Michelle loves theater and being able to use sound to help tell the story. She currently serves on the Sound Commission of the United States Institute of Theater Technology (USITT) and is a member of Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA). “Thank you to the outstanding sound team and making life easier!”
Properties Design

Michelle Jensen
Michelle is extremely passionate about details, research, beautiful and interesting “things,” anything to do with flowers, and opening packages. She recently designed her 81st show with our production of The Secret Garden; some of her other favorite designs have included The Drowsy Chaperone, Over The River..., Les Miserables, Tarzan, Tuck Everlasting, My Fair Lady, Aida, and She Loves Me.
She retired from teaching first grade after 32 years. Michelle is thrilled to be part of the HCT production team and is grateful for the encouragement and support of her three beautiful daughters, two charming sons-in-law, and her amazing husband, Steve.
Hair & Make Up Design

Trisha Ison
Some of Trisha’s favorite designs for HCT: Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Matilda, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Sister Act, The Pirate Queen, Big Fish, Is He Dead?, Les Miserables, Brigadoon, The 39 Steps, Zorro the Musical, A Tale of Two Cities and Hello, Dolly!.
Trisha holds a BA in Theatre Studies from the U of U and has worked at Pioneer Theatre Company, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Utah Opera, Ballet West, Utah Festival Opera, as well as touring productions of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Edward Scissorhands, and Rat Pack Live at the Sands. “Thank you to the best wig crew in the business, you guys make it all happen! Love and thanks to Krissa and Candice for keeping this team afloat!"




September 13 – November 20
The World’s Longest Running Play! Having performed continuously on London’s West End since 1952, this is Agatha Christie at her finest! A young couple renovate an old monastery into a boarding house. Each visitor is salted with mystic. Add a murder in the nearby village … Add a powerful winter storm … Add the comedy of a well-conceived game and ‘Voila’ a mystery to die for! AND a mystery it remains as each onlooker is pledged not to reveal the culprit. A perfect thrill for a fall chill!
SORENSON LEGACY JEWEL BOX STAGE

November 8 – January 8
THRILL TO THE CAR THAT FLIES! ‘Oh, you pretty Chitty Bang Bang’! Come soar with the car that rattles, swims and flies as the whimsical adventures of Caractacus Potts, his darling children and the truly, Truly Scrumptious weave splendid adventures on HCT’s enchanted stage! The MGM movie made it timeless. London’s West End and Broadway made it sparkle anew. Based on Ian Fleming’s famous children’s book … the genius Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins) and Sams created the most fantasmigorical stage musical of all time! Book Early!