by April Helms

Special Products Editor

There it was, right in the local paper: a personal ad in the local paper stating that a murder will take place at Miss Blacklock's Victorian cottage in the village of Chipping Cleghorn. But who would take out such a brazen ad? And why? And...who will the victim be?

This is the setup for Agatha Christie's "A Murder is Announced," which opened May 31. Artistic director Jim Fippin staged the production, which will be his last as the theater's artistic director, a position which he has occupied for seven seasons.

Fippin has assembled a stellar cast for this mystery, not in the least of whom are husband and wife team Linda and Steve Ryan, who play Miss Marple and Inspector Craddock, respectfully. Watching these veteran actors together playing these two reluctant allies was a treat.

Rounding out the cast include Kathy Turk as Letitia Blacklock, the owner of Chipping Cleghorn; Maureen Johnson as Dora "Bunny" Bunner, Blacklock's longtime friend; Christa Schwandt as Julia Simmons; Jeremy Joynt as Patrick Simmons; Jan Futhey as nosy neighbor Clara Swettenham; Rob Core as Clara's son Edmund; Christina Gingerich as the reserved Phillipa Haymes; Stephan Collins as Rudi Scherz; Jessica McFall as Mitzi; and Greg Bealer as Craddock's assistant Sgt. Mellors.

I was actually able to guess whodunit -- although more by a chance line of thought than mental prowess. But there were still plenty twists and turns to keep the audience guessing, because everyone here, in typical Christie style, seems to have a motive and has a secret.

Ticket, show information

"A Murder is Announced," runs through June 23. Those wishing to see this production may want to make their reservations early; the June 1 show was sold out.

Shows are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $15, and may be reserved by calling Coach House Theatre box office at 330-434-7741.

The theater is located at 732 W. Exchange St., behind the Akron Woman's City Club.

Next season

Coach House Theatre has announced its show lineup for the 2007-08 season.

The season will open with "The Mousetrap," by Agatha Christie, from Sept. 6 through 22. Following will be the musical "Oh Coward," which runs from Nov. 1 through 17. In 2008, Coach House will ring in the New Year with "Drowning Sorrows," which runs from Jan. 17 through Feb. 2. Next will be "Driving Miss Daisy," which runs from March 13 through 30. The final show will be the comedy "The Nerd," which will play from May 22 through June 14.

E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153