Monthly Archives: September 2017

Brush Creek announces final cast for “Christmas at the Blizzard” — Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 8!

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Director Michael Wood is pleased to announce the final cast for Christmas at the Blizzard: A Murder Mystery. “I am very pleased with this cast of newcomers, both to Brush Creek and the stage, as well as experienced actors from here and elsewhere. Rehearsals are well under way — the cast is having a great time, and I guarantee that you will too if you come to this show!”

This parlor mystery in the style of Agatha Christie was written by Emily Wood and Michael Wood and will open Friday, December 1 for a 3-weekend run. Performances are at 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with a 2 pm matinee on each Sunday.

Tickets go on sale at Books-N-Time in downtown Silverton and at Runaway Art & Craft Studio in downtown Salem on Wednesday, November 8. Tickets are $10, with discounts available for seniors, students and children. More on our ticket sales can be found at www.brushcreekplayhouse.com/ticket-information/.

The cast and characters are as follows:

TAVIS EVANS plays Lawrence MacGlaf: The handyman at the Blizzard Bed & Breakfast, “MacGlaf” has been in residence only a short while — and has a mysterious past.

EMILY WOOD plays Victoria Anderson: Margret Clay’s daughter, “Victoria” works with her mother at the Blizzard and is an avid fan of mystery novels.

MELISSA RICHARDS plays Margret Clay: Victoria Anderson’s mother, “Margret” is the owner of the Blizzard. But she has a secret she doesn’t want to share.

KARYL CARLSON plays Agatha Fair: Margret Clay’s mother, “Agatha” shares granddaughter Victoria’s love of a good mystery. But is she hiding one of her own?

RAENNA O’CONNOR plays Mary Rogers: An editor for a publishing house, “Mrs. Rogers” is a guest at the Blizzard who soon learns that not all surprises are appreciated.

NORMAN GOUVEIA plays Bruce Rogers: An author who has come to the Blizzard with his wife, “Rogers” doesn’t even own a sweater. But he has a secret.

MICHAEL WOOD plays Dr. Steven Armour: A doctor of podiatry and a guest at the Blizzard, “Armour” is hard for the others to get to know — and to like.

THIA EVANS plays Henrietta Frederickson: An unexpected visitor at the Blizzard, “Frederickson” arrives explaining that her car is in a ditch down the road.

RON DRAKE plays William Clay: Another newcomer to the Blizzard household with a mysterious past, “William” recently married Margret Clay after a whirlwind romance.

ALAINA LESKO plays Shelagh Trott: A police officer (“Detective, please!”) hunting a man suspected of killing his wife, is “Trott” really who she seems to be?

TOM BUCHHEIT plays Morgan Fellowes: An “Englishman” who arrives unexpectedly following a skiing accident, is “Morgan” really just a good-natured adventurer with nothing to hide?

LINDA ZELLNER plays Jordan Burns: An athletic “Englishwoman,” good-natured “Jordan” is disappointed to have her skiing adventure cut short. Or is she?

RICK RICKARD plays Robert Owens: Almost the last to arrive and definitely the first to leave, “Owens” is an author who can be counted on to provide the life of the party. But not this Christmas.

Membership Meeting Scheduled for 4 pm, Sunday, October 22

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The Brush Creek Board would like to invite all Brush Creek members and friends to join us at a membership meeting at 4 pm on Sunday, October 22 at the Playhouse.

We will be electing new officers, hearing a report from the Board on the 2018 season and other activities, and considering two proposed amendments to the Bylaws. The first would change the Bylaws to indicate that the regular annual membership meeting will “normally” be held in September. The second would slightly adjust the changes made last year so that membership would not expire until the end of the year after it was established or renewed.

“Kitchen Witches” canceled — “Christmas at the Blizzard” to open December 1

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We know that a number of audience members — as well as the cast — were looking forward to Brush Creek’s production of The Kitchen Witches. We regret, therefore, that we have to announce that we are not going to be able to put on the production.

That means that Brush Creek’s next production will be Christmas at the Blizzard: A Murder Mystery, which opens a three-weekend run on December 1.\

We apologize for any inconvenience, and we regret the unusually long gap between Brush Creek productions. We are in the process of putting together our 2018 season, and we will be announcing those plans very soon. In the meantime, please mark Blizzard on your calendars — this mystery by Emily Wood and Michael Wood is a “parlor mystery” in the Agatha Christie tradition, with suspense, humor and a set of mysteries that will keep you guessing until the play’s final moments!

Open Auditions for “Christmas at the Blizzard: A Murder Mystery” to be held September 6, 7, 13, & 14

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OPEN AUDITION NOTICE

Christmas at the Blizzard: A Murder Mystery returns to the Brush Creek stage.

Brush Creek Playhouse plans to close its 2017 season with the return of the marvelous mystery that first graced our stage in 2011. This parlor mystery by Emily and Michael Wood makes several conscious nods to Agatha Christie as it takes the audience down a series of twists and turns as the characters try to discover the truth – before it’s too late! The play is set at a remote bed and breakfast in the Northern California hills, and after gathering to celebrate the holidays in style, the characters discover that they are trapped at the Blizzard by a real blizzard. And one of their number is a killer!

Open auditions will be held at Brush Creek Playhouse (11535 Silverton Road (the intersection of Brush Creek & Silverton Roads) on the following days (although it is not required, interested individuals are encouraged to participate on multiple days if possible):

  • Wednesday, September 6 (7 pm)
  • Thursday, September 7 (7 pm)
  • Saturday, September 9 (1 pm)
  • Sunday, September 10 (1 pm)

We will use cold readings from the script and some other exercises. No monologues or other preparation is necessary, but it will be useful to have a record of any previous theater experience (first-time actors are also encouraged to try out).

Anyone interested in a role but unable to attend any of the auditions should contact director Michael Wood at mdwelpis@comcast.net or 503-508-3682 to make arrangements.

The production will run Friday, December 1 thru Sunday, December 17, with evening performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and matinees on Sundays.