Rehearsals have already set sail for GreenMan Theatre’s latest murder mystery dinner theatre fundraiser Gillian’s Island: Dead Wreckoning, written and directed by Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff. Several actors who have appeared in a variety of previous murder mysteries recently shared their thoughts on past shows, the current show, and why working with GreenMan is a special thing.
Shazad Mehta is in his eleventh GreenMan murder mystery, so he has missed only one such production in the theatre company’s twelve year history. His GreenMan start came innocently enough. “I had just moved back to the area and was looking to get more involved in pretty much anything. I had done some theatre, mostly performance stuff, in college and felt the itch to get back into it. I saw an article in the local paper about open auditions for a show and gave it a shot,” Mehta said.
Vicky Giannini is in her fourth murder mystery. She first appeared in the 2012 production How the West Was Done In. “I was very disheartened after auditioning for colleges, universities, and BFA programs. Though I wasn’t sure if I was interested in getting back into the theatre world, something was missing from my life. I auditioned because the show focused on a western that was set in the 60s. It sounded like fun, so I gave it a shot. To my delight, I was cast! Throughout that experience, among others at GreenMan, I have made wonderful, lifelong friends,” Giannini explained.
Rhys Read is in his second murder mystery. He began the process as an audience member before auditioning. “I had been involved in theater on and off since high school in the 70’s but had not appeared in a play for 12 years. After watching the 2014 murder mystery I felt ready to get back into theater, and told myself I was auditioning for next year’s show.” Read was cast in that show and returns for a second time this year.
In Gillian’s Island: Dead Wreckoning, the famous castaways who embarked on a “three hour cruise,” tempt fate again a number of years later, with disastrous results. Who knew that “lightning,” (in the form of a terrible storm) would strike twice?? Some of the original group come with the Skipper to help a pair of archaeologists explore the caves for native artifacts, while others arrive at the island with Gillian, who is captain of a “Love Boat” style cruise ship…which gets shipwrecked as well.
Hilarity ensues when “pirates” from a movie set show up, bent on treasure hunting…and they are shipwrecked, too! What do the caves contain: only historical artifacts, or priceless treasure? Soon, the hunt is on, and the result will be a “dead reckoning” for someone!
All three actors reflected on the GreenMan experience. “It’s been wonderful to work with everyone involved in Greenman and see the organization grow. This show alone went from a 3 show one weekend event to a 5 show 2 weekend event that regularly sells out. The transition from GreenMan purchasing the scripts to Carolyn writing a completely original script has been seamless in my eyes,” Mehta said. “Since the cast is together the majority of the evenings throughout the week, a family bond grows. Even though I don’t have the ability to be in constant contact with many of my friends from the theatre, I look forward to these two months of the year,” Giannini added. “The best part is the camaraderie, both with the cast from last year and with the new members of the cast,” Read concluded.
The show will run for 5 performances on Feb. 19, 20, 26, 27, and 28. Tickets are already on sale. These interactive shows tend to sell out quickly. Tickets are $50 and include the show and a full-course Italian meal and dessert. Free parking is available. Audiences are encouraged but not required to dress up in the spirit of the evening. The actors, in character, will mingle with the crowd for the social hour before the show begins as well as during meal breaks. During this time, the audience can pick up clues as to who the culprit will be. By the end of the show, patrons will have a chance to fill out a form as to whom they feel did it and why. Correct guessers will have a chance to win a prize. Tickets must be reserved and paid for in advance.
Shows on Feb. 19, 20, 26, and 27 begin at 7 PM. The show on Feb. 28 begins at 6 PM.
Appearing in Gillian’s Island: Dead Wreckoning are Arthur Andersen [Hinsdale] as Little Buddy, Louie Bartolomeo [Oak Park] as Gilbert and as Gherbert, Chris Cavanaugh [Chicago] as Fonzo, Marilyn Connolly [Elmhurst] as the Purser, Maureen Corcoran [Wheaton] as Gillian, Maureen Denhof [Wheaton] as Christine, Jon Ehrenstrom [Alsip] as the Chef, Patrick Feeney [Park Ridge] as the Announcer, Vicky Giannini [Chicago] as Maryann and will be the assistant music director, Tom Hughes [Elmhurst] as Herman, Tom Hussey [Arlington Heights] as the Skipper, Colleen McDermott [Mount Prospect] as Gemma, Brian S. McLeod [Addison] as Arthur, Shazad Mehta [Elmhurst] as Alonzo, Jerry Moore [Lombard] as the Professor, Maggie Opal [Glen Ellyn] as Angela, Rhys Read [Des Plaines] as Thurston, Mary-Carol Riehs [Elmhurst] as Lovey, Michael Silverman [Wheaton] as George, Aaron Tanzer [West Chicago] as Gonzo, Kate Troc [Elmhurst] as Ginger, Jeffrey Wilson [Chicago] as Bonzo.
All performances will take place in the banquet room at Angelo’s Ristorante at 247 N. York St. in Elmhurst. For additional information or for tickets, go to www.greenmantheatre.org