January 2022
Graphic design for Art of Murder by Carol Bassett.
Winter 2022 Readers' Theatre Cancelled; Preparations for Art of Murder Underway
Sadly, the Penfield Players board had to cancel the winter 2022 Readers' Theatre production, originally scheduled for February. We are hoping to mount a summer reading. However, a summer play has not yet been selected.
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On a happier note, preparations are in full swing for the Penfield Players’ spring show, Art of Murder, by Joe DiPietro, which opens on Friday, April 29 for seven performances. Directed by Mary Ellen Blanchard, Art of Murder is the story of an art dealer, a disgruntled client, his client’s wife, and their housekeeper.
Set in the sitting room of a Connecticut country estate, no one is as they seem in this fast-paced story of double-dealing (pun intended) that combines mystery with a healthy dose of comedy. DiPietro’s Art of Murder won the 2000 Edgar Award for Best Mystery Play, an honor bestowed by the Mystery Writers of America, and he is the author of one of Penfield Players’ most successful productions, Over the River and Through the Woods.
The cast features:
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Doug Curry as Vincent Cummings, the art dealer
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Devon Harris as Jack Brooks, the art dealer’s client
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Kelly Hobson as Annie Brooks, Jack’s wife
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Shawnda Juie as Kate, the Brooks’ housekeeper
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All performances are at the Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Rd., in Penfield. Performances are on April 29, April 30, May 6, May 7, May 13, and May 14 at 8:00 p.m. There is a matinee on Saturday, May 7, at 2:00 p.m. Note that our matinee will be on a Saturday, rather on a Sunday, for this performance.
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Tickets will go on sale the week of April 4 online at penfieldrec.org, by phone at 585.340.8655 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, and in person at the Penfield Community Center. Tickets are $14 in advance and $17 at the door. Group rates are available for groups of ten or more.
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We will be following the town of Penfield's Covid protocols in effect at the time of performance. Audience members may be required to wear masks that cover nose and mouth while in the Penfield Community Center.
The Haunting of Hill House a Great Success
The Penfield Players concluded a highly successful run of The Haunting of Hill House on November 13, 2021. It was our first main stage production in two years. We didn’t know what to expect – would our audiences return after a two-year hiatus? The answer was a resounding “yes!” We sold over 380 tickets and more than 400 people attended the seven performances, exceeding our expectations. Our Sunday matinee, always one of our most popular performances, had over 80 people in attendance.
In addition to our remarkable cast and production team (who created an amazing “swinging wall”), we appreciate the assistance of the many volunteers who worked backstage and who staffed the concession table, the box office, and the 50/50 raffle table as well as those who greeted our guests and ushered them to their seats. We even had an entire Girl Scout troop assisting us at one of our performances. As always, we are thankful for the continuing support of the Penfield Parks and Recreation Department and their staff, especially their custodian, Bill Buttle, and their liaison to the Penfield Players, Pam Gerace, as well as the work of our talented graphic artist, Carol Bassett, who designs all of our flyers, posters, and postcards. If you enjoyed The Haunting of Hill House, we hope to see you at Art of Murder, which opens in April!
The Haunting of Hill House cast, l to r: D. Scott Adams, Nicole Iaquinto, Jose Ortiz, Jessica Giordano, Andrea Daszkiewicz, and Andreas Woerner. Photo by Rachel Brill.
Penfield Players board members, Ron Dufort and Nick Daszkiewicz, help take down The Haunting of Hill House set, which Nick helped design and build.
Interested in Joining the Penfield Players Board?
Karen as Mother Magee in our spring Reader's Theatre, Cinderella Walt
The Penfield Players are looking to fill a volunteer position on our board as one of our four Logistics Directors. Long-time board member Christopher Woods Marlin has stepped down after many years of service to the Players. We are grateful for his contributions to the Penfield Players as, among other things a board member, an actor, and a director.
The board consists of 14 members, each with a portfolio of board responsibilities. The Logistics Directors assist with maintaining our inventory of set pieces, props, costumes, tools, and other supplies as well as with set design, set construction (and tear down), props, and costumes needed for each production. The Players usually do two mainstage productions a year, a Readers’ Theatre, and a Fringe Festival production. We are particularly interested in those who may be able to help us with set design and/or set construction.
The Penfield Players is one of the longest-running community theatre production companies in the Rochester area. We currently meet the second Saturday of each month, either in-person at the Penfield Community Center 1985 Baird Rd., Penfield or via Zoom, depending on Covid safety protocols. Prior experience with the Players is preferred but not necessary. The Penfield Players especially seek applications from members of underrepresented groups, including, but not only, members of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.
For more information about the Players, you can visit our Web site at or our Facebook page. If you are interested in being considered for the board position, please e-mail a note of interest and a theatrical resume. You may also use this e-mail address if you have questions about the position.
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