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Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder play
Go Back for Murder
Blair Academy Players Stage Go Back for Murder
Suzy Logan

The Blair Academy Players will bring to life one of Agatha Christie’s most beloved stories in a production to be staged on May 9, 10 and 11 in Wean Theatre beginning at 7:30 p.m. Members of the Blair community will be admitted for no charge and tickets for the general public will cost $5 for students and $10 for adults.

The play, which is directed by Assistant Dean of College Counseling Britt Freitag, along with assistant director Dean of Teaching and Learning Gwyneth Connell and student director Arjun Chopra ’21, focuses on Carla Le Marchant (played by Olivia McLaine ’20), who believes her late mother, Caroline Crale (also played by Olivia), was wrongly convicted of the murder of her father, Amyas Crale (played by Omar Ali ’20). In a passionate attempt to clear her mother’s name in 1964, Carla persuades those present on the day of her father’s death to return to the scene of the crime and “go back” 16 years to 1948 to recount their version of events. The play puts an unusual spin on the traditional murder mystery, seamlessly slipping from past to present and examining the danger of relying on personal testimony warped by time, prejudice and perception. 

“Agatha Christie nerds and laypeople alike will enjoy this show,” said Ms. Freitag. “It is a fun and accessible production, and our actors are fabulous. They have put a ton of work into it, and the vintage costumes are simply stunning!”

Ms. Freitag calls working with the play’s cast “a blast.” “I’ve directed college students and adults, but this is the first time I’ve worked with high school students,” she said. “I appreciate their energy and enthusiasm and their willingness to take risks in their work, something that isn’t always easy to do. Our cast takes their work seriously—while remaining coachable—and they share my commitment that this show will be as professional and exceptional as possible.” 

In addition to Olivia, two other Players have dual roles in the production. Besides serving as student director, Arjun is stage manager, and Omar also plays Jeff Rogers, Carla’s fiance. Rounding out the cast, Kendrick Ng Yow ’19 plays Justin Fogg, Caroline Crale’s lawyer; Sofia Ciminello ’22 plays Philamena Blake, Amyas’s best friend from childhood; Annie Mulholland ’20 plays Meredith Blake, Philamena’s sister; Aavya Dev ’20  plays Elsa Greer, Amyas’s mistress and subject of his newest painting; Kelsey Jackman ’20 plays Caroline’s half-sibling, Angela Warren; Alex Schamberger ’22 plays Angela’s former governess, Ms. Williams; and English department chair James Moore plays the law office clerk, Mr. Turnball. Sonia Hanson, wife of Blair fine arts teacher Robert Hanson, is also helping to coordinate costumes for the production.

To reserve tickets or for more information about the production, please email Ms. Connell at conneg@blair.edu

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