Towngate production has Steubenville connection
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WHEELING -- Comedic tales of revenge, blackmail, sex, money and jealousy are themes in Towngate Theatre's latest production, "Murderers" by acclaimed playwright Jeffrey Hatcher, a native of Steubenville.
Specially chosen and directed by Butch Maxwell, the production will close Towngate's 2020-21 season of community theater which is sponsored by Unified Bank.
Performed as three separate monologues, stories primarily center around a luxury retirement village in Florida's gulf coast. "Murderers" is not a whodunit -- instead, the culprits are introduced immediately. The fun for audiences will be following the how and why of three distinct cat-and-mouse mysteries as each killer confesses their plot, crimes and mishaps.
"While 'Murderers' has deeply poignant and tragic elements, it is essentially a dark comedy about three good and decent human beings who, through very unlikely circumstances, become killers," guest director Maxwell explained. "It is an absolutely unique experience in theater -- one that people will remember fondly for some time to come," he added.
Maxwell has cast veteran actors Vera Barton-Maxwell, Eric T. Dutton and Cathie Spencer.
"'Murderers' is truly an actor’s showcase, presented without a set, props or other actors with whom to interact. The storytelling abilities of the characters (and actors) and the imaginations of the audience will combine to move, amuse and inspire," Maxwell said.
Barton-Maxwell, who portrays Minka, is an audience favorite at Towngate for comedic roles like those in "Noises Off" and "The Last Night of Ballyhoo." Other credits include Martha in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and Aldonza in "Man of La Mancha."
Dutton, who portrays Gerald, is a veteran of more than 75 theater productions, many of those at Towngate. He is known for his love of Irish plays with memorable performances in "The Quiet Man," "Cripple of Inishmaan" and "The Shaughraun."
The versatile acting of Spencer, who portrays Lucy, has landed her numerous roles including those in "The Diary of Anne Frank" and "The Glass Menagerie." She works diligently behind the scenes as a member of the Friends of Towngate.
Tim Thompson, the director of performing arts at Oglebay Institute, said he is pleased Towngate can stage a production that meets current COVID-19 safety guidelines without alterations.
"With social distancing and mask wearing mandates, we've had to adjust many of the play selections for this season," Thompson says. "With this production, each actor is on-stage individually and can remain maskless. This lets their talents shine-through with facial expressions; capturing the full essence of each character and story."
Hatcher is an actor and award-winning playwright and screenwriter who graduated from Wintersville High School in 1976. The plays written by the son of the late Virginia and Paul Hatcher have been performed nationwide and on Broadway. His screenplays have starred a who’s-who of Hollywood and include "Stage Beauty" (2004), "Casanova" (2005), "The Duchess" (2008), "Mr. Holmes" (2015) and "The Good Liar" (2019). He also co-wrote the stage adaptation of "Tuesdays with Morrie."
Maxwell is the author of more than 50 produced plays, including his one-act "Fine," which was selected to be featured in Pittsburgh's New Works Festival. He has acted in more than 20 Towngate Theatre productions and is a member of the improvisation ensemble the Left of Centre Players. A communications professor at several local colleges, he is the co-founder and director of Mystery Theatre Unlimited and the new wave tribute band, the M-80s. In 2018, he directed Towngate's production of "August: Osage County."
"Murderers" will be staged May 7-9 and 14-15. Towngate's curtain is at 8 p.m., with a 3 p.m. matinee set for May 9. Tickets are $12.50 ($11 for OI members) and can be purchased at OIonline.com or by calling (304) 242-7700. Seating is limited.
Towngate Theatre is located in Wheeling's historic Centre Market district at 2118 Market St.