{"id":361985,"date":"2024-11-24T12:01:41","date_gmt":"2024-11-24T17:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=361985"},"modified":"2024-11-24T12:01:41","modified_gmt":"2024-11-24T17:01:41","slug":"delicious-witness-for-the-prosecution-at-bowie-community-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/11\/24\/delicious-witness-for-the-prosecution-at-bowie-community-theatre\/","title":{"rendered":"Delicious ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ at Bowie Community Theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"

Agatha Christie never seems to miss \u2014 and Witness for the Prosecution<\/em> is no exception. Although a departure from her typical murder mysteries, this courtroom drama is a wonderfully delicious take on the genre that, in true Christie fashion, has the audience guessing through the final moments.<\/p>\n

As an avid mystery reader, I love the feeling of \u201ccatching\u201d the right person before the final reveal. But what I enjoy even more is getting it all wrong. The surprise of being mistaken morphs into an excitement to figure out which red herring led me astray. Hearing the crowd loudly announce their verdict for the defendant in Witness<\/em> was great, but hearing the gasps when we found out we made the wrong call was even better. Christie\u2019s mastery with words extends to her innate understanding of the human mind \u2014 specifically what makes us trust the people and the stories we hear. It\u2019s no surprise that at least two other theaters in the DMV are also presenting her plays this season.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Nadia Palacios (Romaine Heilger) in \u2018Witness for the Prosecution.\u2019 Photo by Reed Sigmon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adapted from her short story \u201cTraitor\u2019s Hands,\u201d Witness for the Prosecution<\/em> takes audiences into the courtroom as the case for Leonard Vole unfolds. Young, simple, and naive, Leonard stands accused of the murder of Emily French, a rich older woman whom he had befriended. Seemingly unaware that he was married, Miss French had made Leonard her principal heir, casting doubt on their friendship and giving him a rather large motive for murder. When his wife, Romaine, agrees to testify in court, she does so on the part of the prosecution, rather than in defense of her husband. This twist accompanies shocking witness testimonies, impassioned outbursts from both sides of the witness stand, and a few well-placed jokes about the murder victim\u2019s eight cats, raising the stakes higher and higher as Leonard fights to escape the hangman\u2019s noose.<\/p>\n

Bowie Community Theatre\u2019s production is led by Jared Sever as Leonard Vole and Nadia Palacios as Romaine Heilger. These two performers are pure powerhouses, electrifying the stage each time they appear. Sever\u2019s performance of the daft defendant is incredibly charming; it\u2019s nigh impossible not to believe every word that comes out of his mouth. He handles moments of betrayal with sincerity and finds the most opportune moments to slip in some well-timed comedic relief. Palacios dominates the stage as Leonard\u2019s double-crossing wife, Romaine. She truly is \u201ca remarkable woman,\u201d slipping effortlessly from devoted spouse to strategic mastermind, playing her own game of chess and placing everyone in check long before they realize it. Every moment Sever and Palacios shared the stage was riveting, especially a particularly sharp twist in Act Three.<\/p>\n

Jerry Gietka\u2019s Sir Wilfrid Robarts and Paul Ballard\u2019s Myers serve as delightful foils to one another within the courtroom. As the attorneys for the defendant and the prosecution respectively, Gietka and Ballard bounce barbs back and forth as they question the witnesses for the trial. And special note should also be given to Stacy Kessler\u2019s strong performance of Janet Mackenzie, the late Miss French\u2019s chatty Irish housekeeper. The entire cast works well together, creating a strong ensemble led by Sever, Palacios, Gietka, and Ballard.<\/p>\n

\"\"
TOP: Jared Sever (Leonard Vole), Jerry Gietka (Sir Wilfrid Robarts), and Jason Braswell (Mayhew); ABOVE: Stacy Kessler (Janet MacKenzie) and David Robinson (Mr. Justice Wainwright), in \u2018Witness for the Prosecution.\u2019 Photos by Reed Sigmon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dan Lavanga\u2019s set design leans heavily into the world of naturalism; the two locations are realistic representations of an English courtroom and an attorney\u2019s chambers. Linda Swann\u2019s costumes are befitting the 1950s, with high-waisted suits for the gentlemen and flared silhouettes for the women. Alan Barnett\u2019s direction smartly places the audience into the seats of the jurors, with attorneys, witnesses, and the defendant playing directly out past the apron. I would have personally preferred a bit more dynamic movement and consistent playing to the jury\/audience throughout, but I understand and appreciate the choice to present a more realistic courtroom environment on stage.<\/p>\n

Overall, Bowie Community Theatre\u2019s Witness for the Prosecution<\/em> is a solid production led by a group of phenomenal performers. The final twist is handled with the utmost care \u2014 and that communal gasp from the audience at the reveal is worth the trip out to the Bowie Playhouse.<\/p>\n

Running Time: Three hours including two intermissions (15 and 10 minutes).<\/p>\n

Witness for the Prosecution<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/a>plays on weekends (excluding Thanksgiving weekend) through December 15, 2024, presented by Bowie Community Theatre<\/a> performing at Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Park Dr., Bowie, MD. Purchase tickets ($25, general; $20, seniors and students) online,<\/strong><\/a> by phone at the BCT Hotline at 301-805-0219, or by email (boxoffice@bctheatre.com<\/a>) prior to the performance date.<\/p>\n

COVID Safety:<\/strong> Masks are optional but encouraged for all guests.<\/p>\n

Witness for the Prosecution<\/strong><\/em>
\nWritten by Agatha Christie
\nDirected by Alan Barnett<\/p>\n

CAST
\nGreta\/Barrister\/The Girl: Maria Mitiuriev
\nCarter\/Clegg\/Barrister: Bill Fellows
\nMayhew: Jason Braswell
\nLeonard Vole: Jared Sever
\nSir Wilfrid Robarts: Jerry Gietka
\nInspector Hearne: Jack Mayo
\nDetective\/Dr. Wyatt\/ Policeman: Chris Wargo
\nRomaine Heilger: Nadia Palacios
\nMr. Justice Wainwright: David Robinson
\nMyers: Paul Ballard
\nUsher: Sophie Barnet-Higgins
\nJanet Mackenzie: Stacy Kessler
\nWoman: Diana Calapios<\/p>\n

PRODUCTION TEAM
\nProducers: Alan & Penni Barnett
\nDirector: Alan Barnett
\nStage Manager: Penni Barnett
\nIntimacy Choreographer: Emily Sucher
\nSet Designer: Dan Lavanga
\nDialect Coach: Alden Michels
\nCostume Designer: Linda Swann
\nHair & Makeup Designer: Rebecca Kotraba
\nSet Dresser\/Decorator: Penni Barnett
\nProperties Designer: Penni Barnett
\nSound Designer: Fred Nelson
\nLighting Design: Bowie Playhouse Staff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Agatha Christie’s courtroom drama has the audience guessing and gasping. 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