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Woodland Hills Community Theatre

Very Proudly Presents...

An unhappy game of romantic Follow the Leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow, home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatell. John Cristow is at the center of the trouble, for at The Hollow are Henrietta, his mistress, Veronica, his ex-mistress, and Gerda, his wife. When the crime is committed everyone has a motive, and all had the opportunity. This is as good a stage whodunit as they come. A mystery lovers dream.

Directed by:Jon Berry
Featuring:
Eddie Applegate, Amanda Bauman, Frank Collins, Craig Elkin, Paul Fanning Tom Hyer, Veronica Krestow, Holly Martin, Amanda Poliakin, Joanne Zahorsky-Reeves, Nancy Seale Shirley, Greg Ungar and our dedicated crew

Who's Who

Eddie Applegate (Sir Henry Angkatell, K.C.B.) began his professional career on stage in Out Town at the famous Bucks County Playhouse, north of Philadelphia. Commercials in New York City soon followed as well as appearances in many TV shows of the mid and late 50's. Including the first video taped hour drama, an episode of Robert Montgomery Presents and Kraft Theater's classic "A Night to Remember". His stage role as Hugo in Bye, Bye, Birdie led to his being Patty Duke's boyfriend in that mid-sixties series. His TV roles ran from comedy, the Lucy Show to drama on Gunsmoke and cable TV on "Million Dollar Mysteries". Two years ago, he starred in a CBS Movie of the Week and appeared locally on stage in Our Town. He played Sidney Redlitch in the Drama Guilds production of "Bell, Book & Candle" while The Patty Duke Reunion Movie was being seen on TNT. Eddie will next work on a independent film entitled the "Exorcism". Eddie and his better half, Betty, live in Chatsworth.

Amanda Bauman (Henrietta Angkatell) is originally from Kansas City, MO. She went to college at The University of Kansas, where she received two degrees in theatre and advertising. Deciding that acting was her true calling she moved to LA, and has been studying acting with Allen Feinstein for two and half years. This is her first production at the West Valley Playhouse, and she is very excited about it.

Frank Collins (Inspector Colquhoun) is very happy to be the “Inspector” for the third year running in the West Valley Playhouse’s Agatha Christie, and just last January performed his one man show here for the second year running, so West Valley Playhouse feels like home. Frank was nominated for a Woody Award in Murder at the Vicarage and won entertainer of the year 2000 at Fairfax Follies. Thanks to Jon Berry and Holly Martin for all there help and work.

Craig Elkin (Sergeant Penny) has studied acting, voice-overs and singing for several years now. Among his credits are playing the lead role in the play "Split" in 1996, and playing the announcer and Abe Lincoln in a Page-Net television commercial. He also appears regularly in local courtrooms on his day job as a lawyer. Craig would like to thank Jon Berry for giving him this opportunity to play Sergeant Penny, and also thank Ken Womble, his long-time acting teacher; Angela, his sweetheart, for being patient with his time; and Melanie, his daughter, who is always a source of inspiration.

Paul Fanning (Gudgeon) is making his debut performance at West Valley Playhouse. A native of California, Paul moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18 to study at Loyola Marymount University where he graduated with a degree in Media Studies. It was while at Loyola Marymount that he began to study acting. Paul most recently appeared in the made for television movie, Visions and stage credits include How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, The Homecoming and Dracula Tyrannus.

Tom Hyer (John Cristow) comes to Los Angeles from Pittsburgh, PA. He has almost 25 years of theatre experience. Tom appeared in last year’s Spider's Web. His performances have included productions of Elektra, All's Well that Ends Well, Rumors and Arsenic and Old Lace. Tom has also done regional commercials and national print ads.

Veronica Krestow (Midge Harvey) originally from Miami, Florida moved across the country in 1998 to pursue acting in the great city of Los Angeles. Her career started several years ago in a traveling troupe of dancers and singers, which performed all over South Florida and Israel. After doing several plays, local theater and commercials, she made her first film debut last year as the lead in the indie film, Difficult Places.

Holly Martin (Doris ) originally hails from Maryland where she graduated from SSU with a degree in Communications. While in college she worked on Sweeney Todd and The Fabulous Fable Factory and was prop manager for The Heidi Chronicles. Holly is thrilled to be working in the theatre again. Her work with WHCT and the West Valley Playhouse includes Proposals, The Haunting of Hill House, Spider’s Web, Room Service, The All Night Strut! and Murder Plot. She looks forward to many more productions with WHCT/West Valley Playhouse. “I thank my mother for all her support and miss her very much.” She also wishes to thank her Dad, Erika, Jack, Alex and Drew for all their love and support.

Amanda Poliakin (Veronica Craye) is an ex-ballet dancer from New York who studied at the Julliard drama department and with teacher, Elizabeth Kemp from The Actor's Studio. She then joined Slava Stepnov's Theatre Co. and appeared in several productions of plays by Chekov and Pirandello off-broadway, of which "The Seagull" earned excellent reviews in the Village Voice and local Russian papers. Up until her recent move to Los Angeles, she has continued to work off-broadway, appearing in such theaters as Primary Stages, Greenwich Village Center, Clara Aich Studio.

Joanne Zahorsky-Reeves (Gerda Cristow) is thrilled to be making her first appearance at the Woodland Hills Community Theatre. A transplant to Los Angeles from the East Coast, she recently debuted locally as Emily Webb in "Our Town". Other credits include the Agatha Christie favorites "Ten Little Indians" and "The Mousetrap" - where she met her husband: thank you, Robby, for all your support.

Nancy Seale Shirley (Lady Angkatell) loves working with Jon and a great cast and crew in her third appearance in a WHCT Agatha Christie play. Last seen as Miss Marple in Murder at the Vicarage, she played Bunny in A Murder is Announced for which she received a Valley Theatre League supporting actress nomination. Other favorite roles are Martha (Arsenic and Old Lace) and Aunt Queenie (Bell, Book, and Candle), St. Martin’s Drama Guild productions. Many of her plays have been published and produced locally.

Greg Ungar (Edward Angkatell) is his first production with The West Valley Playhouse. Some of Greg’s previous roles include Duke Vincentio, in Measure for Measure, Martin in Fool in Love, John in Oleanna, Chater, in Arcadia, Arvide in Guys and Dolls and Creon in Antigone. He wishes to thank all who make life better.

Diane LeMoine (Voice and Operator and Props) is happy to be working again with Jon on another Agatha Christie mystery, having appeared as Miss Treadwell in Black Coffee and as Mary in Murder at the Vicarage with Nancy Shirley and Frank Collins. Diane was most recently seen as Gillian in Bell, Book and Candle, working with Nancy Shirley and Eddie Applegate. Thanks to Ann for another great job on props!

	Eddie Applegate (Sir Henry Angkatell, K.C.B.) began his professional career on stage in Out Town at the famous Bucks County Playhouse, north of Philadelphia. Commercials in New York City soon followed as well as appearances in many TV shows of the mid and late 50's. Including the first video taped hour drama, an episode of Robert Montgomery Presents and Kraft Theater's classic "A Night to Remember". His stage role as Hugo in Bye, Bye, Birdie led to his being Patty Duke's boyfriend in that mid-sixties series. His TV roles ran from comedy, the Lucy Show to drama on Gunsmoke and cable TV on "Million Dollar Mysteries". Two years ago, he starred in a CBS Movie of the Week and appeared locally on stage in Our Town. He played Sidney Redlitch in the Drama Guilds production of "Bell, Book & Candle" while The Patty Duke Reunion Movie was being seen on TNT. Eddie will next work on a independent film entitled the "Exorcism". Eddie and his better half, Betty, live in Chatsworth.
	Amanda Bauman (Henrietta Angkatell) is originally from Kansas City, MO. She went to college at The University of Kansas, where she received two degrees in theatre and advertising. Deciding that acting was her true calling she moved to LA, and has been studying acting with Allen Feinstein for two and half years. This is her first production at the West Valley Playhouse, and she is very excited about it.
	Frank Collins (Inspector Colquhoun) is very happy to be the “Inspector” for the third year running in the West Valley Playhouse’s Agatha Christie, and just last January performed his one man show here for the second year running, so West Valley Playhouse feels like home. Frank was nominated for a Woody Award in Murder at the Vicarage and won entertainer of the year 2000 at Fairfax Follies. Thanks to Jon Berry and Holly Martin for all there help and work.
	Craig Elkin (Sergeant Penny) has studied acting, voice-overs and singing for several years now. Among his credits are playing the lead role in the play "Split" in 1996, and playing the announcer and Abe Lincoln in a Page-Net television commercial. He also appears regularly in local courtrooms on his day job as a lawyer. Craig would like to thank Jon Berry for giving him this opportunity to play Sergeant Penny, and also thank Ken Womble, his long-time acting teacher; Angela, his sweetheart, for being patient with his time; and Melanie, his daughter, who is always a source of inspiration.
	Paul Fanning (Gudgeon) is making his debut performance at West Valley Playhouse. A native of California, Paul moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18 to study at Loyola Marymount University where he graduated with a degree in Media Studies. It was while at Loyola Marymount that he began to study acting. Paul most recently appeared in the made for television movie, Visions and stage credits include How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, The Homecoming and Dracula Tyrannus.
	Tom Hyer (John Cristow) comes to Los Angeles from Pittsburgh, PA. He has almost 25 years of theatre experience. Tom appeared in last year’s Spider's Web. His performances have included productions of Elektra, All's Well that Ends Well, Rumors and Arsenic and Old Lace. Tom has also done regional commercials and national print ads.
	Veronica Krestow (Midge Harvey) originally from Miami, Florida moved across the country in 1998 to pursue acting in the great city of Los Angeles. Her career started several years ago in a traveling troupe of dancers and singers, which performed all over South Florida and Israel. After doing several plays, local theater and commercials, she made her first film debut last year as the lead in the indie film, Difficult Places.
	Holly Martin (Doris ) originally hails from Maryland where she graduated from SSU with a degree in Communications. While in college she worked on Sweeney Todd and The Fabulous Fable Factory and was prop manager for The Heidi Chronicles. Holly is thrilled to be working in the theatre again. Her work with WHCT and the West Valley Playhouse includes Proposals, The Haunting of Hill House, Spider’s Web, Room Service, The All Night Strut! and Murder Plot. She looks forward to many more productions with WHCT/West Valley Playhouse. “I thank my mother for all her support and miss her very much.” She also wishes to thank her Dad, Erika, Jack, Alex and Drew for all their love and support.
	Amanda Poliakin (Veronica Craye) is an ex-ballet dancer from New York who studied at the Julliard drama department and with teacher, Elizabeth Kemp from The Actor's Studio. She then joined Slava Stepnov's Theatre Co. and appeared in several productions of plays by Chekov and Pirandello off-broadway, of which "The Seagull" earned excellent reviews in the Village Voice and local Russian papers. Up until her recent move to Los Angeles, she has continued to work off-broadway, appearing in such theaters as Primary Stages, Greenwich Village Center, Clara Aich Studio.
	Joanne Zahorsky-Reeves (Gerda Cristow) is thrilled to be making her first appearance at the Woodland Hills Community Theatre. A transplant to Los Angeles from the East Coast, she recently debuted locally as Emily Webb in "Our Town". Other credits include the Agatha Christie favorites "Ten Little Indians" and "The Mousetrap" - where she met her husband: thank you, Robby, for all your support.
	Nancy Seale Shirley (Lady Angkatell) loves working with Jon and a great cast and crew in her third appearance in a WHCT Agatha Christie play. Last seen as Miss Marple in Murder at the Vicarage, she played Bunny in A Murder is Announced for which she received a Valley Theatre League supporting actress nomination. Other favorite roles are Martha (Arsenic and Old Lace) and Aunt Queenie (Bell, Book, and Candle), St. Martin’s Drama Guild productions. Many of her plays have been published and produced locally.
	Greg Ungar (Edward Angkatell) is his first production with The West Valley Playhouse. Some of Greg’s previous roles include Duke Vincentio, in Measure for Measure, Martin in Fool in Love, John in Oleanna, Chater, in Arcadia, Arvide in Guys and Dolls and Creon in Antigone. He wishes to thank all who make life better.
	Diane LeMoine (Voice and Operator and Props) is happy to be working again with Jon on another Agatha Christie mystery, having appeared as Miss Treadwell in Black Coffee and as Mary in Murder at the Vicarage with Nancy Shirley and Frank Collins. Diane was most recently seen as Gillian in Bell, Book and Candle, working with Nancy Shirley and Eddie Applegate. Thanks to Ann for another great job on props!