2025 SEASON SPONSORS

THE CAST

Debra
LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ

Nicky
JENNIFER BEVERIDGE

Molly 
HEATHER GRAHAM

Jay
CHRISTOPHER GUERTIN

Marty
TONY BENEDETTI

Danny
STEPHEN WALTERS

BEHIND THE SCENES

Director
JONATHAN ROSS

Stage Manager
MICHAEL P.M. CALABRESE

Costumes 
ED BASSETT

Props
MICHAEL P.M. CALABRESE

Set Crew

         
Lighting Design 
AL HATHWAY

Sound & Video Design
ED BASSETT

SPECIAL THANKS

​Cameo Photo Video
Black Hog Brewing
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PHOENIX STAGE COMPANY

Executive Producer - Ed Bassett
Production Manager - Lori Poulin
Facilities Manager - Tim Phillips
Volunteer Coordinator - 
Jeannie Martin
Playbill/Website -
​Sharon W. Houk
Photographer -
Paula Murphy Meehan
Videography - 
Jeffrey Barber Schlichter
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Ed Bassett
Agnes M.Dann 
​​Sharon W.Houk

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 
Lori Poulin (Chair)
Tim Phillips (Vice-Chair)
Al Hathway
Michael P.M.Calabrese
Laurie Phillips
Laura Sturges-Cortez

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 ANNUAL FUND DONORS!

Lesli Anderson
Frances Barth
Mrs. Susan C. Beatty
Regina & Joseph Cillizza
Daisy Decker
Mary L. Dooley
Sheila & Mike Elser
Eileen Russo & Michael Frenis
Christopher & Theresa Guertin
Karl & Jeanine Gallmeyer
Melanie Hilpert
James & Barbara Juhas
Betty Lamay
Paul Leduc
John Magnesi
Bonita A. Mazzaferro

And to all of those who chose to remain anonymous!

ABOUT THE SHOW

Take three delicious, malicious wives, add three miserable, unloving husbands—and chill. That's the recipe of Michele Lowe's tantalizing new comedy that had Broadway audiences cheering. 

The Smell of the Kill revolves around Nicky, Debra and Molly who have tolerated one another during once-a-month dinners for years. While their unseen spouses play golf in the dining room, the women exchange confidences for the first time revealing that all three marriages are on the brink of disaster and all three women are facing the challenges of their lives.

Nicky's husband has been indicted for embezzlement, Molly's husband is stalking her, and Debra's husband is leaving her for another woman. When the men mistakenly lock themselves in a basement meat locker the women are faced with a life-or-death decision—should they leave the men out in the cold—permanently—or let them thaw?

​One by one the women make their choices with more than a little help from one another. 

WHO'S WHO

JENNIFER BEVERIDGE (Nicky) is happy to be returning to the PSC stage. Past stage credits include (Katherine Plumber) NEWSIES at Curtain Call, (Emily Benoit) AND THEN THERE WERE NONE at White Rabbit Theater, (Melissa, Woman 2) “I LOVE YOU, YOUR PERFECT, NOW CHANGE” Center Stage Theater, and (Susan) TITLE OF A SHOW with Brookfield Theater Company. Thank you to my family and friends, but most importantly, my grandfather (my agent) who is watching the show, from above. I love you Papa!
TONY BENEDETTI (Marty) is excited to be back at Phoenix Stage Company! He was last seen here as Marvin in IF THE SHOE FITS. Most recently, he appeared in a staged reading of EBBIE SCROOGE at the Oxford Grange. Other recent roles include part of the ensemble in THE PRODUCERS, James Cagney in SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD, and Jason in SWEAT, all with Brookfield Theatre. He also appeared as Lendall/Pete in ALMOST MAINE with Orange Players and SERIAL KILLER OF ELSINORE, part of "Acting Up," Orange Players' annual one act festival. Thank you to all my friends and family for all of their support
HEATHER GRAHAM (Molly) returns to the PSC stage after recently appearing in SUITE SURRENDER, FARCE OF HABIT, and FARNDALE AVENUE CHRISTMAS CAROL. You might also remember Heather from past PSC productions; KILL ME DEADLY (Veronica Clairmont & Lady Mary), MURDER AT THE PROP TABLE (Lynn), MURDERED TO DEATH (Elizabeth), HARVEY (Nurse Kelly), or DRINKING HABITS (Sally). I am eternally grateful that Phoenix Stage Company exists. There is no other theater I feel more welcomed, comfortable, and free to express myself through this art. It’s a rare and beautiful place that I hope continues forever.
CHRISTOPHER GUERTIN (Jay returns to the PSC stage after appearing in FARCE OF HABIT and THE MEMORY BOX.  Chris appeared most recently at Landmark Community Theatre in BEAUTY IN THE BEAST (Lumiere), as well as in IT’S ONLY A PLAY (Frank Finger), ELF (Manager), LOVE, SEX AND THE IRS (Jon), and KINKY BOOTS (Ensemble). Chris also contributes to set design and building for LCT productions, and by day works in IT and is an aspiring voice-actor. I really like cats and croutons
LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ (Debra) most recently appeared in DECK THE HALLS, A Christmas Collection. Stage credits include POCKET SHAKESPEARE, IF THE SHOE FITS, KILL ME DEADLY, SHERWOOD; THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, FOOLS, JEKYLL & HYDE, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, FEMALE TRANSPORT, MOON OVER BUFFALO AND ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST Thank you to my friends and family for their support and encouragement. To the audience, I thank you for your support of live theater; you have oceans of gratitude from me. In addition, to my adoring husband, Carlos, I love you
STEPHEN WALTERS (Danny) returns to the stage after making his Phoenix Stage Company debut in DECK THE HALLS as Asher and Elf. Past stage experience includes RENT (Squeegee Man), BACK TO THE 80’S (Corey Palmer, Sr.) and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Dentist) all with QRMHS. Thank you to my family and friends who still believe that I can talk in front of people, and to my LARP family, I hope you enjoy seeing me not in character. Hope you enjoy!
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BEHIND THE SCENES

​JONATHAN ROSS (Director) has been involved in theater for over fifty years. In that time, he has performed in over two hundred productions at theaters throughout the state. Recent performances include Jonathan Brewster in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE at Goshen Players, Harry MacAfee IN BYE, BYE BIRDIE at Seven Angels, and Juror Number 9 in TWELVE ANGRY MEN at Landmark Community Theater. Directing credits at Phoenix Stage Co. include multiple one act festivals, I HATE HAMLET at the Naugatuck location and THE IRISH CURSE, the last event at Phoenix before the covid shutdown
MICHAEL P.M. CALABRESE (Stage Manager) is happy to be back behind the production table after a small break. Most recent production credits include BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Director), THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Director), and KINKY BOOTS (Director). Occasionally he can be seen on the stage as he was most recently seen as (Solicitor) DECK THE HALLS here at Phoenix Stage Company. Thank you to my husband Aric and to all those supporting local community theaters