MURDER AT THE PROP TABLE by Ed Bassett

2022 SEASON SPONSORS

THE CAST

Jane
LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ

Alexander Puddington
JONATHAN ROSS

Lynn Puddington
LIZ JAFFIN

Herbert
TIM PHILLIPS

Hal, The Gardener
TIMOTHY CLEARY

Stage Manager (the character)
TONY BENEDETTI

SPECIAL THANKS

Sierra Ridge Media Arts
Arabesque Costume Sales & Rentals

BEHIND THE SCENES

Director
TIM PHILLIPS

Stage Manager
LORI POULIN

Deck Captain
TONY BENEDETTI

Costumes
ED BASSETT & LORI POULIN

Props
ED BASSETT & LORI POULIN

Set Design
ED BASSETT

Set Construction
ED BASSETT, TIM PHILLIPS & JONATHAN ROSS

Lighting Design
AL HATHWAY

Sound Design
ED BASSETT

Booth Pirates
KC ROSS & LORI POULIN

Executive Producer - Ed Bassett
Production Manager - Lori Poulin
Facilities Manager - Tim Phillips
Photographer - Paula Murphy
Playbill/Website -
Sharon W. Houk
Volunteer Coordinator -
Laurie Phillips

MURDER AT THE PROP TABLE is produced by special arrangement
THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

WHO'S WHO

TONY BENEDETTI (Stage Manager – in the show) is excited to be back at Phoenix Stage Company. He was last seen here as Cardinal Bluejay in DRINKING HABITS 2. Other PSC credits include Hindu Harry in THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN and Slovitch in FOOLS. Tony recently appeared as The Mute in THE FANTASTICKS and as Carr Gomm in THE ELEPHANT MAN, both at Town Players Of Newtown. Before the shutdown, Tony appeared in a few virtual performances such as THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH, and MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, both with Brookfield Theatre For The Arts. Tony is glad to have live theater back and thanks his friends and family for their support

TIM PHILLIPS (Herbert) - Tim is happy to return to the stage after directing last year's EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY TOLD (And Then Some). He also appeared in last year's KILL ME DEADLY. Tim is thrilled to share the stage with Jonathan, Liz, Laura, Tim and Tony and thrilled to be directed by and appear in a show written by Ed Bassett. Tim has appeared in many shows at Phoenix and other local community theatres. As always, special thanks to Laurie for 35 years of marriage and laughs, thanks to Dash for being out on rehearsal nights and most of all, thanks to YOU, dear theatre friends, for coming to see this show and supporting the arts!! You guys are the best!!

TIMOTHY CLEARY (Hal, The Gardener) returns to the Phoenix Stage after having appeared in JELLOFISH, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE; THE LIVE RADIO PLAY, ALMOST MAINE, HARVEY and others. Other stage credits include: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET with Seven Angels, LAST OF THE RED-HOT LOVERS with Thomaston Opera House, CARTUNES and 4 WDDINGS AND AN ELVIS with Clockwork Rep Theatre. Third time’s a charm. Thanks to Ed, Lori and this wonderful cast. All my love to my best fan, Pam.

JONATHAN ROSS (Alexander Puddington) was part of the first Phoenix Stage Co. production, playing Decker in BLEACHER BUMS. Other roles with Phoenix include the Sheriff of Nottingham in SHERWOOD, Owen Musser in THE FOREIGNER, Sherlock Holmes in BASKERVILLE, Gene Czerwicki in COPS, Judge Turpin in SWEENEY TODD, and a flamboyant real estate agent, an overbearing father at breakfast, an architect with his own agenda, a seven year old trying to “hold it”, a handyman under the table with a client, a man having an affair caught by his lover’s son, and an elderly man making plans for his own funeral in THE DINING ROOM.

LIZ JAFFIN (Lynn Puddington) makes her Phoenix Stage Company debut! Liz has appeared with CTAW (Community Theatre at Woodbury) in their productions of CALENDAR GIRLS as Annie and RUMORS as Cookie. Thank you to my family for being supportive of my many absences. Thank you to the cast and crew for your patience with this relative newbie, and many thanks to Ed for trusting me with a part in your play.

LAURA STURGES-CORTEZ (Jane) most recently appeared in KILL ME, DEADLY.
Stage credits include; 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 with Phoenix Stage Company after a long absence from theater. A special thank you to my Aunt Mary and Uncle Warren for their continues support, and to my family and friends for their love.

BEHIND THE SCENES

ED BASSETT (Director) is a founding member of the Phoenix Stage Company. Performance credits include FIREFLIES, FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, THE FOREIGNER, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD, and a few others with PSC. Directing and Costume Design credits; RUMORS (Director) with CTAW, THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN (Director) SHERWOOD (Director), CLIFFHANGER (Director), BASKERVILLE (Director), REBEL YELLS (Director) and THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE (Costume Design) for PSC. Ed is the Owner/Operator of ARABESQUE CSOTUME SALES & RENTALS, now located in Oakville. Welcome to the Phoenix Family, Liz! Thank you to our wonderful Phoenix clan and to you, our audience for your amazing support. Special thanks to this wonderful cast of friends and to Lori for keeping me calm-ish.

LORI POULIN (Stage Manager) is the Phoenix Stage Company Production Manager. PSC credits include Stage Managing FOR BASKERVILLE, ANY BODY HOME?, EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE and more. Director of FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, MOON OVER BUFFALO, DEATH BY FATAL MURDER, FARCE OF NATURE, JACOB MARLEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL and appearing on stage in THE CAYUGA CANAL GIRLS, DEATH & TAXES, KILL ME DEADLY, DARK AND STORMY NIGHT and LADY PARTS. Other credits include Costume Designer for THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, GODSPELL and ELF, THE MUSICAL at Landmark Community Theatre. Many thanks to this talented cast for making my job so easy. Welcome to Phoenix Stage, Liz! As always, thank you to JP & Gma for supporting me and our Phoenix Family. To you, our audience, thank you for your continued patronage through these unprecedented times.