BC Productions proudly announces the premiere of Accidentally Wealthy, a mysterious comedy of errors and of murder. With script by local playwright Earl Lewin, Accidentally Wealthy chronicles the story of Reggie and Grace Worthing, recent newlyweds embarking on their new life together, a new life marred by tragic pasts. Both widowed under mysterious circumstances, Reggie and Grace cling to one another in their world of ever-growing wealth.
Performances of Accidentally Wealthy will be held at Church Hill Theatre beginning on Thursday, December 3rd and running through Sunday, December 13th.
Lewin, a published playwright, having had two one act plays published by Baker’s Plays, brings his extensive experience to directing his own script. His recent work includes book and lyrics for a musical version of She Stoops to Conquer, book and lyrics for an original musicalCelluloid(performed Off-Off Broadway in 2010), and the murder-musical The Burgundy Wine Mob, (performed Off-Off Broadway in 2012). Lewin’s short script titled Not Responsible was selected and performed Off-Broadway in the Short Play Lab’s MidTown Festival in 2013. Most recent to Church Hill Theatre was Lewin’s 2014 romantic comedy Visiting Sam. which he both wrote and directed. Church Hill Theatre has a long collaborative history with Lewin having debuted many of his production on its stage.
For these ultra rich social animals, life is just one party after another: All laughs and fun. Reggie (played by Ed Langrell) and Grace (portrayed by Avra Sullivan) have more money than any couple needs, but there are secrets. Reggie lost two wives to accidents. His bank account has grown with each loss. His new bride, Grace, lost her husband to suicide, afterwards, her bank account also saw a healthy increase. Accidents? Suicide? Or was it murder? Returning from a month-long honeymoon abroad it appears that someone’s life is in danger. Is it Reggie’s or is it Grace’s? Could one of these seemingly carefree people be a murderer? Or, are they truly Accidentally Wealthy?
Lewin populates this murder mystery with a seasoned local cast including Langrell as Reggie. He has performed and directed over most of the upper Eastern Shore. He is the current President of the Tred Avon Players and Producing Artistic Director of the Hugh Gregory Gallagher Theatre. Playing Reggie’s third and loveliest wife is Sulivan. A veteran of Eastern Shore theatres and co-founder of Shore Shakespeare, Sulivan has performed in several BC Productions both on the Shore and in New York City, most recently in The Burgundy Wine Mob. Some of her past credits include Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet (producer), The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello. Dangerous Liaisons. Past CHT credits include Ravenscroft, The Glass Menagerie, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Proof, and Lion in Winter.
Portraying successful businessman Barry Adkins is Steve Hazzard. He has been Reggie’s best friend since their days at Yale. Hazzard first appeared at CHT in How The Other Half Loves. He has acted in many roles in Michigan theater productions and emceed community events at Michigan’s Tecumseh Civic Theatre. Steve has been a broadcast DJ and a commercial spokesman. Barry’s wife Betty is played by Marcia Gilliam. Betty is an upstanding socialite, but one who just does not seem to fit in with her husband’s friends. Gilliam most recently directed the music and performed inLives Interrupted,with the Tred Avon Players. She was the narrator in CHT’s production of Blood Brothers, directedCabaret, and has directed and performed in many local productions.
Silvia Wainwright is certainly not one of Betty’s biggest fans, though she is quite fond of Reggie (and his bank account). Jane Copple portrays this sharp-tongued and bawdy social climber who has covered all of her bases by also befriending Grace’s mother. Copple has been preforming community theatre for over 30 years working with CHT, Chesapeake College, Tred Avon Players and many companies from the Western Shore. Audiences will recognize Copple from her performances in CHT’s Spitfire Grill, Rumors, South Pacific, Blithe Spirit, Burgundy Wine Mob, Visiting Sam, Noises Off, and the Heart and Music.
Grace’s mother Edith Moore, portrayed by Peggy Chiras, is not at all comfortable with her twice-widowed son-in-law. In her hunger to climb the social ladder with her daughter, can Grace reconcile Reggie’s past with her daughter’s new future? This role marks Chiras’ on-stage debut, having served as assistant to the director in CHT’s production of Good People and having participated in the dramatic reading of Love, Loss & What I Wore.
Chris Rogers plays Stanford Harrington, yet another Yale friend of Reggie, Barry, and Betty, and a close friend of Silvia. Rogers, with an extensive list of roles to his credit, is co-founder of Shore Shakespeare Company (in partnership with Sullivan). He has appeared in three previous productions written by Earl Lewin, including Murder at The Bongo-Bongo Club, The Burgundy Wine Mob, and Visiting Sam.
Assisting writer and director Lewin with the production is an equally experienced and accomplished crew: Jan Eliassen (Stage Manager and Assistant Director); Brian Draper (Set Design); Barbi Bedell (Costumes); Doug Kaufmann (Lighting Design/Operation); and William Hazzard (Sound and Lighting Tech.).
Please join Reggie and Grace and their deceptive group of friends and hangers-on who assemble at Reggie’s estate to welcome the newlyweds home from their honeymoon only to find murder and mayhem. Make reservations to see Accidentally Wealthy at Church Hill Theatre and test your sleuthing mettle. The show opens on Thursday December 3, 2015 and runs thru December 13 with performances at 8pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and a 2pm matinee on Sundays. Tickets are $15.00 Call the CHT office at 410.556.6003 to make reservations.
Louis Howeth Sr, says
This performance is one that has a cast of some very capable people. It appears that this should be a very enjoyable evening. I hope that the
folks from Chestertown, will drive over to Church Hill to be supportive of this show.