HDA presents "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"

The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the first production of the year from the Hopkins Drama Association (HDA) opens Thursday night in Lovell Hall at 7pm. Students performed a preview at assembly on Monday, which you can watch in the attached video. Don't miss this comedic murder mystery brought to us by our talented students and director Mike Calderone!


The Hopkins Drama Association 2013 presents:

The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
By John Bishop
Directed & Produced by Michael Calderone
Costumes by Hope Hartup
Sound Design by Rory Dale

The Cast
Elsa Von Grossenknueten (The Cash)...Anna Ayres-Brown
Sgt. Michael Kelly (The Cop)...Eamonn Smith
Helsa Wenzel (The Maid)...Cami Jetta
Patrick O’Reilly (The Tenor)...Ross Pforzheimer
Ken De La Maize (The Director)...Nathaniel Peters
Nikki Crandall (The Girl)...Lucy Berman
Eddie McCuen (The Comic)...Glenn Blair
Marjorie Baverstock (The Producer)...Eva Mullineaux
Roz Hopewell (The Music)...Raffi Donatich
Bernice Roth (The Words)...Karma Masselli

The Time & Setting
Winter: 1940.  The play takes place in a mansion in Chappaqua, New York, specifically, the library. The mansion is owned by Elsa Von Grossenknueten, a backer of many famous Broadway musicals.  

The Crew
Stage Manager...Sarah Wang
Asst. Stage Manager...Annika Eberle
Light Board Operator...Greyson Twombly
Sound Board Operator...Allison Weiss
Crew...Lisanne de Groot, Gabe Goodspeed, Marcie Gallagher
Portrait Painter...Zenon Holowaty
Props...Anna Walewski

There will be one fifteen minute intermission

The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 is produced with permission from the Dramatists Play Service

Character Biographies

Helsa Wenzel was born in Berlin in 1918, to parents who struggled to make a living in an economy destroyed by the First World War. Throughout her young life, inspired by her brother Dieter's talent in the theater, she occasionally dabbled in short, one-act plays. She currently lives the simple life of a maid who may or may not be romantically involved with her employer.

Elsa Von Grossenknueten is a beacon of artistic integrity. She wants to thank her team from the bottom of her heart, and hopes they can all come play again sometime very soon! Much love to Wilhelm, and of course, darling Bebe. Follow her on Twitter at @ElsaGrossxoxo

Sgt. Michael Kelly was last seen upholding the law in Gravel Gulch after living the life of a small town editor in Grover’s Corner.  He is currently undercover and unavailable for comment.

Patrick O'Reilly is happier than a wee lad with a tum-full-o’whiskey to be performing on this stage tonight. He has had some shenanigans with HDA in the past playing multiple characters in a year.  He hopes you have a wonderful time here tonight, and zat you make it out alive.

Nicole Crandall is a singer/dancer (dancer mostly). She did in fact study dance. And singing. Somewhere. She was successful in her auditions for Off-Broadway productions, landing roles in Urinetown (as Officer Barrel) and Almost, Maine (as Hope and Gail).

Eddie McCuen is an odd banana. Whether it is his insistent reminder that he is a 'comic' or his ability to time a punch line, Eddie definitely emanates the characteristics of a comedian. Overall, Eddie has the ability to make connections and only tries to add his own sense of humor along the way.

Ken de la Maize wants everyone to know that he is a Hollywood movie director, but he really loves the theatre so he's returned to a less lucrative job simply because he loves it more. He's directed a number of pictures as well as a plethora of extremely successful dramatic performances including Richard III, Urinetown, and The Tempest.

Roz Hopewell is a 24 time Tony nominee. Emphasis on the nominee. She is a seasoned veteran both on stage and off. From the time she attended Beth Israel Camp for the Performing Arts and starred in Fiddler on the Roof as Golda, she knew she was destined for superstardom. She has composed highly renowned Broadway hits such as: Matzoh! The Musical, Don't You Gefilte my Fish! and Wicked. She doesn't want to thank anyone in this cast. Except for Bernice.  This one’s for you, Bernie baby! Kisses!  

Bernice Roth is the most important fixture in many successful Broadway endeavors. Her critics have stated that she can bring "new and innovative ideas" to every piece of theater she has even breathed near. She's thrilled, as always, to be back with her dear creative team, as well as some exciting fresh faces. This one's for you Roz.

Marjorie Baverstock is a producer in one of the most successful creative teams to grace Broadway. But before she began producing shows, she used to be in them.  She started her acting career at the age of 9 in quiet Ridgefield, CT, where she was in 16 Shakespeare plays.  She then advanced in her career, working for the prestigious Hopkins Drama Association in The Tempest. She thinks it is divoon that you’ve come tonight!

Special Thanks
Hope Hartup, Long Wharf Theatre for stage props; The Calderone Girls; The Mighty Men of Maintenance; Those who loaned or donated props (there were so many!); The Theatre Workshop Class who helped build, paint and beautify the set before you; And anyone else we may have overlooked.

Next at HDA
Winter One Acts December 12th, 13th, & 14th