By Maxwell Anderson, from William March’s novel
October 13,14,15, 20,21 2006
Show Times 8:00 PM
October 22, 2006
2:00 PM Matinee
Avon Theater – 525 N. 2nd Breese, Illinois 62230
Presented through special arrangements with Dramatists Play Service
Director Lynne Huelsmann
The scene is a small Southern town where Colonel and Christine Penmark live with their daughter, Rhoda. Little Rhoda Penmark is the evil queen of the story. On the surface she is sweet, charming, full of old-fashioned graces, loved by her parents, admired by all her elders. But Rhoda’s mother has an uneasy feeling about her. When one of Rhoda’s schoolmates is mysteriously drowned at a picnic, Mrs. Penmark is alarmed. For the boy who was drowned was the one who had won the penmanship medal that Rhoda felt she deserved.
| Character | Description | Actor |
| Rhoda Penmark | A sweet and naïve acting young lady, but beneath the surface, she is very manipulating and evil. | Caitlyn Wade, O'Fallon IL |
| Christine Penmark
|
A well bred young woman who is in denial of her daughter’s evilness. | Jennifer Gillespie, Highland IL |
| Monica Breedlove
|
She is a widow of 45 or so, intelligent, talkative and perhaps over-friendly, who also has an incestuous affection for her brother Emery. | Lisa Strubhart Breese IL |
| Miss Fern
|
The head mistress of the most aristocratic school in the state. She has achieved a certain “savior fair” even though she is timid and an undistinguished old maid. | Kitty Gagen, Lebanon IL |
| Mrs. Daigle
|
A home-grown girl who married her high school sweetheart and never ventured out of her home town. | Cindy Kues, Aviston IL |
| Col Kenneth Penmark
|
An Army officer of about 35 or so and is very mindful of his family to the point of blindness. | * John Doughtery, Breese IL |
| Emory Wages
|
A few years younger than his sister Monica Breedlove. He is friendly but is a stark contract to his sister. | Robert (Doc) Savage, Swansea IL |
| Leroy
|
The janitor, appears to be a bit slow however, he is smarter than he lets on. He knows all about Rhoda’s secrets. | * Thom Murray. O'Fallon IL |
| Reginald Tasker
|
A detective story writer who has made himself a minorexpert in the history of crime. | Mike Huelsmann, Breese IL |
| Mr. Daigle | A home-grown boy married to his high school sweetheart. He is very quiet and unassuming; he is used to being told what to do my his wife. | Charlie Huelsmann, Germantown IL |
| Messenger | A young Western Union delivery boy | Brianna Wahl, Breese, IL |
| Richard Bravo | Christine’s father. He is about 55 or so, handsome but also stern and weary. He is a former radio show host and murder mystery writer. | Bill Gagen, Lebanon, IL |
* denotes Clinton County Showcase debut.
Crew
| Directors | Lynne Huelsmann & Lori Wahl |
| Lights and Sound | Braden Henze |
| Set design and construction | Mike Huelsmann |
| Costume Coordinator | Lynne Huelsmann |
| Costumes | Cast |
