Follow Us:

CONTENT ADVISORY: This production includes gunshot sounds and scenes that may disturb some audience members.

Author's Note

William Gillette was a star of the American stage during the early part of the 20th century. Gillette wrote the play Sherlock Holmes in collaboration with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and he starred in it with enormous success in both New York and London for a total of 1,300 performances spread out over thirty years.

He became associated with Holmes in the public's imagination; and with his royalties from this and other plays, he built a replica of a medieval castle on the Connecticut River, filled with gadgets representing the latest technology. It was here that entertained the casts of his latest New York hits, and he remained beloved to his fans until his death in his eighties. Gillette Castle is open to the public to this day.

— Ken Ludwig

Director’s Note

Anyone who knows me, knows I simply can’t resist a murder mystery. No matter what era. No matter which author. Film. TV. Stage. Book. I can’t get enough. So when this little gem popped up on my radar, I was beyond thrilled. I mean, we’re talking about Sherlock Holmes here, in this lovely little tangential kind of way. With real-life actor William Gillette reimagined straight from the Broadway stage circa 1936. Honestly, it’s like the best gift ever for a murder mystery theatre nerd like me. Best of all, at its heart, it’s a farce. And honestly, we could all use a little levity these days. So in the truest form of live theatre, I am so proud to share this one with you. Escape from reality. Enjoy figuring out “who dun it,” have a few laughs and walk out of this unassuming little community theatre with a lighter heart.

A few special thanks — I am beyond grateful for this super talented cast and crew. They make this adventure an absolute joy. To Peter Zimmerman, for igniting my love for the theatre in the first place and most of all, to my husband for his neverending love and support.

One last request — don't spoil the ending for those who haven't seen the show yet, but do tell everyone to come see “who dun it” for themselves!

“Ken Ludwig's The Game's Afoot” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Special Thank You to:

Jacob Frye, Cheryl Faulkner, Brian Dowling, Russ Kirby,

Sue Mueller with Suz Cookie Jar Rescue, the StageDoor Board of Directors, and the many volunteers who make magic happen on our stage.

Scene List

ACT I

SCENE I: The Palace Theatre, New York City, early December 1936
SCENE II: The drawing room of William Gillette's Connecticut mansion, Christmas Eve 1936
SCENE III: The same room, an hour later

15-MINUTE INTERMISSION

ACT II

SCENE I: Gillette’s drawing room, immediately where we left it in Act I
SCENE II: Five minutes later

Cast

Production Team

Meet the Cast

Ken Zinn

William Gillette/Sherlock Holmes

Ken is excited to be back at StageDoor Theatre, where he was seen in The Cottage (Clarke) and Clue (Colonel Mustard). Local appearances include A Tuna Christmas, Fools, Get Smart, Black Comedy, Around the World in 80 Days, and All in the Timing at Foothills Theater Company, and 212 Broadway at Evergreen Players. Much love to Dana, Jessica, and Ben.

Laurie Atkinson

Martha Gillette

Laurie Atkinson is having a blast making her StageDoor Theatre debut as Martha in this production. After performing in musical theatre in Evergreen for nearly 40 years, she is delighted to be joining the company and this wonderful cast here in Conifer. Her most recent shows include Annie Get Your Gun and The Wizard of Oz with Ovation West Theatre Company. Many thanks to Jill for the chance to jump into the fray of this murder mystery and all its ensuing hilarity.

Brian Dowling

Felix Geisel, Moriarty

Besides a cameo in StageDoor's production of The Cottage, Brian was last seen on this stage as Picasso in Picasso at the Lapine Agile. His other StageDoor credits include Clue, Noises Off and Murder on the Orient Express. This past fall, he was in the critically acclaimed The Princess and the Goblins with Third Side Theatre. Brian is a published playwright and a member of The Sherlock Holmes Society of London.

Jill Dalton

Madge Geisel, Marian

Jill is thrilled (and terrified) to return to the stage after a 23-year hiatus. Recent roles include embarrassing friends and family by lip-syncing and dancing in grocery store aisles and overcommitting to bits that only she finds funny. Before playing “Mom to Spencer and Sawyer,” Jill performed in numerous productions, including Moon Over Buffalo, Come Blow Your Horn, and Scotland Road. Shout out to Jeff, for his love, support, and for putting up with her for 26 years.

Rene Meyer

Simon Bright, Count Zerlinsky

Rene is excited to make his onstage debut here in Colorado. He recently graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor’s degree in Film & Screen Studies. He thanks his parents for their support and advice.

Brianna Angle

Aggie Wheeler, Alice

Bri is thrilled to be making her debut at StageDoor Theatre! She is a Colorado native, and graduated with her BFA from Colorado Mesa University in 2023. Some of her favorite credits include Sister James in Doubt: A Parable (Commonweal Theatre Company), Wilber in Charlotte’s Web (Front Range Theatre Company), Anne de Bourgh in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Commonweal Theatre Company), and Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Robinson Theatre, CMU). Bri is also a theatre instructor, preschool teacher, and murder mystery actor. She thanks you for coming and hopes you enjoy the show!

Gretchen Samuels

Inspector Gohring

Gretchen is excited and grateful to be performing at StageDoor for the second time. A UCLA graduate, she has acted onstage and on-camera in Colorado and California. Her favorite roles include Mrs. Peacock in Clue, Florence in The Odd Couple (Female version), and Muriel in Plaza Suite. Many thanks to this amazing cast and crew for their talent, support and enthusiasm!

Staci York

Daria Chase

Staci is elated (and ever-so grateful) to be part of this production! An actor, singer, writer, director, and educator, Staci’s previous roles include Dinner with Friends (Karen), Talking With (Mary Titfer), The Cottage (Marjorie), The Legacy of Baker Street (Felicity Watson-originated), Something's Afoot (Lady Manley-Prowe), Clue (Miss Scarlet), Into the Woods (The Baker's Wife), Little Women (Aunt March), Secret Garden (Martha), and Matilda (Trunchbull). This performance is dedicated to Aeden, her husband and blue crayon.

Jill Manser

Director

Jill has been directing and producing productions with StageDoor for over 14 years. Directing highlights include Something’s Afoot, Clue, Moonlight & Magnolias, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Lucky Stiff, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and The Cottage. Many thanks to this amazing cast and crew for bringing The Game’s Afoot to our stage. Special thanks to my forever HB.

Savannah Poor

Stage Manager

Savannah is a recent transplant from Texas and has been loving the fact that there are actually trees in Colorado! She has been active in the Colorado theatre community the past few years and appeared in The Wizard of Oz and Annie Get Your Gun (Ovation West), The Polar Express Train Ride (Colorado Railroad Museum), Monopoly Lifesized Travel Edition (DCPA Off-Center), and was a roaming character at Casa Bonita. Now, she returns to stage managing and has been loving this show and cast. Enjoy the show!

Dean Arniotes, Biz Schaugaard

Set Designer

Tom Junker

Lighting Designer

An engineer by trade, Tom also completed a BFA in Technical Theatre in his early years at WVU, and worked professionally in southwestern Pennsylvania for several years. After moving to Colorado, Tom found a home as lighting designer for Conifer’s StageDoor Theatre and recently completed a lighting infrastructure upgrade. StageDoor light designs include Almost Maine, Murder for Two and The 39 Steps, Rocky Horror Show, as well as Kentucky Cycle at the Vintage Theatre, and Enchanted April and Nevermore for the Evergreen Players. Tom is excited to design lights for our community stages including The Game’s Afoot for StageDoor with such a great cast of players, designers and director!

Ken Ludwig

Author

Ken Ludwig may well be the most performed playwright of his generation. He has had six productions on Broadway and eight in London’s West End. His 34 plays and musicals are staged throughout the United States and around the world every night of the year. They have been produced in over 20 languages in more than 30 countries, and many have become standards of the American repertoire. His first play, Lend Me a Tenor, was produced on Broadway and in London by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century” by The Washington Post. Crazy For You was on Broadway for five years, on the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. It has been revived twice in the West End and is currently touring Japan. Since its European premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2022, Ludwig’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express has had hundreds of international productions. In addition, he has won the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theatre, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Charles MacArthur Award, and the Edgar Award for Best Mystery of the Year. He was also nominated for an Emmy Award for writing the Kennedy Center Honors. His other plays include Moon Over Buffalo; Leading Ladies; Baskerville; Sherwood; Twentieth Century; Dear Jack, Dear Louise; A Fox on the Fairway; A Comedy of Tenors; The Game’s Afoot; Shakespeare in Hollywood; and Moriarty. They have starred, among others, Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Tony Shaloub, Joan Collins, and Kristin Bell. For more information, see his website at www.kenludwig.com

Biz Schaugaard, Dean Arniotes, Cat Carris

Set Construction

Cat Carris, Biz Schaugaard

Scenic Artists

Elizabeth Ingalls

Production Manager

Jennifer Middleton

Costume Designer

Robin Booth

Prop Master

Tom Junker

Lighting Designer

Jon Weeks

Light Board Operator

Logan Rafdal

Sound Design

Liv Harvey-Clark

Sound Design & Board Operator

Casper Harvey-Clark

Sound Board Operator

Brian Dowling

Fight Choreographer

Amelia Morse

Intimacy Coordinator

Mourin Malcolm

Stage Crew

Tracy Doty

Company Photographer

Star Walters

Front of House Manager

Maryn Joyce, Carly Wells, Cat Carris

Marketing

Kai Booth

Specialty Props

Painted vintage remote control and wall hanging

Photos

Broadway News

	Theater Kids Who We’d Love to See on Stage Again
	Photos: Daniel Radcliffe & Company Get Ready for EVERY BRILLIANT THING
	What Upcoming Broadway Musical Are You Most Excited For?
	Meet the Cast of EVERY BRILLIANT THING, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
	Video: Thomas Sadoski Is Spending Twelve Hours With Tracy Letts
	Josh Groban Confirms Wrap on Forthcoming New Album
	Photos: John Legend Previews IMITATION OF LIFE, Sara Bareilles Sings THE INTERESTINGS in Industry Sneak Peek
	Listen: Julie Benko Releases New Orleans-Inspired Album EUPHONIC GUMBO
	Ana Navarro Sets One-Night-Only Appearance in BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB
	Liz Callaway to Release THE WIZARD AND I Album