Witness for the Prosecution

Witness for the Prosecution

at PowPAC, Poway's Community Theatre


	by Agatha Christie

Starring

Susan Branch Julie Clemmons Amy Dell Raymond Evans	Maegan Gephart Geoffrey Graeme Guyren Howe John Martin	D. Kevin McGuinness Tami O'Connell Anne Schreiber Charisse Zeff

Director’s Notes

Witness for the Prosecution has always been my favorite Agatha Christie play. I saw it for the first time when I was 12, and it kept me riveted through to the final dramatic conclusion. At the time, I enjoyed the courtroom drama, full of bias and vindictiveness. Would an innocent man really be sent to hang? Now, I’ve discovered it is a deeper study of ourselves. It is a story about our perception: our perception of truth, of justice, of other’s motivations. What we believe colors our interpretation of the world around us. And our interpretation of the world around us often tells us what to believe. It’s a dance that Dame Christie has choreographed brilliantly.

Witness for the Prosecution is also about prejudice. Throughout the play, the characters strive toward their goals, firmly believing they have truth on their side. The prosecutor believes Leonard is guilty. The defense attorney believes he is innocent. The play shows how their own biases blind them to any conflicting information that might alter their perceptions. I tried to play on this theme by discarding the familiar (and expected) male-dominated cast. Though this play is set in the late 1940s – early 1950s, I wanted women to be more present throughout, showing that bias and blindness are universal. It also doesn’t hurt that it helps heighten the latent paternal misogyny that is present throughout the play. Sir Wilfred’s comments suggesting that Romaine will most likely break down when confronted with Leonard’s arrest seem even more laughable when juxtaposed with the arresting officers being female, as well.

I don’t believe that Agatha Christie necessarily intended for these themes to be any part of her play. I believe she wanted to create an exciting and surprising drama, one that the audience will remember and think about long after they have left the theatre. I hope for the same.

— Kira Blaskovich

Director

Cast

Susan Branch

Miss Myers

Julie Clemmons

Romaine Vole

Amy Dell

Janet MacKenzie

Raymond Evans

Leonard Vole

Maegan Gephart

Greta/Mrs. Clegg

Geoffrey Graeme

Sir Wilfred Robarts

Guyren Howe

Carter/Dr. Wyatt

John Martin

Mayhew

D. Kevin McGuinness

Judge Wainwright

Tami O'Connell

Clerk/Usher

Anne Schreiber

Inspector Hearne/Girl

Charisse Zeff

Police Detective/Warder

Creative Team

Kira Blaskovich

Director

Dorothy Courtney

Producer

Deanne Theodore

Stage Manager

Cheryl Tzach

Assistant Producer

Mark Zetler

Lighting Design

Marguerite Jackson Dill

Costumer

Steve Murdock

Sound Design

Meet the Company

Susan Branch

Miss Myers

Susan is excited to be returning to PowPAC after her role as Dot Haigler in the 2022/23 PowPAC production of The Savannah Sipping Society. Susan is retired from a career as an attorney and looks forward to playing one on stage. She previously appeared as Greta Ohlsson in the Coronado Playhouse production of another Agatha Christie-inspired play, Murder on the Orient Express. She thanks Kira Blaskovich for casting her in this role, and is thankful for the loving support of her husband, Bob.

Julie Clemmons

Romaine Vole

Julie is happy to return to PowPAC for her sixth production. She was seen last season in A Murder Is Announced. Julie made her stage debut at the Old Globe at the age of ten and has been in the arts her entire life as an actress, dancer, singer, director, teacher, etc.! She attended Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, and later ran her own afterschool theater program in Ramona. Favorite roles include Val in A Chorus Line, every Shakespearean role she ever played, and Joy Gresham in Shadowlands, here at PowPAC. Her top favorite role has been Mom to four remarkable children, now fabulous adults. She is currently majoring in Entrepreneurship at Miramar College. She thanks everyone at PowPAC for their love and support, and dedicates this performance to Matteo, our forever ray of sunshine!

Amy Dell

Janet MacKenzie

Amy is excited to be part of bringing this wonderful play to life. Other recent productions include Romeo and Juliet (Vanguard Theatre), Silent Sky and And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little (Lamplighters), On Her Shoulders (TuYo Theatre), Choice (The American History Theatre), and Clue Onstage (The Coronado Playhouse and 413 Rep). When not acting, Amy is an attorney and enjoys playwriting, improv and hiking with her husband and mutt.

Raymond Evans

Leonard Vole

Raymond first trod the boards in kindergarten and has since appeared in over 30 stage productions. Early roles were with the Missoula Children’s Theatre; he acted, did improv, and wrote throughout his academic career and naval service. Favorite roles include Mr. Mushnik in The Little Shop of Horrors, Tony Kirby in You Can’t Take it With You and Young Ebenezer in Scrooge: The Musical. He is nominated for an Aubrey award for his most recent role as Gavin Clancy in Rose and Walsh (Point Loma Playhouse).

Maegan Gephart

Greta/Mrs. Clegg

Maegan is thrilled to be returning to theatre and making her PowPAC debut! She was last seen as Gwendolen Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest at VCCT. Other onstage credits include Maude (A Pirate’s Life for Me!) and Ms. Willy (The Curious Savage). She’s a student at Los Angeles Acting Studio SD and is profoundly grateful for her coaches – Andrew and Irene. Maegan thanks her loving family, friends and Delilah (yes, her cat) for supporting her passion. Instagram: whatsshakinmaegan

Geoffrey Graeme

Sir Wilfred Robarts

Geoffrey is thrilled to be back on stage at PowPAC with such a talented ensemble and insightful director, having just finished Silkworms at Lamplighter’s Theatre. Also seen here in 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol, Murder on the Nile, Quartet and Christmas Belles. Recent film credits include, “The Ex-husband,” “My Ghost,” and “Flight to Brazil.” Studied at Circle and the Square as a kid, then at the Old Globe with the renowned David Grant Wright and now studies at LA Acting Studio SD with the incomparable Andrew Benne.

Guyren Howe

Carter/Dr. Wyatt

This is Guyren’s second appearance on our stage, having played Carl in last season’s production of Air Turbulence. He is an Australian who has lived in San Diego for 15 years, and is a software developer by day. His favorite role to date was Long John Silver in Treasure Island. Guyren has appeared in many other shows including Big, Little Mary Sunshine, Footloose and The Diary of Anne Frank.

John Martin

Mayhew

No stranger to the San Diego theater scene, John’s credits include Rutledge in 1776 and Cardinal Woolsey in A Man for All Seasons (Lamb’s Players), Harry Macafee in Bye, Bye Birdie (San Diego Musical Theater), Fred Graham in Kiss Me, Kate (Lamplighters Theater), Sir Edward Clarke in Gross Indecency and Gloria Swansong in Friends of Dorothy – which he co-wrote with Ruff Yeager – (Diversionary Theater), Parchester in Me and My Girl and The Bishop of Basingstoke in Jekyll & Hyde (Starlight Musical Theater) and The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, National Tour. John was an original cast member of “City Streets” at Sea World from 1986/89 and “The Dick Tracy Show” at Disneyland in 1990. This is John’s first production with PowPAC and he is honored to be performing with such a talented group of artists.

D. Kevin McGuinness

Judge Wainwright

Kevin, a Poway resident and retired U.S. Marine, is excited by his role in the Witness for the Prosecution cast. It is much fun, with a terrific play, director, cast and crew! Kevin previously appeared on PowPAC’s stage in Visiting Mr. Green, Air Turbulence, Transported and Murder on the Nile. He is very thankful for the support and assistance from his wife, and all the volunteers that work so hard to make PowPAC a great community theater.

Tami O'Connell

Clerk/Usher

Tami has been involved in theater either on stage, backstage, or in some other capacity in the North County area for over ten years. Her favorite roles include Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town, Randi Stein in Greetings, and Inita Goodwin in Tuna Does Vegas. She’s delighted to return to the PowPAC stage in this “keep ’em guessing” Agatha Christie play. She thinks the butler did it. Enjoy!

Anne Schreiber

Inspector Hearne/Girl

This is Anne’s debut at PowPAC. She is especially excited to share this experience with her castmates, Geoffrey Graeme and Maegan Gephart, with whom she has studied for the past four years at Los Angeles Acting Studio SD. Favorite roles include Helena Moray in the feature film “Anomaly” (2022) and Tanya Greene in the short film “Blood and Water” (2023). Anne is extremely grateful for her husband, Marcus, who has relentlessly encouraged her exploration of the arts and acting. In addition, she is humbled by the support of her father, daughter, son and brother. Anne is excited about the future and passionate about working in both theatre and film.

Charisse Zeff

Police Detective/Warder

Charisse is crazy excited to be making her debut at PowPAC. She started in theater last year, having appeared as Wanda in No “I” in Murder, Marlie in Mother Lode, Elly in Three Women, Bridget in Crust, Bertha in Tuna Does Vegas, Queen Elizabeth II in Sorry, Charlie and Alien Agent in Very Tasty. She’s in an improv workshop and enjoys pet sitting, aerobics, dancing, traveling, logic problems, and peppermint patties. She also creates original inspirations for people with developmental disabilities. She credits Holly Ritter’s Nuts & Bolts class for guiding her on her acting journey. Thank you for this opportunity!