FARMINGTON —  It would seem 10 little murders are coming to the University of Maine at Farmington’s Alumni Theater as Sandy River Players presents Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” May 13 through 17 — and no amount of spring sunshine will brighten this dark tale of retribution.

It is most challenging to discuss the cast of a murder mystery since it becomes quite easy to reveal secrets and hidden truths unintentionally. But this cast of community and university members deserves attention nonetheless. Kyle Morrison and Elizabeth Heineman play Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, the surrogate hosts for 10 individuals invited to stay on a remote island. Among the visitors are Wargrave (Paul Stancioff) , Emily (Cyndy Stancioff) , Armstrong (Michael Fraley) , Vera (Maria Skilling), Lombard (Christopher Highes), and Marston (Mark Lemos). Of particular note is the performance of Allan Smith as MacKenzie, since Smith participated in the original SRP production of And Then There Were None in the late 1960s.

Director Fred Liebfried has assembled an exceptional technical crew to bring this sinister island setting to life. Matt Black, costume designer, and Scott Leland, set construction, transport the audience back to the 1930s visually, while Steve Pelletier’s sound design adds the necessary ambiance. Making sure all of the details happen behind the scenes are stage manager Karen West, and assistants Jared Boghosian and Ben Gray.

Of this production, Liebfried says, “This play is more than a whodunit, more than a mystery. It is a thriller, with an antagonist that is evil: pure and simple. It is a wonderful gift by Agatha Christie. The characters are great and the plot flows faster and faster, and the tension becomes more taught as they are murdered, one by one, until there were none.”

This season’s production of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” marks over 40 years of Sandy River Players bringing theatrical entertainment to western Maine audiences. In fact, in the late 1960s, the same show was performed featuring an early incarnation of SRP’s actors and directors.

Performances are  at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets are available at Mickey’s Hallmark or call 779-7084. Adults, $12, students/senior citizens, $10, and UMF Students with ID, $8. Special discount on May 13. For more information, contact Sandy River Players by visiting www.sandyriverplayers.org.

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