The curtain goes up again this weekend at the Fox Theater on a fascinating murder mystery play by Agatha Christie — And Then There Were None.

Agatha Christie stories have well-mannered, articulate characters and settings that are dark, mysterious and deadly. In this tale, strangers are lured to an isolated island off the coast of England by a mysterious host who was very gracious at first, but after they arrive, he remotely accuses them of murders in their past that went unpunished. 

The story comes alive on the stage.

The puzzled guests compare notes and realize that none of them has met their host. Some came because they were given to believe they were hired to work there. Some thought they were meeting up with old friends.

As a sense of foreboding settles in, the guests try to reason together to understand what’s going on and deal with their uneasiness. They give it a valiant go, but their anxiety increases, growing to paranoia and borderline hysteria as, one-by-one, someone gets murdered. 

Those who remain, and the audience, are highly motivated to find out who done it.

The play is set in the 1940s. Everyone is dressed their best, with suits and ties prevailing. The sets, lights and sound are superb. The acting was as polished and proper as the British characters onstage at dress rehearsal three nights before the opening performance.

Shelly Deardoff and Suzi Knolles are directing the play. Deardoff said after the actors were selected, she gave them scripts and told them “it’s up to you how to portray your character.” The actors happily took to the tasks. Rehearsals began Aug. 10. Deardoff said the cast made the characters come alive, infusing each with a distinct personality.

The play is a thriller and also an Agatha Christie intellectual exercise, Knolles said. The dialogue clips right along, revealing more about each character, and the situation, as the story unfolds. Some of the clues to the murders are built into the events that take place.

The play is in three acts, adding variety to the presentation, and allowing the audience time to gather their thoughts during the breaks. Knolles and Deardoff said some people might want to see it twice.

The costumes are by Sue McKain. Jason Wycoff oversees the sound. Adam Sabatka designed the lights. Bruce White built the sets.

At the rehearsal, the acting and stage looked as good as a movie in the eyes of this reviewer. This play is heartily recommended.

The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. The show repeats at the same times the following weekend, Oct. 2-4.

Tickets are on sale from 12-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the theater. The cost is $23 in advance for adults, and $25 at the door. Student tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

 The production team:

• Directors – Shelley Deardoff & Suzi Knolles
• Stage manager – Lane Swedberg
• Costume design – Sue McKain
• Lighting – Adam Sabatka
• Sound – Jason Wycoff
• Set construction – Bruce White
• Set dressers – Bea Webster, Alisha & Todd Herndon
• Props – Starla Jess
• Spotlight – Todd Herndon

The cast

• Sir Lawrence Wargrave – Bruce White
• Vera Claythorn – Victoria Norgaard
• Philip Lombard – Adam Otte
• William Blore – Mark Cullinan
• Dr. Armstrong – Brian McLain
• Emily Brent – Kara Kreis
• Thomas Rogers – Benjamin Hill
• Gen. MacKenzie – Ted Pucylowski
• Anthony Marston – Sam Fornander
• Ethel Rogers – Amber Martinson
• Fred Narracott – Matthew Lunde

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