For the next several days, the stage in the Lucy Hurlin Theatre has been transformed into the interior of an isolated island castle — the setting of the ConVal Theatre Arts production of And Then There Were None …
Based on Agatha Christie’s 1939 mystery novel by the same title, the play follows a group of ten guests who have been invited to the castle by a mysterious stranger. Though none of the guests know each other, nor their host, it becomes clear in the course of the evening dinner that what they all have in common is that they bear responsibility for the deaths of others. One by one, the guests meet their fate under bizarre and inexplicable circumstances.
“I will be the first to admit to being the kind of person who watches a gruesome true crime documentary to ‘relax’ at the end of a long day,” said Liz Moore. “Who doesn’t enjoy a great ‘whodunnit’ with a few twists, turns, and head-scratching clues to unravel?”
The play has generated extraordinary student interest and participation. “There are not words to properly describe how exciting it was to have 33 students audition (for only 11 roles),” Moore noted. “We have not had that many people audition for a straight play in my 13 years at ConVal. We’ve double-cast two previous productions, but NEVER triple, and never have we had specifically identified understudies.”
The following table illustrates the various ensembles (“Stage Right,” “Stage Left,” and “Back Stage”) and the student participants in their respective roles:
| Stage Right | Stage Left | Back Stage | |
| Rogers | Avery Swasey | Esther Janis | Max DePoyster |
| Mrs. Rogers | Makila Sestito | Jazzy Woodhouse | Miranda Ellis |
| Fred Narracott | Thomas Flynn | Alex Humphrey | Brian Alonso |
| Vera Claythorne | Hadi Lancaric | Maddy Kemp | Annelise Strong |
| Philip Lombard | Ben Michaud | Lukas Baker | Kai Flynn |
| Anthony Marston | Ella Stultz | Renzo Patterson | Xander Bisson |
| William Blore | AJ Mackensen | Nicole Davison | Megan Millbauer |
| General Mackenzie | Rowan Davidson | Cupid Torres | |
| Emily Brent | Kaitlyn Stone | Madigan Rogers | Rachel Stajduhar |
| Sir Lawrence Wargrave | Beau Olesky | Doc Cassidy | Kalyn Ross |
| Dr. Armstrong | Ryan Whitney | Lilli Juarez | Morgan Salisbury |
The play’s production staff includes: Esther Janis, AJ Mackensen (Stage Managers); Jennifer Hopkins (Lighting Designer); Josh Ellis (Sound Designer); Elijah LaCroix (Sound Effects); Frank LeBlanc (Microphone Tech); Kettu Reynolds (Properties Manager); Isabella Stehly, Max DePoyster (Costume Design); Christian Hall, Mike Scaramellino, Jim Wickham (Set Construction); Anna-belle Buchanan, Kai Flynn, Alyssa Hamlin, Alex Williams (Crew); Jason Lambert (The Voice); and Liz Moore (Director, Season Producer).
Moore expressed gratitude to the many others who helped in the production: “We have had support from SO many within and without our building as we rebuild our program after the pandemic. We cannot thank you enough for your support for the Arts and all it brings us.”
Opening night is November 3 at 7:00 pm, followed by performances on November 4 (7:00 pm) and on November 5 (2:00 pm and 7:00 pm). Tickets — $5 for students, staff, and seniors $5.00, $10 for adults — can be purchased online by clicking here.
