MRP Presents "Fright Night"

October 24 - 27, 2024

Marian High School Auditorium

7225 Lahser Rd., Bloomfield Hills

The Marian Rice Players 2024-25 Season

Angel Donors

2024 - 2025 Season

Seraphim $100+

Mary Ann Findling

The Koziara Family

Heather Greig Sofran ‘96

Archangel $50+

Nancy Lentini

Javier Mena

Guardian Angel $25+

Rosanne Acciaoli ‘74

Sheila Geary

Kristen Roland

Sharon Allmen Videtich ‘88

Thank you so much!

To become an Angel Donor, please donate at marianriceplayers.ludus.com or please scan QR code

THEATRE ETIQUETTE

Flash photography and media recording are strictly prohibited at any time during the performance.

Please turn off all electronic devices (cell/smart phones, smart watches, etc...) and refrain from texting during the performance.

Complimentary concessions are available in the lobby at intermission. To help maintain our theatre, we thank you for not taking food or beverages into the auditorium.

Please recycle your programs. Bins are available at the auditorium doors for any programs not needed beyond today’s performance.

Thank you!

“The Tell-Tale Heart” “The Monkey’s Paw”

Intermission “Midnight Wax”

STORY OF THE PLAY

FRIGHT NIGHT consists of three one-act tales of horror. Both of the classics, “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs and “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe, have been dramatized and updated here. The third tale, “Midnight Wax,” is an original play by L. Don Swartz.

“The Monkey’s Paw” tells the story of a family destroyed by a grisly talisman that promises to grant three wishes. The “Tell-Tale Heart” is set in the contemporary American judicial system where clinical experts delve too deeply into a killer’s scarred psyche, only to discover that the motiveless murder is anything but. “Midnight Wax” is the story of an ambitious reporter who agrees to spend the night alone in a wax museum to write a Halloween piece, only to discover that she is not the only one in the museum with a secret.

FRIGHT NIGHT was originally produced by the Ghostlight Theatre Company at the Grant Street Theatre in North Tonawanda, NY, on October 16, 1997. The production, which consisted of three original one-act plays, was directed by Chris Fire, Scott Lesinski and L. Don Swartz.

“The

Tell-Tale Heart”

A mystery in one act Based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe Adapted by L. Don Swartz

TIME: The present.

PLACE: A basement conference room in the Municipal Courthouse, Boston.

Cast

Officer Griswold............................Milo Carter

Officer Graham..................Allyson McAllister

Counselor Valdemar...................Nora Austin

Dr. Tarr........................................Ella Adams

Professor Fether..........................Ben Malick

Prosecutor Blood............................Ava Olah

Ms. Blackwood........................Rhea Sanders

“The

Monkey’s Paw”

A tale of terror in one act Based on the short story by W. W. Jacobs Adapted by L. Don Swartz

TIME: End of summer. The present.

PLACE: A living room of a small farmhouse, rural Missouri.

Synopsis of Scenes

Scene 1: Evening.

Scene 2. Later that night. Scene 3: The next morning. Scene 4: Ten days later.

Cast

Mary White..................................Ella Adams

John White...................................Ben Malick

Christine White.......................Rhea Sanders

Special Agent Morris.......................Ava Olah

Helen Meggins............................Nora Austin

“Midnight

Wax”

A mystery in one act

By L. Don Swartz

TIME: The present

PLACE: An exhibit room in Midgett’s Midnight Wax Museum

Synopsis of Scenes

Scene 1: Late October. Afternoon.

Scene 2: Later that night. Midnight Scene 3: The next morning Scene 4: Later that day.

Cast

Gordon Midgett.................George Rozansky

Ms. Midgett.....................................Ava Olah

David............................................Ben Malick

Caroline..................................Rhea Sanders

Terry Barker.................................Ella Adams

Lois.............................................Nora Austin

Police.............Allyson McAllister, Milo Carter

Wicked Witch....................Elizabeth Emerick

Prince of Darkness..................Tommy Brady

Red Death...........................Angelica Gedwill

Mr. Hyde....................................Amy Blevins

Angelica Gedwill ‘27

Ava Olah ‘25

THE LUISE SMELA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Luise Smela was a proud member of the Marian facultyandstafffromthefallof1979tothespring of 2008. During her many years at the school, she was an incredibly impactful teacher and the beloved Producer/Director of the Marian Rice Players (MRP), the joint drama department between Marian High School and Brother Rice HighSchool.

Lu approached education with an outward focus. She created a forum for her students to embrace altruism with the philosophy that loving others first must be woven into the fabric of right living That unshakeable foundation for life impacted all those who participated in the hundreds of performances she directed. She taught her students that no job in the theater was more important than another, just as for her, no student was more important than another. Luise Smela made a difference and was so proud of her many students who became successful professionals in the theatre and entertainment world.

Ava Olah

2025-2026 Recipient

Ava hope to study Communications after her timeatMarian.

On why receiving this scholarship was important to her: “It is truly an honor to be acknowledged for my passion in the performing arts. Receiving this scholarship allowed me to recognize how much I love performing. From the nerves I get before going on stage to the excitement I feel while on stage; I love it all. I am so grateful for this scholarship and the performing arts program atMarian.”