MRP Presents "Fright Night"

The Marian Rice Players

2024-25 Season

October 24 - 27, 2024 Marian High School Auditorium 7225 Lahser Rd., Bloomfield Hills

The Marian Rice Players

2024-25 Season

Written and Adapted by L. Don Swartz

Director Kelly Davis

Producer Amy Blevins

Light Design Jim Davis

Set Design Kelly Davis

Produced by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing Company

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

Crew Director.........................................................Kelly Davis Producer.....................................................Amy Blevins Set Design....................................................Kelly Davis Light Design....................................................Jim Davis Original Score....................................Christopher Davis Crew................................................Summer Borromeo Tommy Brady, Milo Carter, Elizabeth Emerick Angelica Gedwill, George Rozansky Program......................................................Amy Blevins

Ella Adams ‘27

Nora Austin ‘28

Summer Borromeo ‘27

Tommy Brady ‘25

Milo Carter ‘27

Elizabeth Emerick ‘26

Angelica Gedwill ‘27

Allyson McAllister ‘28

Ben Malick ‘26

Ava Olah ‘25

Current and past show pictures!

George Rozansky ‘25

Rhea Sanders ‘25

Thank You!

We wish to thank everyone for their assistance and support, especially the following: The Parents and Families of the Cast & Crew Marian Administration, Faculty & Staff Brother Rice Administration, Faculty & Staff Detroit Country Day School Leon Halip: www.LeonHalipphotography.com Daniel Mahoney - Video Tru Food PDQ Printing, Royal Oak Speedy Tees, Birmingham

THE LUISE SMELA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Luise Smela was a proud member of the Marian faculty and staff from the fall of 1979 to the spring 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 High School.

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 time at Marian.

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 at Marian.”

To donate to the Luise Smela Scholarship Fund, please scan the QR code or visit www.marian-hs.org/give and note “Smela” in the Comments Box.

International Thespian Society Troupe #5537 Marian High School & Brother Rice High School Dr. Kelly Davis - Troupe Director

Members Ava Olah ‘25 – President Rhea Sanders ‘25 – Vice President Ella Adams ‘27 – Secretary Tatym Williams ‘26 – Treasurer Madelyn Prantera ‘26 – PR Historian/Social Media Elizabeth Emerick ‘26 Kingston Nevils ‘26 Giselle Sesi ‘26

Upcoming Events Michigan Thespian Festival December 13th & 14th, Lansing An Evening of One Acts April 5th, 2025 @ 7PM

U czmiog Pe fz miog A ¶¨ EÖeo¶¨ Auditions Dec. 76 & Dec. Dec. Dec.78 Open to all Middle School & High School students!

Scan for info

March 6 -9, 2025

Congratulations to the cast and crew of FRIGHT NIGHT: Three Tales of Terror