All An Act Theater Delivers Its 'Verdict'
You be the judge of classic Agatha Christie play
Continuing Friday, Feb. 10
Little Italy's own All An Act theater opens its 2023 season with the debut of its 13th Agatha Christie production, entitled Verdict. Verdict is unlike most other Agatha Christie plays in that there is no typical "whodunnit"; in fact, the murder is committed on stage (also to note: the play is an original story, not an adaptation).
David W. Mitchell, the director of Verdict and co-owner/artistic director of All An Act said, "Last year's Love from A Stranger was more of a psychological thriller; I was looking for something that wasn't typical Christie material. Verdict fits the bill."
Verdict follows the story of Karl Hendryk, a professor who escaped persecution in his home country (for harboring the family of a political dissident) with his wife and her cousin to settle in London as an academic. His wife Anya is ailing and unhappy with her life in London, while Hendryk has an unspoken attraction to Anya's cousin (and caretaker). However, when a young woman named Helen enters the scene and murders Anya, making it look like a suicide, Hendryk's life is blown open and he finds himself at the center of a melodrama.
Mitchell explained, "Even though there is a murder, the play is more about relationships, ideals, and morality, and how our own morality and ideals can affect those around us. Sometimes forcing others to sacrifice on our behalf. It's a story about being human."
Verdict features Robert Yates, Lisa Simonian, Larry Lewis, Sue Hansen, Tori Snyder, Amanda Hill, Chad Santos, Michael Graham, Wayne Gardner and David Strazisar, and runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in February.
Fridays & Saturdays: 7:30 p.m., Sundays, 2:30 p.m. // All An Act, 652 W. 17th St. // Adults: $18, Seniors: $15, Students: $15, Children (6-11): $5 // For more information, including AAA's Covid policy, please visit: allanact.net/now-playing
