Peril in the Alps

DETECTIVE HERCULE POIROT CONFRONTS
PERIL IN THE ALPS
A WORLD PREMIERE COMIC MYSTERY
AT NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE
Written and Directed by Steven Dietz
Based on “Poirot Investigates” by Agatha Christie

NOW EXTENDED TO MAY 18TH!

Solana Beach, Calif. – The twin sister of Captain Hastings wife, Dulcie, has been kidnapped – and Hercule Poirot rightly expects not only extortion to follow, but murder! Using elements of Agatha Christie’s “Poirot Investigates,” Steven Dietz creates a sequel to his wildly popular Murder on the Links, taking us on a thrilling and dangerous trip to the snow-capped Alps, where the famed Belgian detective may finally meet his match. Six actors bring to life dozens of eccentric characters and clever suspects in this diabolically funny comic mystery. If you’re yearning for a good laugh, don’t miss it!

Steven Dietz directs Gabbie Adner, Valerie Larsen,* Brian Mackey,* Omri Schein,* Amanda Sitton,* and Christopher M. Williams* in PERIL IN THE ALPS. The Design Team includes Marty Burnett (Scenic Design), Matthew Novotny (Lighting Design), Elisa Benzoni (Costume Design), Rai Feltmann (Props Design, Rob Witmer (Composer & Sound Design), Grace Wong (Associate Costume Design), and Peter Herman (Hair & Wigs Design). Vernon Willett* is the Production Manager, and Annabelle Oellette, the Production Assistant.

*The actor or stage manager appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.

PERIL IN THE ALPS previews begin on Wednesday, April 16. Opening Night is set for Saturday, April 19, at 8 pm. The play runs Wednesday, April 16, to Sunday, May 18, with performances on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 pm and Sundays at 7 pm. Added matinee performances at 2pm on Friday, April 18, and Wednesday, May 7. A talkback session with the cast is scheduled for April 25.

BIOS:

STEVEN DIETZ (Playwright/Director) At North Coast Rep: Murder on the Links (world premiere), This Random World, Bloomsday, Becky’s New Car, Dracula. For the ‘24-25 season, Dietz was once again named one of the “20 Most Produced Playwrights in America” by American Theatre Magazine. Recent and upcoming premieres include Gaslight (from Patrick Hamilton); and a new mystery/thriller, Vineland Place.  Dietz co-adapted his play Shooting Star into the movie “What Happens Later” – starring Meg Ryan. Awards include the Steinberg New Play Citation for Bloomsday; Kennedy Center New American Plays Award for both Fiction and Still Life with Iris; PEN-USA Award for Lonely Planet; and the Edgar Award® for Best Mystery Play for Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure.  Dietz has directed new work at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Northlight Theatre, ACT Theatre, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Denver Center Theatre Company, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, among many others. Previously a professor of playwriting and directing at UT/Austin, Dietz continues to teach master classes across the country. A native of Denver, Dietz and his wife, playwright Allison Gregory, divide their time between Austin and Seattle.

ALPHABETICAL ORDER

GABBIE ADNER (Woman Two) Is thrilled to be making her North Coast Rep debut in the World Premiere of Steven Dietz’ Peril in the Alps! She’s elated to be reprising her role, as Bella/Dulcie because last October, she played the same cunning twins in the International City Theatre’s production of Murder on the Links, directed by Todd Nielsen. Other credits in include: Desperate Measures (International City Theatre - LA Premiere), Belles are Swinging a New Musical (Presentations at La Mirada Theater and The Gary Marshall), Fetch (Scripts and Sips at the Colony Theater directed by Michael Donovan), Disney Cruise Line (F19/F23), Women of Zalongo (HB Playwright’s festival ’23 directed by Kari Hayter written by Maria Cominis) and many more. Huge thanks to the North Coast Rep artistic team, Steven Dietz, FSE, and her support system back home for their love and encouragement. Titans reach higher (CSUF MT BFA ‘20)! @gabbieadner www.gabbieadner.com

VALERIE LARSEN* (Captain Hastings) is so excited to be working on another world premiere! Regional Theater Selection: Clara, The Light in the Piazza at the Broad Santa Monica; Ring of Fire, ETC Santa Barbara & Tuacahn's Hafen Theatre; Hermione, A Sad Tale's Best for Winter, A Noise Within; Ensemble/Swing, Frozen Live at the Hyperion; Ensemble, Something Rotten at Musical Theater West. TV: Kathy in “Extreme Measures," Discovery+ Network. Her recent work also includes a Johnny Cash Tribute Concert and releasing her own EP of Johnny Cash Covers - 'Man in Black' - streaming everywhere!  Val teaches voice and instrumental lessons online, is a singer songwriter and dotes on her cat, Petra. Love and thanks to all of her music students, her family, dear friends, and partner for all their support! For more on Val you can find her on Instagram @thevallarsen, TikTok @thevallarsen1 or via her website thevallarsen.com.  

BRIAN MACKEY* (Man Two) is excited to use his little grey cells again. Select credits include: Murder on the Links, Ben Butler, Little Women, A Christmas Carol (North Coast Rep); Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Glass Menagerie, Travesties, The History Boys, A Christmas Carol (Cygnet Theatre); Outside Mullingar, Noises Off, Silent Sky, The Explorer’s Club, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Lamb’s Players Theatre); The Humans, In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play (San Diego Repertory); Abundance, Smokefall (Backyard Renainsance); Baby with the Bathwater, The Little Dog Laughed (Diversionary Theatre); All My Sons, Hamlet, Enemy of the People (Intrepid Theatre); The Woolgatherer, Jack Goes Boating, In the Heat of the Night, All in the Timing (ion theatre); Romeo, Romeo and Juliet (Roustabouts Theatre); The Heidi Chronicles, Julius Ceasar (New Village Arts).

OMRI SCHEIN* (Hercule Poirot) is half of the musical theatre writing team of Lincoln and Schein of which their musicals include The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, The Remarkable Mister Holmes, Making Melrose, Grecian Burns, and Fintastic Finn. Other writing credits: Mambo Italiano the musical, Withering Heights, and Gary Goldfarb: Master Escapist (2013 NYMF Award Best Lyrics). Recent directing credits include Fiddler on The Roof and Anything Goes for San Diego Musical Theatre, Psycho Beach Party at Southwestern College and The Mousetrap at Grossmont College. As a performer: Murder On The Links (world premiere) Baskerville, Babette’s Feast, All In The Timing, A Funny Thing…ForumX3, Persuasion, Noises Off, The Explorer's Club, Beau Jest, Laughter On the 23rd Floor, Around The World in 80 Days, The Underpants, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling BeeX3, Five Course Love, The Big Bang, When Pigs Fly, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Dear World, The People Vs. Mona (Off-Broadway/Cast Recording), Hell’s Belles, Henry V, Grease (tour) and When You’re in Love, The Whole World Is Jewish directed by Jason Alexander. Member of AEA. www.omri-schein.com.

AMANDA SITTON* (Woman One) Selected theater credits include: Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Don’t Dress For Dinner, Collected Stories, Amy’s View (North Coast Rep), Present Laughter, Maple and Vine, Glass Menagerie, It’s A Wonderful Life (Cygnet Theater, Resident Artist) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Humans, Oldest Boy, Road to Mecca, Doubt (SD Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Award Outstanding Featured Performance) A Christmas Carol (San Diego Rep),,  Comedy of Errors, Golden Boy (SD Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Award Outstanding Lead Performance) , Sailor’s Song (New Village Arts), Fair Use,  Twilight of the Golds, Torch Song Trilogy (Diversionary Theater), Ms. Sitton received her BA in Theatre from UCSD and is a proud member of Actors' Equity.

CHRISTOPHER M. WILLIAMS * (Man One) is a union actor and stage manager, director, producer, fight choreographer, designer, and instructor. Over the past twenty years, he has directed, stage managed or performed in nearly forty productions at North Coast Repertory Theatre. He spent time as Associate Artistic Director and Casting Director of NCRT following his duties as founding Artistic Director of Oceanside Theatre Company. Select credits include playing Nathan Rothschild in the original cast of the Off-Broadway production of Rothschild & Sons, opposite Robert Cuccioli; Hamlet On Trial with comedy legend Billy Connolly (Theatre League); The Drawer Boy and A Moon for the Misbegotten (AZ Theatre Company); Noises Off (Idaho Shakespeare Festival); Angels In America: Part I & II, Noises Off and Lobby Hero (Actors Theatre); Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oliver!, West Side Story, A Funny Thing…Forum (Southwest Shakespeare Company). Christopher served as producer, casting director, on-set acting coach, and post-art coordinator for the WWII feature “Walking With the Enemy,” starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Jonas Armstrong.

VERNON WILLET* (Production Stage Manager) is returning to North Coast Rep with this production of Peril in the Alps after having most recently helmed 2P4H,Tartuffe, Angel Next Door, Don’t Dress For Dinner and Murder on the Links here at North Coast Rep. Vernon’s work encompasses many of the Southern California theatres: the Laguna Playhouse, McCoy/Rigby Entertainment, Musical Theatre West, 3D Theatricals, the Rubicon Theatre, San Diego Musical Theatre, Theatre Aspen, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre and a myriad of others. He shares his life with award-winning director/choreographer/champion ballroom dancer/multiple hyphenate/entrepreneur Cate Caplin. Actors’ Equity Association member since 1983.