(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) — The Lord Stirling Theater Company will perform the Agatha Christie murder mystery “A Murder Is Announced” in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center, 450 King George Road, Basking Ridge, NJ.  Performances run October 20-22 and October 27-29, 2023.

Based on Agatha Christie’s 1950 novel of the same name and adapted for the stage in 1977 by Leslie Darbon, “A Murder Is Announced” takes place in the quiet, little village of Chipping Cleghorn, where the residents are astonished to read an advertisement in the local newspaper that gives the date and time a murder will take place at the home of Letitia Blacklock. Unable to resist their curiosity, a group gathers at the house at the appointed time, when the lights go out and gunshots are fired. The body of a stranger is found lying on the drawing room floor. Fortunately, Miss Marple is on hand to help unravel a complex series of relationships and events to solve the mystery of the killer. 

Performances take place Friday, October 20 at 7:30pm, October 21 at 7:30pm, October 22 at 2:00pm, October 27 and 28 at 7:30pm, and October 29 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $25 general admission, $23 for seniors (65 and over) and students, $20 for Farmstead Arts members, and $15 for children under 12. Tickets may be purchased online at https://farmsteadartscenter.org or at the door (cash only). 

The Lord Stirling Theater Company’s production of “A Murder Is Announced” is directed by Peter Curley of Morristown. The cast includes (in order of appearance): Ruth Kliwinski of Bloomfield as Letitia Blacklock, Missy Renwick of Summit as Julia Simmons, Ginny Johnston of Maplewood as Dora Bunner, Brian Madden of Rahway as Patrick Simmons, Danielle Levitt of Westfield as Mitzi, Eileen McShane of Bernardsville as Miss Marple, Sally O’Sullivan of Oak Ridge as Phillipa Haymes, Mary O’Connor-Kelley of Fanwood as Mrs. Swettenham, Peter Despres of East Orange as Edmund Swettenham, Allan Gershenson of Linden as Rudi Scherz, Rick Brown of Verona as Inspector Craddock, and Eric Williams of Mount Tabor as Sergeant Mellors.

“A Murder Is Announced” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

“A Murder Is Announced” concludes The Lord Stirling Theater Company’s eighth season at the Farmstead Arts Center. Past productions include “Blithe Spirit,” “Ken Ludwig’s Leading Ladies” (which received the 2023 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Properties in a Play and was nominated for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play), “Cobb” (which received the 2022 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Stage Management of a Play and was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play and Outstanding Sound Design of a Play), “Dracula” (which was nominated for the 2020 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play), “The Importance of Being Earnest” (which received the 2019 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Costume Design of a Play and was nominated in six other categories, including Outstanding Production of a Play), “Treasure Island,” “Othello,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Of Mice and Men,” “And Then There Were None,” “The Dresser,” “Frankenstein’s Fate,” “The Tempest,” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

A dynamic community of creative artists based in Basking Ridge, the group is committed to presenting innovative theater for diverse audiences, through readings and full productions of classical theater and new works, as well as exploring the American experience through compelling productions that illuminate and celebrate our history, culture, and literature. The theater group fosters the next generation of theater artists and audiences by providing unique hands-on educational programming and training in all aspects of theater production.

The English Barn Theater is wheelchair accessible. Anyone anticipating the need for additional accessibility services please send an e-mail in advance to farmsteadartscenter@gmail.com. The barn is neither heated nor air conditioned; please dress accordingly. 

This event has been made possible, in part, by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.