(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Lord Stirling Theater Company presents Agatha Christie's Black Coffee in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center across two weekends (October 18-20 and October 25-27, 2024). An accomplished physicist has constructed a workable formula for one of the deadliest weapons on earth. After the theft of this formula and a suspicious murder, the stage is set for the legendary detective Hercule Poirot to get involved in the case.
Poirot, along with the help of Captain Hastings and Inspector Japp, must figure out who committed the murder (or murders?) and stole the formula, as well as sort through the endless red herrings, subplots, and wonderful twists and turns in true Agatha Christie fashion. This mystery will surprise and delight all audiences!
The Lord Stirling Theater Company’s production of Black Coffee is directed by David Kelley of Fanwood. The cast includes (in order of appearance): Samantha Clark of Long Hill as Tredwell, Erin Feith of Florham Park as Lucia Amory, Eileen McShane of Bernardsville as Miss Caroline Amory, Arthur Carlson of Nutley as Richard Amory, Elizabeth Drew of Mendham as Barbara Amory, Kristin Sarboukh of South Bound Brook as Edith Raynor, Lee Grabelsky of Monroe as Dr. Carelli, Joel Redmount of Scotch Plains as Sir Claud Amory, Bob Scarpone of Flanders as Hercule Poirot, Brian Madden of Rahway as Captain Arthur Hastings, Mary O’Connor-Kelley of Fanwood as Dr. Graham, Sarah Stirling of Rahway as Inspector Japp, and Juliet DiBonaventura of Rockaway Borough as Johnson.
LEFT: Samantha Clark (Tredwell) and Bob Scarpone (Hercule Poirot) RIGHT: Brian Madden (Captain Arthur Hastings) Photos by Sarah Stirling
Black Coffee will open on Friday, October 18, at 7:30pm, with additional performances on October 19 at 7:30pm, October 20 at 2:00pm, October 25-26 at 7:30pm, and October 27 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 or at the door (cash only). The Farmstead Arts Center is located at 450 King George Road in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
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.
Black Coffee is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
Black Coffee concludes The Lord Stirling Theater Company’s ninth season at the Farmstead Arts Center. Recent productions include The Wisdom of Eve, A Murder Is Announced (which was nominated for the 2024 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play), 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).
A dynamic community of creative artists based in Basking Ridge, The Lord Stirling Theater Company 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.
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.
LEFT: Arthur Carlson (Richard Amory), Eileen McShane (Miss Caroline Amory) and Erin Feith (Lucia Amory) RIGHT: Kristin Sarboukh (Edith Raynor), Joel Redmount (Sir Claud Amory), and Erin Feith (Lucia Amory) Photos by Sarah Stirling
Arthur Carlson (Richard Amory) and Erin Feith (Lucia Amory). Photo by Sarah Stirling
