Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 9, 1990 TAG: 9003081542
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ELAINE VIEL SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: CHRIST LENGTH: Medium
There's murder, snappy dialogue, a hard-bitten police detective, deception, love and - above all else, according to the production's director, Mike Creamer - intrigue.
And it all revolves around the beautiful and alluring Laura.
When the play begins, Detective Mark McPherson is called to Laura's posh New York apartment to investigate her murder.
"There is a body," Creamer said. "Someone opened the door and shot her face off."
McPherson finds himself falling in love with Laura after questioning her friends and being captivated by her portrait, which dominates the room.
"I enjoy the intrigue," Creamer said of the mystery, which was written by Vera Caspary and George Sklar, "and I enjoy keeping the audience one step behind."
Creamer said the three-act play is filled with plot twists.
He said he has watched the video of the movie "Laura" almost every night, "looking for sets, costumes . . . a lot of information. There will be a very detailed, elaborate set."
The haunting and unforgettable theme from the movie, Creamer said, will be sung by Howard Buchholz before the curtain opens to further add to the mood.
The cast of "Laura" includes Mike Miller as Mark McPherson; Jamie Davidson as Danny Dorgan; Michael Vaughn as Waldo Lydecker; Andrew Bowyer as Shelby Carpenter; Sandy Wiedegreen as Bessie Clary; Nora Hansen as Mrs. Dorgan; and Suzanne Langley as a girl.
The all-important portrait of Laura, Creamer said, was painted by Christiansburg artist Barbara Capps.
Kim Snider has designed the sets, Anna Dalton is the production stage manager, Dearl Kniskern is costume designer and the lighting design is by Karen Taylor.
Creamer has been active with the Christiansburg Community Theater for 2 1/2 years and has acted in several of the group's productions, including "Dial M for Murder," "Crimes of the Heart," and, most recently, "Tender Trap."
Creamer said "Laura" has been "one of the more fun plays to have worked on for me."
"Laura" runs through Saturday at the Christiansburg High School auditorium.
Curtain is at 8 nightly. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for senior citizens and children 12 and under.
For information or reservations, call the theater at 382-0154.
by CNB