September 30, 2009 – Our Town – OWU

Ohio Wesleyan’s Department of Theatre & Dance will present the mystery thriller ‘Night Watch’ in five performances beginning October 2. Starring are, from left, Joanna Van Sickle ’10, Katelyn Schroeder ’11, Laurel Elliott ’11, Andrew Houlihan ’11, and Joe Lugosch ’13.

Photo by Kate Alexander ’10

Night Watch
OWU Department of Theatre & Dance presents classic murder mystery

Set in New York City in the early 1970s, Lucille Fletcher’s “Night Watch” tells the story of a murder about to happen … but who will it be … and where? This classic murder mystery promises to tingle spines with suspense as the clues unravel.

“Night Watch” premieres homecoming weekend, October 2 and 3, at 8 p.m. in Chappelear Drama Center.  There is another 8 p.m. showing October 9 and 10, and a 2 p.m. showing October 11.

Auditions for “Night Watch” were held August 27, and rehearsal began August 30. Since then, the actors and crew have been working tirelessly to prepare for opening night.

“Students should definitely come see this play because it’s something we have all worked very hard on and we want to share that with the student body,” says Katie Jenks ’12, publicity coordinator.

“It’s important for students to see everything OWU has to offer,” she says. “Also, I’m sure everyone knows at least one person involved in the play because it’s not only theatre majors involved.”

The cast and crew include more than 40 Ohio Wesleyan students. The play is directed by theatre professor Elane Denny-Todd. The scenic design is by theatre professor D. Glen Vanderbilt Jr., with lighting design by Chad Knutson, costume design by Jacqueline Shelley, and stage management by Ohio Wesleyan student Rachel Spetrino ’11 from Medina, Ohio.

Lead actors include Laurel Elliott ’11 from Phoenix, Arizona, as Ellen Wheeler; Andrew Houlihan ’10 from New York City, New York, as Elaine’s husband, John Wheeler; Katelyn Schroeder ’11 from Hong Kong, as Blanche; and Joanna Van Sickle ’10 from Delaware, Ohio, playing Helga, the eavesdropping German maid.

“It’s fun playing one of the characters that provides comic relief to the show because the show does get very intense at times,” Van Sickle says. “It’s always fun seeing a script come to life and ‘Night Watch’ is definitely a script that is more exciting to see than read, though that’s how plays are meant to function.”

Houlihan agrees that working on “Night Watch” has been a great experience, although it has not been an easy task.

“It has been a challenge as an individual actor to grasp my character, John Wheeler, a wealthy resident of Manhattan and a tough, fast-paced, Wall Street stockbroker,” he says. “Although I am from New York City and aware of the world in which the Wheelers reside, I have played more suave and eloquent characters in previous OWU productions.”

Houlihan says that although his role can be challenging, the cast has been a pleasure to work with.

“When you work with a small group of people, individuals get to shine in their own roles,” he says. “With a story like ‘Night Watch.’ everyone is essential to the development of the plot. I have been very impressed by everyone’s hard work to make this whole production a success. My character is a heavy one, but it is a great relief to work with such a professional, diverse and supportive cast and backstage crew.”

– Emily Hastings ’10