Little Theater Spooks Patrons with 'Art of Murder'

Photo by Sheila Price Carl Nubile (Vincent Cumming), Brandon DeGroat (Jack Brooks), and Danielle Eure (Annie Brooks)

ALEXANDRIA, VA - In a Halloween night premiere, The Little Theater of Alexandria spooked an enthusiastic audience with the chilling "Art of Murder," by playwright Joe DiPietro.  
 
Directed by  C. Evans Kirk and produced by Robin Parker and Kevin O'Dowd, the curtain on "Art of Murder" opened to a breathtakingly crafted set, designed by C. Evans Kirk.  
 

Photo by Sheila Price Brandon DeGroat (Jack Brooks), Carl Nubile (Vincent Cumming), and Danielle Eure (Annie Brooks)

Our antagonist, Jack Brooks, portrayed by Brandon DeGroat, is quite simply a donkey's behind.  He deeply offends everyone, including his wife.  
 
A celebrated artist, Jack Brooks' paintings are actually the work of his wife, Annie, portrayed by Danielle Eure.  Jack also sexually harasses the maid, played by Nicole White. Jack also threatens his art dealer/agent, Carl Nubile, played skillfully by Vincent Cumming.
 
It is really just a question of who will kill this odious character first, but the play keeps us guessing during intermission and throughout the second act, which is of course what we want from a murder mystery whether onstage, onscreen or between the covers of a novel.
 
As is typically the case with the Little Theater, the members of the all-volunteer cast had numerous prior credits at other noted theaters and their experience shone through as they kept up the suspense-filled pace of the action.  
 
Special kudos to Brandon DeGroat for being so evil this Halloween night.

Photo by Sheila Price Carl Nubile (Vincent Cumming) and Danielle Eure (Annie Brooks)

Photo by Sheila Price Brandon DeGroat (Jack Brooks) and Danieel Eure (Annie Brooks)

Photo by Sheila Price Danielle Eure (Annie Brooks) and Nicole White (Kate)