Written by: Jonathan Dorf, Tyler Dwiggins, Kathryn Funkhouser, Patrick Greene, Mora V. Harris, Carrie McCrossen, Ian McWethy & Jason Pizzarello
When eccentric billionaire J. Leslie Arlington is murdered, a clueless detective finds the suspects are all reluctant to admit their alibis . . . because, at the time, they were all committing other ridiculous crimes.
Play Synopsis by Scene
Meet the Cast
Tech Crew
Meet the Directors
DIRECTOR'S NOTE:
I came to Glen Lake Theater as a parent of Glen Lake Students who was able to cover a maternity leave for the director. That was a long time ago. I’ve done more than a dozen shows through a worldwide pandemic, multiple formats, innumerable other challenges, and a revolving cast of students, parents, and administrators. We’ve seen a lot of change over the years, but my message stays the same; Arts are important. Kids need a creative outlet. Arts positively influence educational outcomes. Arts deserve equitable funding and support.
I cannot begin to explain how much pride and amazement I’ve gotten out of watching these kids and their development over the years. They are clever, funny, aware, and caring. The bonds formed by a theater cast are a refuge for many students outside of the mainstream social group. They have to trust one another to work together onstage and that carries over for them. Nearly unanimously, they will say their favorite thing about the show is the friends they make. I like to think that I am included in that group too.
This will be my last show as director for the school. My kids have moved on to other schools, and while I LOVE working with the kids and producing these shows, the time it takes is monumental. Financial and personal circumstances make this difficult decision necessary for me. I am very pleased and hopeful to see the new administration take an interest in improving the arts at Glen Lake. The addition of two of my closest friends as music teachers for the school is also a source of great comfort. Rob Stow produced many shows in Elk Rapids and has performed at high levels all over the place. Jeremy Evans and his experiences in professional theater and music created the legendary Leland theater program. Both have taught at Interlochen’s Summer Programs and will take excellent care of the progress and program that countless parents and I have worked so hard to build. I can’t wait to see what happens!
Special thanks are due from me to the following people:
Alicia Romzek, Susan Littlefield-Dungjen, Jeremiah Dungjen, Zinnia Dungjen, Ted Dungjen, AJ Guertin, Teddy House, Kathy Verstraete, Lisa Siddall, The Entire Custodial Staff, The Entire Administrative Staff, The Teachers, The GLFT, The Students, The Families, Guy Molnar, Matt McCormick, Jose Garcia, Ed Blackburn, Maria Ulrich, Jonah Powell, Pat Niemisto, Emily Gordon, Jessie Martin, Joe and Elizabeth Blondia, anyone who’s ever been to a set bee or a strike or seen a show or picked up a kid or dropped of a kid or….. These thank you' s are inadequate. A theater production is impossible for a single person and I could never have done any of it without everyone else involved. I thank each of them/you and hope you can understand how important it is for these kids.
Arts teach lessons
Arts teach teamwork
Arts teach collaboration
Arts need support
Please, in my absence, keep the heat on the powers that be to fund arts at Glen Lake. If you’ve enjoyed our shows or had a positive experience, go to the administration and lobby loudly and proudly for arts funding. Take a moment to call a board of education member and press them to increase funding for arts experiences in the district. Squeaky wheels get greased and Arts has a solid foothold to grow into a world class program. I have always been amazed and impressed with Glen Lake’s willingness to allow after school programs of all kinds. They are happy to form a club or a team or a group to allow a dedicated adult to share a skill or a passion with the kids of the school. Without a dedicated leader, these clubs sometimes ebb and flow, but the strong programs with leaders and a vocal group of parents and kids are always proudly embraced. Give the administration and the BOE an earful of good news about theater, flood them with the amazing work the kids are doing and how important it is that the programs are supported. Thank you for this opportunity.
Bill Dungjen
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S NOTE:
I believe that this is the most kind, creative, loving, and fun group of students at Glen Lake Schools. I have had a wonderful time working with each one of the actors, and getting to know them on a deeper level. Thank you to the parents for all the volunteering and driving your kids to and from rehearsals. Thank you for helping them with their lines and encouraging them to take to the stage. Theater is a fantastic outlet for all ages, but especially for teenagers. Theater teaches our children self-confidence, public speaking, and work ethic. Thank you to everyone who supports the arts at Glen Lake Schools. We look froward to many more years of growth. I am excited to see what this group of actors does next. Thank you for letting me work with your children.
Break a leg!
P.S. My alibi is that I was at theater practice every day, so I had no time to commit any crimes.
Emily Gordon
SECOND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S NOTE:
As someone who didn't work in any theater program growing up, it's been an honor to work with the kids over the past few performances at Glen Lake. Watching the show come together and helping the actors find their voices, get into their characters, and seeing that moment when a show finally clicks, is a very cool experience! Thanks to Bill Dungjen and Emily Gordon for letting me be a part of it, and the actors for helping me help them in any way I can.
Oliver Roberts
Special Thanks
A heartfelt thank you to all the actors, tech crew, and parents for helping us put this show together. Special thanks to Jason Misner, Ryan Schrock, Dina Rocheleau, Jaime Smith, Jen Fosmore, Sarah Morgan, Sam Gray, Teddy Butrick, and Rob Stow for supporting the Theater Program at Glen Lake. Thank you to Five Shores Brewing, Women's Resource Center, RR Embroidery & Design, LaBecasse, Cottonseed Apparel, and Cherry Republic.
