By Isabella Zarate
If you are a theatre fan, or even just looking for a fun night out, you are in luck!
This November, the Monticello Theatre Association will present Death and Taxes. The play which is written by Pat Cook will be shown five times throughout the month, so you have plenty of chances to see it!
According to play Director, Gil Yohnka, Death and Taxes is a family-friendly comedy murder mystery that will appeal to all ages.”
Among the cast, Mahomet Public Library Director, John Howard, will play the lead, Eddie King.
“When John auditioned for this show it was obvious, he was the best person to play Eddie King the small-town newspaper editor,” Yohnka shared.
“He has such dry humor and great timing.”
Howard has a bit of a background in theatre, though he never participated in high school he did get involved in an unusual way.
“At my first job as a fund-raiser back in Geneseo, IL, I was visiting the high school drama teacher and asking for a donation,” Howard explained. “He said he would make a pledge if I would agree to audition for the summer show he was directing.”
“I did and got bitten by the acting bug.” Now years and some acting experience later, Howard finds himself the lead in this play.
For about the past month, Howard and the cast have practiced four nights a week doing their best to prepare for the big show.
As Howard exercised the role of Eddie King, he could not help but notice a few similarities between him and his theatrical character.
“Just like Eddie, I sometimes think I am the smartest person in the room. Just like Eddie, I am usually wrong.”
Alongside Howard, you will see Michaela Kruse playing the role of Lydia “the nervous, dim-witted, nerdy secretary.”
Kruse explains how she met Howard two years ago when they each starred in a production of “Witness for the Prosecution.” Since then, Howard has recruited her for “improv murder mystery dinner theatre through the Champaign Urbana Theatre Company.”
Kruse claims that Howard is “one of the kindest, friendliest cast-mates.”
As for Howard’s role in this play, Kruse said “he has created a character that is intentionally antagonistic, nosy, and childish… in all the funniest ways.”
“Based on how many times we make each other laugh during rehearsal, I think this show is really funny,” Howard exclaimed.
If you are in for a night of fun, laughter, and mystery, or even if you just want to see Howard and the cast in action, this show is for you.
The dates and showtimes are November 6th at 7:30 p.m., the 7th at 2:30 p.m., both the 12th and the 13th at 7:30 p.m., and then one last time on the 14th at 2:30 p.m.
The play will be at the Monticello Theatre, which can be found at 1406 N. Market St. in Monticello.
Tickets can be purchased through www.monticellotheatre.org
Other cast members include:
- Karin Vermillion as Mattie Johansen
- David Heckman as Carl Johansen
- Michaela Kruse as Lydia Kleft
- Larry Stephens as Sheriff Wesley Thorne
- Kelly Barbour-Conerty as Mayor Kathleen Lyles
- John Howard as Eddie King
- Jim Cowley as Dr. Efrom Bishop
- Jenna Schwenker as Cora Sedgewick
- Amanda Orwick as Evelyn Martindale
