Olney Theatre Center Presents Witness for the Prosecution

Sep 8, 2011
Olney Theatre Center

Everything won't be as it seems when Olney Theatre Center, a 73-year-old professional, award-winning, year-round theater, announces today the opening of Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution.

In this celebrated classic, Leonard Vole seems guilty of the murder of a rich widow, Emily French: after all, he helped her manage her wealth, and stood to gain financially upon her death. But when his wife testifies, not to provide an alibi on his behalf, but against him as a witness for the prosecution, nothing seems assured. Certain letters seem to discredit her testimony, and no one can be sure if she's for or against her husband. Even the plot twist at the end is followed by...another plot twist.

Witness for the Prosecution will be directed by Olney's associate art director, John Going, who has staged over 30 productions at Olney. A four-time Helen Hayes Award nominee, he received the award for Outstanding Direction for his work on The Miser at The Shakespeare Theatre at the Folger, and recently won the Kevin Kline Award for Best Director for I Am My Own Wife at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. He is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and a National Players Alumnus.

"Olney has had a long and fruitful association with the theatrical potential of Agatha Christie stories adapted for the stage. Audiences have been continually delighted by them. Several seasons ago, we celebrated that history with a revival of The Mousetrap, which turned out to be a popular and critical success." said Olney Theatre Center's Artistic Director Jim Petosa. "That made us ask the question, 'what is the best Christie available for production?' The answer we shared was Witness for the Prosecution. We are pleased to present that play in a new production for our audiences."

Widely praised by critics during its long run in London and on Broadway, Witness for the Prosecution will leave audiences wondering what to believe - or who. Olney Theatre Center's production will transport audiences to Agatha Christie's world of rich widows, failed inventors, brilliant barristers and the human drama and mystery just below the surface of English nobility. 

Witness for the Prosecution plays on the Olney Theatre Center Mainstage Wednesday, September 28 to Sunday, October 23. Tickets are $26 to $54, with discounts available to groups, seniors, military, and students. Call the Box Office at 301.924.3400 or visit olneytheatre.org for tickets and information.