Catch the Culprit During Village Players' Production of 'Murder on the Nile'

Local residents are the stars of the latest production from the Birmingham Village Players, Murder on the Nile, opening this Friday.

Based on a similar novel, Death on the Nile, by famed mystery writer Agatha Christie, Murder on the Nile takes theater-goers to the exotic waters of the Nile River where someone has been murdered and it's up to the cast to figure out who's to blame.

"This is a mind-boggling, brain-twisting, thrilling whodunit," said director Tim Wittlinger. "In typical Agatha Christie fashion, Murder on the Nile will keep you on the edge of your seat analyzing all 11 characters, each of whom has a motive for murder."

This isn't the first time directing for Wittlinger, a Birmingham resident and trial attorney with the Birmingham law firm, Clark Hill PLC. Wittlinger also directed the Village Players' production of Lost in Yonkers last season.

"Christie also manages to bring a dose of humor into the production, as we meet the society matron who can't abide anyone beneat her socially, the doctor who continually wants to give everyone an injection, and the steward who is always waiting for the never-arriving tip," Wittlinger added.

Playing one of the leads in Murder on the Nile is Cathie Badalamenti, the founder and president of the Birmingham Village Youth Theatre and 2012 recipient of the Birmingham/Bloomfield Cultural Arts Award.

In Murder on the Nile, however, Badalamenti plays the bitter Jacqueline De Severac, part of a complicated love triangle. Joining her in this triangle is Bloomfield Township resident Sally Savoie as Kay Mostyn and Paul Gillin, a Birmingham resident and 20-year member of St. Dunstan's Theatre, as Simon Mostyn.

Murder on the Nile premieres at the Village Players playhouse on Woodward at 8 p.m. Friday. The show run Jan. 12-13 and Jan. 18-20. All shows are at 8 p.m., except for 2 p.m. matinees on Jan. 13 and Jan. 20.

Tickets are $17 each. There is a $1 processing fee for each ticket order. To purchase tickets, visit the Village Players website or call 248-644-2075.