After directing last season’s smash ‘Game’s Afoot,’ Deschene brings wit, wisdom to ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ in March.
Feature story, photos by Mary Babic
Director J. Deschene makes a point.
Standing in the front of the theater and leaning on the stage, J. Deschene fully embodies the role of director. She’s precise, decisive, calm and creative — fully honoring the words and intent of the playwright while giving the actors room to find their feet and use some creative flair.
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As she pulls together the many actors and details for the upcoming production of Agatha Christie’s “Witness for the Prosecution” at AFDTheatre, it’s a bit puzzling that she hasn’t always been at the helm of the plays in which she’s participated.
In fact, after a teacher convinced her to go onstage, Deschene spent the first 10 years of her theatrical career as an actor and singer. Then she found herself in a production of “Patience,” and compelled to take on the direction. It turned out to be a baptism by fire, as she was suddenly directing so many people acting, singing, dancing, along with musicians.
“It was a hell of a crash course,” she notes. “I was terrified. There was a cast of about 32, and so many things went wrong. But I thought, Now that I’ve done this, nothing else could be this difficult. And I’ve been directing about a show each year since then.”
Kevin Brunton, Brian Lavalle draw rave from director.
Connections between ‘Game’s,’ ‘Witness’
Last season, she came to AFD to direct “Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays,” and she found all the humor bits and beats with a cold precision that hit time after time. The show was a success, both hilarious as well as a fiendishly puzzling murder mystery.
“Witness” contains some of those elements as well. While it’s primarily a courtroom thriller, it’s also a meditation on class, gender, postwar politics, work, marriage — and more. The characters are complex and sometimes baffling, and the twist is a true corker.
Deschene notes that, despite “the wigs and robes galore,” the play is far from a period piece –the story was first published in 1925 and first staged in 1953. “It’s very connected to what we’re going through now; the themes are very relevant.”
Community-theater debut
The play also marks the community-theater debut of a seasoned professional actor, Gary Genard, who plays Sir Wilfrid Robarts. After a career onstage in London and New York City, he moved back to Massachusetts and settled in Arlington, where he owns his own business. He was delighted to see the audition notice for “Witness,” and has been enjoying the experience of volunteer production.
SHOW DETAILS
Arlington Friends of the Drama Theatre, 22 Academy St.
WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION
by Agatha Christie, directed by J. Deschene
PERFORMANCE DATES
Friday, March 1, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 2, 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 3, 3 p.m.
Friday, March 8, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 9, 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 10, 3 p.m.
$20 all performances. Buy tickets here >>
Opening-night champagne reception after the show.
About Deschene, Genard says, “She’s a really talented director, very creative. She gives us things that enrich the scene.”
The language is crucial to the time and place as well, “And she’s very precise about sticking to the script word for word. It’s so particular.”
Still, he notes that “she digs into the text for humor in a lot of places as well.”
As one who knows good theater and good entertainment, Genard encourages audiences to come to this production. “As always,” he says, “You’re in good hands with Agatha Christie. This play is no exception. There are surprises and even shocks — you won’t be disappointed.“
THE CAST
Romaine: Kristen Heider
Sir Wilfrid Robarts: George Middleton
Leonard Vole: Patrick McCormick
Mr. Mayhew: Jesse Martin
Mr. Myers, Q.C.: Brian Lavalle
Mr. Justice Wainwright: Kevin Brunton
Greta: Katie Weatherseed
Carter: Lou Fuoco
Inspector Hearne: Randall Lawrence-Hurt
Janet MacKenzie: Sandy Armstrong
Dr. Wyatt: John Pease
Mr. Clegg: Matthew Lundergan
The Other Woman: Melody Martin
Clerk of the Court: Michael Lin
Plain-Clothes Detective/Policeman: Daniel Kasenberg
Warder: Lucas Commons-Miller
1st Barrister: Joana de Sousa
2nd Barrister :Matthew Slepin
“Witness for the Prosecution” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc.
This news feature was published Monday, Feb. 18, 2019.
