Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to clarify the date of the Cummins-Phipps-Grill House’s construction and ticket price to the event. It has also been updated to confirm that all previous performances of the play in Eden Prairie occurred at this historic house, with its initial premiere occurring there in 2001.
Attention all fans of mysteries!
The play “Reviewed To Death” is returning to Eden Prairie for the first time in 21 years on Oct. 18, with additional performances on Oct. 19 and 25. The Eden Prairie Players and Eden Prairie Historical Society have partnered to stage the production at the Cummins-Phipps-Grill House.
The script was written specifically for the Cummins-Phipps-Grill House. The production, written by Kiernon James, premiered there in fall 2001 and was staged at the Cummins-Phipps-Grill House again in both the fall and spring of 2002 and 2003. It was also staged once in Barrett, Minnesota.
Although the production is sold out for the 2024 season, ticket holders will have many opportunities to interact with cast members.
Jen Cordes, the director of the production for the Eden Prairie Players, had this to say: “The premise of the play is it’s a fundraising gala that is celebrating the grand opening of a restored historic home. And there are well-known local people, famous guests of honor, attending this gala.”
The historic home in the production is the fictional R.J. Collin Historic House in the city of Lawrence. The house is based on the Cummins-Phipps-Grill House, which was constructed between 1879 and 1880.
The events featured in the production, an appreciation dinner and a gala, are both fictional. Both are set in the present day, prior to the mayoral election.
For those who have purchased a $50 ticket to attend, the event will include a dinner catered by Yum! Kitchen and Bakery.
This marks the first time Jen Cordes and this particular cast have been involved with the production. The cast of characters are: Audrey Doyle, the chatty town librarian, portrayed by Shantelia Sauer-Dunn; Charles Douglas Logan, the suave banker, portrayed by Rick Myer; Mayor William Chandley, the bumbling politician, portrayed by David Durkee; Rebecca Cartwright, the sarcastic journalist, portrayed by Ellen Engelson; Edna Wallace, the maid who has a terrible temper, portrayed by Gina Light; and Lynnette Stiles, a mystery author, portrayed by Jacqueline Schluter Johnson. The stage manager is Debbie Bodell.
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