New troupe to present mystery thriller at Willow Leaves

Some murder mysteries are known as whodunits. The thriller “Angel Street” instead could be labeled howtheydunit.

Because early in the Passion For Acting Theatre Company dinner production, opening Feb. 1 at Willow Leaves of Hope, a detective pronounces his idea of who did a killing highlighted from 15 years earlier. What he asks the audience to understand is how the killer did it — and how he can prove it.

Plenty of twists and turns ensue in the two-hour presentation that was first produced under the title “Gaslight.”

Director Connie Kiviniemi-Baylor, who last directed “The Miracle Worker” at Willow Leaves in August, likes the latest show’s change of pace. That’s because much of her local acting has been in comedies, which have been hugely successful in Hope with numerous sellouts over the past five years.

“I’d like to bring some different styles to Willow Leaves,” she said, adding that she always was a fan of older television shows such as “Murder, She Wrote.”

“And I’ve always wanted to do a mystery thriller, and this one hit the spot,” the director added.

Kiviniemi-Baylor hopes to do two shows annually with the new Passion For Acting Theatre Company she recently launched. She figures there should be ample room for another drama entity to complement Actors Studio of Hope that has presented most other dinner shows at Willow Leaves.

“There’s an awful lot of talent in Columbus and Hope,” she said. “And live theater is definitely alive and well.”

So much so that one of her “The Miracle Worker” shows sold out in the 95-seat Willow Leaves space, and two others came close.

In the latest production, audience members will have plenty of possibilities to ponder while considering the evil central character of Mr. Manningham. He’s a well-to-do, cruel sort slowly driving his gentle, devoted wife, Bella, to the brink of insanity with a kind of psychological torture.

The director acknowledged some chills in the production, but she assured that there is nothing to cause diners to toss their drinks in terror. Kathryn Baylor, Kiviniemi-Baylor’s daughter, plays a maid in the drama, and is certain that audiences will find a solid and comforting takeaway amid the whacked leading role.

And she summarized that wisdom simply.

“There always are good people who will help others when bad things are happening,” Baylor said.

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What: Passion For Acting Theatre Company’s presentation of the mystery thriller "Angel Street." The Samuel French play tells the story of the Manninghams, who live on Angel Street in 19th century London. As the curtain rises, all appears to be the essence of Victorian tranquility. It is soon apparent, however, that Mr. Manningham, a suavely handsome man, is slowly driving his gentle, devoted wife, Bella, to the brink of insanity with an insinuating kindness that masks more sinister motives.

When: 6 p.m. Feb. 1-2 and 8-9. And 1 p.m. Feb. 3 and 10.

Where: Willow Leaves of Hope, 326 Jackson St. in Hope.

Cost for dinner and play: $26. Reservations at 812-546-0640.

Information: Facebook page for Passion For Acting Theatre Company.

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