top of page
A Killer Party
Directed and Music Directed by Jack-Anthony Ina
Streamed June 26 - July 4 of 2021
When Varthur McArthur, the artistic director of a failing theater in Duluth, invites his troupe of disgruntled actors and collaborators to the first read of an "immersive murder mystery dinner party," no one knew that he would be the victim. Or did they? Enter the eager, determined, and untested Detective Case. After sequestering the guests into separate rooms (because, you know, social-distancing), she gets down to finding out whodunnit, uncovering secret affairs, life-long grudges, backstage drama, and a lot of musical theater song and dance. Sifting through lies and red herrings and a truly baffling murder mystery script left by the deceased, Case vows to find the truth and secure her future as a great detective.
Cast and Crew
Hannah Duncan (Choreographer/Lily Wright) - Hannah is so glad to be a part of this production both on and off screen. She is a recent high school graduate who will be attending Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University to earn her BFA in musical theatre with a dance concentration. She was recently awarded the National School Choral Award upon graduation and has received numerous awards for her skills in dance and choreography. Most recently she’s performed as Effy in The Spitfire Grill and Amy in Little Women. She would like to thank her parents, Amanda Bender, and her best friend Amir for all of their love and support. @hannahmduncan_
Amanda Bender (Varthur McArthur) - Amanda is so grateful to be able to stretch those creative muscles again after a long 2020. She is a Cleveland-based actor and has performed at theatres across the North East Ohio area. Amanda would like to thank the cast & creative team for making this unique, covid-safe, theatrical experience so much fun! She would also like to thank her family and friends for their support. “Special shout out to my mom, & neighbor/roommates Hannah & Brian for their unwavering support, love & encouragement from day one. I love you 3, you’re my rocks!” @amandanicole328
Jordan Popovsky (Justine Case) - Jordan is thrilled to be playing the part of Justine in A Killer Party! She is very grateful to have the opportunity to still be doing theatre even during our current global climate. Jordan most recently performed as Shelby in The Spitfire Grill, Maria in The Sound of Music, Mary Sunshine in Chicago, and Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. She is currently on a gap year after graduating from Orange High School, and she spends her time working her hostessing job, attending rehearsals, and traveling. She will be attending The Ohio State University next year to major in honors animal science and vocal performance.
Samuel Roter (Cameron Mitchelljohn) - Samuel is ecstatic to be part of this production of A Killer Party. He recently graduated from Beachwood High School and will be pursuing a BA in theatre and a BS in chemistry at Muhlenberg College starting this fall. Some of his favorite credits include: Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest, Banquo in Macbeth, and Mark in A Chorus Line. Samuel would like to thank everybody involved for all their hard work and dedication. rotersamuel.wixsite.com/samuelroter
Amir Smith (Clark Staples) - Amir is very excited to be a part of his first virtual production and is very happy to be playing Clark. Some of his favorite roles include: Joe Sutter in The Spitfire Grill, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family, Richard in A New Brain, and Fredrick Fellowes in Noises Off. Other credits include: Marcellus Washburn in The Music Man, Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Horton in Seussical. Amir is currently in rehearsals for the Ohio Premiere of The Lightning Thief as Percy Jackson. In free time, Amir loves to spend time with friends and watching movies on Netflix on Hulu. Congratulations to everyone in the show and shout out to Hannah Duncan!
Roxanne Popovsky (Joan McArthur) - Roxanne is a recent graduate from The Academy for the Performing Arts in Chagrin Falls. She will move to Philadelphia in September to attend Drexel University. There, she will major in Arts and Entertainment Management while on scholarship with the theatre company. Roxanne has been seen at various theaters across northeast Ohio. Recently, she performed in The Spitfire Grill and Little Women with Helen Todd Voice Studio. Roxanne is extremely excited to finally be bringing theatre back to northeast Ohio.
Rachael Armbruster (Shea Cresendo) - Rachael is thrilled to be involved in A Killer Party with Geauga Center for the Arts. A recent graduate of Kent State University’s BFA Musical Theater program, Rachael was recently seen as the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sr. Mary Martin of Tours in Sister Act and Amy Star in the world premier of Any Resemblance. She would like to thank the cast and crew for their hard work. Enjoy the show!
Ryan Ciriaco (Jeremy Jordan) - Ryan is just excited to be performing again after the 2020 we all had. A Los Angeles native, aside from an Ensemble role in The Rocky Horror Show (2003), Ryan ironically didn’t really start performing until he moved to Northeast Ohio 6 years ago. After 14 years off, Ryan was cast as Corny Collins in Hairspray at the Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, OH. In 2020, he played Joe in the short play Judgment Call. Ryan is slated to play Charlie Price in Weathervane’s production of Kinky Boots. He wants to thank his family and friends for their unwavering support. “Special thanks to my wife, Samantha and my kids Charlotte (4) and Sebastian (3) for letting me play and be creative! I love you!” @ryanciriaco
Emmie Ferguson (Vivika Orsonwelles) - Emmie is thrilled to be a part of A Killer Party. She is a rising sophomore at Ohio University working towards a B.F.A. in Musical Theater. She is also a member of the Honors Program at OU. Emmie is a Chagrin Falls native and 2020 CFHS grad. During high school, Emmie attended Cherubs at Northwestern University and the Academy for the Performing Arts. Her last role before quarantine was Amalia Balash in She Loves Me at the Academy for the Performing Arts. Some of her other favorite roles include the Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods, Marian Paroo in The Music Man, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, and Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Emmie loves to read, watch Netflix, and paddleboard in her free time. Thank you so much to the amazing cast and crew for coming together to put some magic back in our lives. We have missed theatre dearly and appreciate your vision!
Zach Palumbo (George Murderer) - Zach Palumbo is a Cleveland-based actor, musician, and software engineer. He has performed around Northeast Ohio with Karamu House, Cleveland Public Theatre, Blank Canvas Theatre, none too fragile, convergence-continuum, Dobama Theatre, Rubber City Theatre, Near West Theatre, French Creek Theatre, Cassidy Theatre, Western Reserve Playhouse, the BorderLight International Theatre Festival, and now Geauga Center for the Arts. He is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University '17, where he played piano for IMPROVment as well as performing with the Department of Theatre, the CWRU Footlighters, and Players' Theatre Group. zach.palumbo.io
Lisa Georges (Detective Case) - Lisa Georges is delighted to be part of A Killer Party cast. Favorite roles: Cumie Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde and Bride Ancestor in The Addams Family, the Musical with Aurora Community Theater; Mrs. Phelps in Matilda, Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast and Grace Farrell in Annie with Beachwood Community Theater; Lady Merrell/Nightingale in Once Upon a Mattress with Gates Mills Players. She has performed at Chagrin Valley Little Theater, Western Reserve Playhouse, and Twinsburg Community Theater, and performs with the Blossom Festival Chorus and the Cleveland Orchestra. Bravo to all involved in the show.
Christian Andrews (Assistant Director/911 Operator/Carl) - Christian is beyond happy to be working alongside Jack again on the first production in association with Geauga Center for the Arts, A Killer Party. Christian is a Cleveland based performer and aspiring director, with many other disciplines in theatre. He is studying theatrical production at Kent State University and has directed four shows in his short time there, and produced a musical he wrote titled Louder Than Words. He wants to extend a special thanks to Jack and the rest of the production staff for getting us artists back to work in such an uncertain time. Recent Credits: Newsies (Production Stage Manager), Secrets: A Spy Musical (Performer), Gosforth’s Fete (Assistant Director), He’s Lost His Marbles (Production Stage Manager) Upcoming Credits: Louder Than Words (Director), Life Song (Assistant Artistic Director) christianandrews.me @christianabandrews
Jack-Anthony Ina (Director/Music Director/Production Designer) - Jack is thrilled to be directing the inaugural production of the new Geauga Center for the Arts! He is a director, designer, and stage manager with over 150 credits throughout Northeast Ohio and New York City. Jack is a proud graduate of Baldwin Wallace University. Recent Credits: Kinky Boots (Production Stage Manager), Secrets @54 Below (Director), Newsies (Director/Music Director), The Scottsboro Boys (Production Stage Manager), Memphis (Lighting Designer), He’s Lost His Marbles (Director) Upcoming Credits: Amelie (Production Stage Manager), Kinky Boots (Lighting Designer), Life Song (Artistic Director) @jackanthonyina
Logan Chapman (Stage Manager/Assistant Music Director) - Logan Chapman is very excited to be a part of this wonderful production with this amazing cast! He got his start in theater at Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, where he has participated in many productions; such as Ronald Dahl's Willy Wonka (The Candy Man), and A Christmas Carol: the Musical (Fred Anderson). He has also worked backstage many times in many different positions; such as spot operator, fly operator, light board operator, set mover, and Assistant Stage Manager. He went to Firestone CLC in Akron, where he was in all possible choirs and several stage productions. He has also played trombone since the 5th grade, and was in Firestone's Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and Marching Band. He also participated in the Contemporary Youth Orchestra out of Cleveland. After graduating high school, Logan is looking forward to continuing his education at Cleveland State University with a major in Theatre and a minor in music.
bottom of page