The Larimer Arts Center, in downtown Palatka, Florida, hosts River City Player's Scarlett-Hill Theater - an intimate venue with a capacity of 71 patrons making it unique and a true live theater experience.
The Mousetrap
Hotel guests, hosts and employees face murder and suspicion in an isolated, snowed-in house in this most quintessential whodunnit from the master of British mystery.
The Cast
Christopher Doody
as Detective Trotter
Christopher Doody was last seen on the stage of the Scarlett-Hill Theater as Timothy Cratchit in Ebenezer: A Christmas Play. Other performances include Paul Bratter in Barefoot in the Park and Jim Fitzgerald in Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some). This past year, Chris has portrayed multiple roles at the Island Theater including Malvolio (Twelfth Night), Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice), Cogsworth (Beauty & the Beast), and Bernard (Boeing Boeing). Other noteworthy credits include Chuck Baxter (Promises, Promises) at the Orange Park Community Theatre and Billy Bibbit (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) at Flagler Playhouse.
Courtney Johnson
as Mollie
Courtney is excited to return to the River City Players’ stage for the production of The Mousetrap. She loved performing in the recent production of The Cemetery Club and looks forward to exploring another genre of theater. She would like to thank her husband, Tommy, and her girls, Teagan and Casely, for their encouragement and support. Most of all, she would love to thank every student who has ever been in her class for always participating in “acted out” read alouds and for making her smile and laugh every day.
Stephen Lowe
as Giles
Stephen is excited to be back on stage after a few year's hiatus. He is thrilled to be in his first show with River City Players! Some of his favorite roles while at Orange Park Community Theatre includes Little Shop of Horrors as The Dentist, and as John Smith in the fun farce Run For Your Wife! Mr. Bucket was another favorite role from the musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Stephen would like to thank Amy and Sara for this opportunity, as well as the cast and crew for all of their hard work in bringing this classic to life!
Kristopher Olinsky
as Christopher Wren
Kristopher has appeared in a couple productions with River City Players and is tremendously excited to take to the stage once more as Christopher Wren. After his performances in The Glass Menagerie and Gilligan's Island, he has found the company to be the perfect place to grow as an actor. Kristopher would like to thank his wonderful girlfriend and roommate for putting up with his half-baked British accent for months and of course the rest of the cast for creating such a beautiful stage dynamic that he hasn't seen in a while. Kris is so excited to be on stage one more time before he directs Flaming Idiots at River City Players this Spring!! Enjoy this totally gay man rock!
Charlie Mack
as Mr. Paravacini
This is Charlie Mack’s first show at river city players as Mr Paravichini in The Mousetrap. Charlie Mack was born and raised in Palatka Florida and has graduated from Palatka High School where he first began theater under the direction of Jim Pignato. He then went on to Florida School of the Arts to continue learning more skills and improving his acting.
Lillyana Michael
as Miss Casewell
Lillyana is excited to be joining the River City Players this year for The Mousetrap. It's been a year since she’s done anything on stage. She’s performed in dinner shows such as Murder At The Pie Auction, and on stage for Disorder In The Court for Crescent City's Purple Plum Playhouse. This is a big opportunity for her and she’s so glad she took it!
Marty Fillman
as Major Metcalf
Marty is a familiar face at the Larimer having been in numerous productions. His acting career began with the Limelight Theatre in St Augustine. After taking an acting course there, he was asked to fill a needed role in an upcoming play. He has also performed with the Flagler Playhouse. He hopes you enjoy The Mousetrap. He says that this is one of the most talented casts he has worked with.
VaRonica Spangler
as Mrs. Boyle
Since moving to Palatka, VaRonica had the pleasure of becoming an active member of the community, particularly with the River City Players. Her journey here began with her role as the Nurse in Ebenezer, and, most recently, she portrayed the Mother in The Glass Menagerie. Beyond acting, she’s also assisted with various behindthe-scenes tasks that keep the theater running smoothly. Her passion for the stage began in 11th grade when her mom suggested it as a way to keep her out of trouble—and she’s been “acting up” ever since!
The Crew
Amy Cornwell
Executive Director
Amy is thrilled to make her directorial debut in this production of The Mousetrap, and is even more delighted that it is alongside her dear friend, Sara Story. She has acted for 8 years in various community theaters and recently became very involved with the River City Players. She has stagemanaged RCP’s last two productions, Gilligan’s Island and The Cemetery Club, and is excited to continue volunteering with this group in the future. She would like to thank the cast and crew for their dedication to making this production spectacular!
Sara Story
Artistic Director
Sara has been an active volunteer with RCP since her community theatre debut in Francine's Will. She has acted in various productions at local theaters, but this is her first time in the director's chair. Sara is glad to be taking on this new challenge with her partner-in-crime (solving), Amy Cornwell. She would like to thank Kevin and Gaye for their unending support and for trusting her with this project. For more personal information, write to her mother.
Cynthia Gill
Stage Manager
Cyndi was peer pressured into volunteering as a stagehand for RCPs production of Gilligan's Island by a dear friend and her spark for theater was reignited. She is thrilled to be a stage manager for the 1st time since high school where she participated in every production. Cyndi is active in the local community and is looking forward to many more productions with all her new friends the River City Players.
Garrett McDaniel
Assistant Stage Manager
Garrett, a lifelong resident of Palatka, is excited to be a part of River City Player's production of The Mousetrap. Garrett enjoys traveling, finding new and unusual cuisine, and yoga. At home Garrett is a servant to his 2 cats Sasha and Bud-Bud.
Andrew Walwik
Lighting & Sound
Andrew Walwik is a lighting and sound technician who loves theater. He last worked with RCP as the Lighting & Sound Tech for Gilligan’s Island last Summer. He has been working in this field for three years, making sure that shows look and sound great. His passion for theater drives him to do his best work on every production. Andrew is currently a 9th grader at Q.I. Roberts Jr. - Sr. High School.
Gaye Esperson
Production Manager
Gaye originally got involved with River City Players when she encouraged her life partner, Kevin Sharbaugh to audition for a part back in 2016. She had no idea how passionate he would become for the theater and realized that she would have to be involved as well if she was ever going to see him! Since she has as background in both computers and some graphic design, she is involved with the web site, the ticket site and the printed graphics, all with a lot of help from others. She is so pleased at how everyone is working so hard and well on this production – it’s been a pleasure to work with everyone!