Cast

Brian Barney (Clifford) made his Reno acting debut in the fall of 2000, playing Detective Sergeant Trotter in Mousetrap for Reno Little Theater, earning a Blythe Award nomination for Best Lead Actor. After performing in ten plays between 2001 and 2002, mostly for Nevada Repertory Company, Brian has balanced his time with just two plays this year. In addition to acting and working full time as a software developer, Brian has written, and is currently directing, a local independent movie. Although he claims not to be superstitious, he points out that this is his thirteenth play in Reno and it has the word death in the title.

John Coney (Porter) has been a pro ice skater, actor, singer, and director during sixty three years of performing. His credits include community theater, radio, and many films and television commercials. In the Reno area, he has performed with Reno Little Theater, Gothic North, Sparks Little Theater, River-front Theatre, and Funtime Theater, including roles in Rehearsal for Murder, The Sunshine Boys, Ten Little Indians, and The Haunting of Hill House. John and his lovely wife Margaret, who met doing musicals in the San Francisco Bay area, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year.

Kristen Davis-Coelho (Myra) first caught the "acting bug" starring in a musical (in her living room) when she was nine. She followed this with the role of Dorothy in her sixth grade production of The Wizard of Oz. And that, as they say, was that—she has been performing and studying theater since. Most recently, Kristen performed the role of Gwendolyn Pigeon in Reno Little Theater's Odd Couple, and the role of Catherine in Proof, for which she earned her third Blythe Award. When she wasn't on stage, Kristen earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and works as a psychologist at Washoe Medical Center.

Editor's Note: Kristen won the 2004 Blythe Award for Best Supporting Actress for this role.

Michael Peters (Sidney), starting his ninth season with Reno Little Theater, made his directorial debut with last season's The Importance of Being Earnest. A four-time Blythe Award recipient, he has appeared in over twenty five productions with such Reno community theater mainstays, in addition to Reno Little Theater, as Nevada Repertory Company, Gothic North Theater, Brüka Theatre, and Area-51 Dance Theatre. During the day, Michael is an administrator in the Graduate School at UNR.

April Axton Ruggiero (Helga) has lived in Truckee for two years, after pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles for sixteen years. She performed in film and television, but she and her husband decided a quieter life would be best. Performing is in her blood—literally, being the daughter of singer, songwriter, actor Hoyt Axton. Memories of performing on the road are amongst her childhood favorites. April's most recent role was as Lady Beaconsfield in Tahoe Arts' Jekyll & Hyde.

Director

Dr. Sam Coleman has helped build sets, work backstage, and/or served as Assistant Director for most of Reno Little Theater's plays in the last three years. He appeared as Merriman in Reno Little Theater's The Importance of Being Earnest. He is a member of Reno Little Theater's Board of Directors. In that role, he has served on committees, trucked props and furniture, cleaned out the basement, installed wiring, and lots of other things necessary to help keep the theater going. This is his directorial debut. Previously, Sam was a scientist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for 25 years before retiring to the beautiful Reno area. When there's nothing to do for the theater, Sam enjoys snowboarding and hiking.

Editor's Note: Sam was awarded the 2004 Blythe Award for Best Play. Sam and Anne Stewart were awarded the 2004 Blythe Award for Best Set.