Towle Institute performs 'Murder Takes the Veil' in Delaware City

By Rebecca Henely
Staff Reporter
rebecca@middletowntranscript.com

            The latest offering from the Towle Institute’s drama program will be a bit different. First, because of the March ceiling collapse at the Everett Theatre, the Towle Institute will be performing at the Delaware City Community Library Theatre instead of its traditional venue. Second, unlike most of the previous shows, this latest production will not be a musical or comedy.
            “The kids all said, ‘Mrs. Shields, we want to do a murder mystery,’ ” said Cheryl Shields, director of the show.
            And with that, Shileds chose the play “Murder Takes the Veil” by Margaret Ann Hubbard and revolves around mysterious killings at St. Aurelien’s Girls College, a school/convent in the bayous of New Orleans.
            “It’s a good cloak-and-dagger,” Shields said.
            In an effort to keep up with the changing times, St. Aurelien’s, run by Mother Theodore (played by Jennifer Cunliffe) and three other nuns (played by Jennifer Owens, Alli Silver and Brittany Robinette of Middletown) have hired three male professors, the first time in the school this has ever been done.
            A student, Trillium Pierce (played by Cassie Sweetra), soon becomes suspicious when she finds an article belonging to one of the new teachers, writer Crispen Archer (played by David Cunliffe), athletic instructor Franz Eric (played by Ryan Solinda) and art teacher Mr. Torvaldson (played by Shae Shell), which once belonged to her murdered father. She immediately suspects one of them is his murderer.
            “But she doesn’t know who this man is,” Shields said. “She’s never seen him.”
            Trillium’s suspicions are heightened when her friend, Helen Perry (played by Julianne Smith), is murdered while wearing one of Trillium’s costumes for a school play. From there, things only get more suspenseful.
            “It’s going to be fun,” Shields said.
            The Towle Institute is a foundation for home-schooled children based in the Hockessin area. Shields has worked with its drama group, made of high school and junior high school students for 10 years and the group has used the Everett for 12 years. Their past productions have included “Get Smart,” “M.A.S.H.,” “Coconut Capers,” “The Beverley Hillbillies” and “Robin Hood.”
            The current cast contains 18 student actors and five students behind the scenes, quite a few of whom come from the Middletown/Bear area.
            “The kids are having a really fun time with it,” Shields said.
            To go with the New Orleans setting, the Fuzzy Dice Band, a band made up of teachers and parents from the Towle Institute, will play 1950s and jazz favorites.
            She said the play is suspenseful, but is not violent and is appropriate for all ages. It has three acts and runs about two hours with an intermission.
            The Delaware City Community Library Theatre is located on 250 Fifth St. in Delaware City.
            Show times are May 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17.
            Tickets are for adults are $8 if ordered in advance and $10 at the door. Tickets for children 12 and younger cost $6.
            To order tickets or for more information, call (302) 602-1638.