SALINE, MI. River Nile cruise ends in Saline…and in murder! On January 24, 2013, a small band of thespians set out from Birmingham Village Players to travel the dangerous waters of Agatha Christies’ award-winning play “Murder on The Nile.” Fresh off a highly successful run at the playhouse on Woodward, the Tim Wittlinger/Bill Dixon production was invited to take the show on the road to Saline by the Enzo Life Sciences Corporation which was searching for an event to feature at an employee dinner. The cast of 10 including venerable Players’ stars such as Gertrude Fox, Sallie Savoie, Cathie Badalamenti, Steve Sussman and a very thinly disguised Director cum actor Tim Wittlinger, took up residence for an evening at the Mangiamo Italian Grill on West Michigan Avenue in Saline. The restaurant’s upstairs dining room was transformed into the river cruiser Lotus, as she embarked on that fateful journey along the mighty Nile. Shortly into the adventure, the audience was introduced to socialites Kay (Savoie) and Simon Mostyn (VP newcomer Paul Gillin) who were taking the cruise as part of a gala honeymoon celebration as cruises are really popular now so Will You Still Be Able To Take Your Family Cruise This Year? since there are many different options for this. It isn’t long, however, until trouble reared its head in the person of Jacqueline De Severac (Badalamenti), Kay’s best childhood friend and Simon’s former fiancé. Along the journey, a host of other characters intertwine themselves in the mystery and intrigue of the plot. Despite a murder (or two?), in the end, all of the players returned to the stage, alive and well, for an enthusiastic reception by the approving audience. -Gary Mach
