“SHATTERED ANGEL” by Stephen Wagner
Another famous murder in Herkimer County took the stage September 14-16 and 20-23, 2018 at Ilion Little Theatre. It was like stepping back in history as the courtroom drama unfolded before our eyes, the story of Jean Gianini, a 16 year old boy who was accused of murdering his former schoolteacher Lida Beecher in the village of Poland on the cold night of March 27, 1914. It was one of the first cases that imbecility was used as a defense.
Steve Wagner, who has performed, directed and created plays locally, wrote the script which is based on the court trial transcripts and the book written by Dennis Webster, “Murder of a Herkimer County Teacher” (available for sale in our Gift Shop).
Thank you to Steve and our wonderful cast who brought this story to life! Thanks to Steve putting a video of the play on youtube, you can watch it here by clicking on this link below. Just a note – when you go to the video, it may start in the middle. Just slide the bar back to the beginning to start there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vqjfcOlLRU
Promo Video:
OUR CAST.
We are excited to have such a wonderful Cast and Crew for the play!
Playwright and Director Stephen Wagner
Schoolteacher Lida Beecher Jenna Bunce
Student Jean Gianini Louis Dulak
Prosecuting Attorney Charles Thomas George Lyon
Defense Attorney John F. McIntyre Paul Boehlert
Judge Irving R. Devendorf Dave Stritmater
Friend Ethel Clark Beecher Olivia Wiehenstroeher
Jean’s employer Samuel Hutchinson
Boarding house owner James Countryman Wayne Seifried
Undertaker Arthur Sprague Norm Turner
Gianini Family Friend Frank Newman Curtis Dulak
Deputy Sheriff John Nellis George Malavasik
Father Charles Gianini Steve Kocuba
Mother Sally Gianini Rebecca Mataya
Jean’s employer Sarah Hutchinson Joan Primmar
Psychiatrist Dr. Henry H. Goddard Art Wilks
Psychiatrist Dr. Charles Wagner Jim Mills
Principal Robinson Char Lyon
Jury Foreman Frank Jordan Wayne Siefried
Costume Designers Kim Darling and Cynthia Quackenbush