Church players take on murder with 'And Then There Were None'

I'm impressed with the First Congregational Church of Huntley.

I often get e-mails from the church about dramatic and musical productions the church is staging throughout the year.

I wrote a column a few months ago about the church's "Jesus Christ Superstar" tribute on Maundy Thursday.

In the column, I noted my admiration for churches that tackle the controversial rock opera.

Next month, the First Congregational Church will move from a bold retelling of the Gospel to a murder mystery.

The church's FCC Players will present Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None," a stage adaptation of Christie's 1939 novel.

In the play, 10 people trapped on an island are killed, "Se7en"-style, according to different verses of the nursery rhyme "Ten Little Indians."

As an interesting and unfortunate historical side note, the original title of the novel used an offensive term for blacks, later changed to "Ten Little Indians" in subsequent editions.

The FCC Players' version will be a dinner theater performance in two acts.

The production is directed by Sheri Storer of Huntley and features a cast hailing from Elgin, Crystal Lake, Huntley, Lake in the Hills and Woodstock.

To buy a $15 ticket to the show, call the church at (847) 669-3691. Reservations are recommended, as tickets may sell out.

The shows will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 2 and 3 in the church's Fellowship Hall. The downtown Huntley church is at Main and Church streets.

Efforts to help girl continue: Over the past few months, I have been amazed at how the Huntley community has stepped up to help out a local family that could use a lot of it right now.

Two-year-old Teagan Haniszewski was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in May. She has undergone a number of procedures since her diagnosis and is being treated at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

For almost six months, the community has worked to help Teagan's parents lessen the financial burden of treating Teagan's condition.

During the summer, Huntley Trustee Pam Fender hosted the Princess Teagan Tea Party, and fellow Trustee Niko Kanakaris hosted a spaghetti dinner -- both fundraisers for Teagan.

Now Barrington is stepping up to the plate with its own fundraiser, Picnic for a Princess.

Teagan's father, Bryant Haniszewski, is a South Barrington police officer.

Picnic for a Princess will be from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Barrington Jewel-Osco, 150 E. Main St.

There will be plenty of picnic favorites like hot dogs, grilled brats, nachos, chips, popcorn and pop.

There will also be kids' games and princess tiaras for sale in honor of Teagan.

All donations will be given to Teagan's family. Contributions can also be made to the Princess Teagan fund at any Harris Bank.