The Park Theatre, 19 Main St. in Jaffrey, will present the stage production of “Deep Water–The Murder of William K. Dean, Saturday, Aug. 12, at 7:30 p.m.
In August of 1918, William K. Dean was murdered at his hilltop home in Jaffrey. Was the murderer his wife in the early stages of dementia? Was it his best friend, a powerfully connected banker? Or was it a mysterious stranger who had lived on Dean’s property and was considered by some to be a German spy?
“Deep Water–The Murder of William K. Dean” features author Ken Sheldon in a one-man, multimedia performance that includes hundreds of historical images, video footage and voiceover actors portraying the witnesses and investigators of the crime. The production is based on transcripts of federal and state investigations, the grand jury report, FBI interviews, newspaper accounts and other historic documents.
Sheldon is a former columnist for Yankee Magazine and perhaps best known for his appearances as Yankee humorist Fred Marple. In “Deep Water,” he plays Bert Ford, a reporter for the Boston American newspaper who covered the Dean murder and acts as narrator for the multimedia production. Following the performance, Sheldon will take part in a talkback during which he will answer questions about the Dean murder, discuss the writing of the play and sign copies of his book based on the murder.
The Jaffrey Historical Society commissioned Deep Water through a grant from the Bean Family Foundation. Tickets are $15, available at the box office at 603-532-8888 and online at theparktheatre.org. The Lounge Bar at the theater will be open with live music at 5:30 p.m. until curtain.