Andrews – Somebody murdered Artemus Ward, and the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center invites the public to help solve the mystery. Welcome to Murder on the Menu, a theatre-in-the-round performance by Act 2 productions written by Bill Hand.
Despite joking, “I was pushed into it,” director Cory Cheeks is excited to share the dinner theatre play with the public. In addition to a fancy dinner, the audience gets to interact with the players.
“There is plenty of audience participation,” Cheeks said.
Veteran local actress Lady Leah Wood, playing Alexis Ward-Regent-Middlefield-Abernathy-Gillicuddy-Boskowicz, said the play has no leads.
“It’s a chorus production,” she said. But the entire cast doesn’t share her stage experience.
Cast member Melissa Haskill said, “I was just hanging out having some beers one night at the Tattered Tartan, and it sounded like fun.” Haskill’s performance will mark her debut on the Valleytown stage.
Because the play will run at the celebrated building, Cheek said he ran into some limitations.
“It’s been a challenge working within the confines of an historical building,” he said.
Some restrictions include no curtain or attached set pieces.
“I love to see what I can get away with,” Cheeks said with a laugh.
Proceeds from the sales go directly to the building itself, including air-conditioning updates and a new paint job. Tom Vogler and Michele Howe will display their original artwork at 5 p.m. before each dinner and performance, which begins at 6 pm. Friday and Saturday, June 3-4.
The $50 tickets are limited to 100 per night. For details, call 361-2781.