The West Virginia Wesleyan College Department of Theatre & Dance presents a murder mystery whodunnit. Three years ago, rising actor Derry Freefall was poisoned onstage during a performance, but her killer was never found. Now, auditions for roles at national theatres are interrupted by a murder most ridiculous, and hysteria reigns as egos are unleashed.
The show, written and directed by Dr. Greg Mach, associate professor, features scripted and improvised segments so no two shows are the same.
“We started doing these dinner theatre mysteries 10 years ago and we have such a blast every time,” Mach said. “The audience has so much fun because they are a part of the action – they have to figure out ‘whodunnit’ or sit back and laugh while other people figure it all out. Either way, it’s two hours of fun, great food and great music.”
Mach explained, “Doing these shows helps our students to learn the ins and outs of improvisational theatre. They never know what the audience will say or will ask them, so they have to figure out how to answer in character and in a way that will help their character get away with it, or implicate another character, or just move the plot along.”
Cast members include Makya Bradshaw as ZaZa, Leigh Rice as Mel, Sadie Huynh as Sam, Kostadena Matina Hartley as KC, Elijah W. Dickey as Ollie, Rhyan Sebring as Juice and WVWC’s Director of the MFA Program Dr. Doug Van Gundy as ChaCha.
Stage Manager and costume director is Hartley assisted by Emme Castellow.
Mach added, “Students learn how to build broad characters and play in a variety of spaces, adjusting the show each time they tour the show to a new venue. The Department of Theatre & Dance makes no profit from the shows but uses them to help local businesses pull in new customers who might not have been to the venue before. It’s a lovely partnership between the College and the local communities.”
Performances:
Nov. 10, 2 p.m. The Lodge in Alpena, Bowden, WV
Menu:
- Strychnine Salad with Fresh Bread
- Petite Cyanide Filet
- VX Mashed Potatoes
- Arsenic Green Beans
- Pineapple and Hemlock Upside Down Cake or Sarin Cheesecake
Price: $50. To make reservations, please call 304-636-1470
Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m., French See Dining Hall at WV Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV
(College Community with ID only)
Menu:
- Hemlock and Pasta Salad
- Strychnine Garlic Bread Sticks
- Lasagna (Beef, Cyanide and Vegetarian)
- Nightshade Sweet Potatoes
- Green Beans Almondine (for nut allergies)
- Tetrodotoxin Cupcakes and Amotoxin Brownies
Price: Free with meal plan, or $11.53 for Wesleyan Community, friends and family. Phone number/email for reservations: 304-473-8037/theatreboxoffice@wvwc.edu
Nov. 15, 6 p.m., The Lunch Box, Elkins, WV
Menu:
- Cyanide Salad Bar
- Deadly Nightshade Baked Steak
- Tetrodotoxin Mashed Potatoes
- Strychnine Green Beans
- Arsenic Cobbler
- Uranium Tea and Soft Drinks
Price: $35. Info and reservations at: (304) 642-6083
Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., Lambert’s Winery, Weston, WV
Menu:
- Fresh Strychnine Salad
- Chardonnay and Mercury Baked Chicken Breast
- Garlic and Cyanide Baby Baked Potatoes
- Tetrodotoxin Green Beans
- Hot Baked Arsenic Artisan Rolls
- Assorted Amatoxins Gourmet Desserts
- Pay bar with Domestic Beer and Six Lambert Wines to choose from
Price: $45. Website for reservations: lambertswinery.com and (304) 269-4903