Killer of a show
Community Theatre of Emporia opens season with murder mystery
By Brandy Nance
Friday, October 13, 2006
Despite the name, the Community of Emporia’s newest production “Slaughterhouse” isn’t something out of a Freddy Krueger movie.
“Slaughterhouse” is a classic English murder mystery, complete with billowing fog and a growing list of victims. In the story, horror film star Romney Marsh has begun to get threatening messages in the mail while in production for a new play. Using a rehearsal as an excuse, he invites the most likely suspects to his home “Usher,” which he has made into a kind of house of horror straight out of a scary movie.
Then people start dying. And dying. A murderer is on the loose and the characters have to figure out who did it.
“Each person thinks they have it figured out,” said Susie LeGault, who plays Lynda, a costume and set designer.
Director Scott Rochat said this play is fun and a bit out there.
“It’s a lot of fun because some of the times it’s so terribly over the top,” Rochat said. “With something like this you have to be a little over the top.”
“Slaughterhouse” has a cast of 10, each character with their own personality and little quirks. Penni Hansen plays Edith.
“Edith is a woman who is an assistant to a mega-movie star, a mega-horror movie star,” Hansen said. “She’s a very rigid woman. She hardly ever cracks a smile.”
Hansen said “Slaughterhouse” is a typical “who done it.”
“In this case, more than one person is killed,” she said. “And everyone is trying to solve who did it and it’s my character who gets the final revenge.”
Tonya Starr plays Stella Bakewell, an up and coming actress in her 20s.
“She hasn’t done much as far as Hollywood movies and stuff and gets the opportunity to do a play with a well-known British actor,” Starr said.
Starr said “Slaughterhouse” follows the genre of a murder mystery.
“But there are no police,” Starr said. “There are no detectives. It’s the people who are stuck there that have to figure it out. There are several of us who figure out pieces of it.”
Rochat said he would rate “Slaughterhouse” PG-13.
“There is some slightly mature subject matter,” he said. “I think most of the audience should have a really good time.”
About “Slaughterhouse”
When: Oct. 26-29
Times: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26-28; 2 p.m. Oct. 29
Where: Emporia Arts Council, 618 Mechanic St.Tickets: $7 adults; $6 seniors; $5 students
Tickets can be reserved by calling: 341-9283Cast list:
- Edith Cartwright, played by Penni Hansen
- Douglas Dekker, played by Jim Tefelski
- Caroline Clavers, played by Andrea Turner
- Bradford Kyle, played by Jaryl Perkins
- Freddy Bostock, played by Jamie Maike
- Lynda Molloy, played by Susie LeGault
- Tanya Mason, played by Mary Sue Wade
- Harriet Bales, played by Dixie Moon
- Stella Bakewell, played by Tonya Starr
- Romney Marsh, played by Scott Rochat