Off the Square Players present ‘Alibis’
Friday’s weather report calls for rain and “Alibis” director Mary Hubbard Nugent said a “dark and storm night” would be the perfect setting for the opening night of the Off The Square Players’ murder mystery spoof.
“The play if full of all the standard clichés when it comes to murder mysteries,” she said. “We’ve had so much fun putting this together and are looking forward to seeing the audience laugh along with us.”
The play is sponsored by Friends of the East Troy Lions Public Library and by special arrangement with Heuer Publishing LLC as a fundraiser for library programs. This is the fourth annual theatrical fundraiser produced by the Friends.
“This is part of our mission as a community theater group,” Hubbard Nugent said. “We support many different groups in the community and we’re just glad to be able to help out the Friends of the Library. The cast felt very strongly about this, and while they just love to be on stage, this gives them even more motivation when they know they’re supporting something that does so much good in the community.”
“Alibis” was written by Peter Kennedy and tells the tale of famous actress Primavera Donna, who throws a party and winds up dead, according to the Heuer Publishing website. After the murder it’s up to the guests to figure out who and how, and why the hired help is so annoying.
With shades of Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, and Ten Little Indians, the storm outside rages and the body count mounts, the guests must contend with interruptions, shocking revelations, tacky special effects, and the arrival of a mysterious visitor. Both the action and dialogue are fast-paced and the surprising conclusion leaves only one question: Who gets the movie rights?
“We’ve done several murder mysteries over the years and thought it would be fun to do a spoof this time around,” Hubbard Nugent said. “And Ivan’s has created a special drink just for the play, so the audience can really get in the spirit of things.”
The cast includes Judy Atkinson as Dr. Jacqueline Hyde, Pam Jones as Hope Leslie Trite, Tom Jones as Justin, Greg Klas as Sir Tanley A. Fraude, Laura Larson as Monique, Tim Neubeck as Sandy Lynxe, Jody Pogorzelski as Sister Bella Donna, Sheri Watkins as The Stranger, and Tim West as Mr. E.S. Solvedd. Technical assistants are Jenna Watkins and Chuck Dimick. Mary Hubbard Nugent is directing.
“Alibis” performances will be at 7:30 on Oct. 6, 7, 13 and 14, and 2 p.m. on Oct. 15.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the East Troy Lions Public Library or at Ivan’s on the Square. Seating is limited; advance purchases are recommended.
Hubbard Nugent said the Off the Square Players are working on several other projects, including a World War II holiday radio show, collaborating with the high school forensics team, a poetry slam, and a children’s theater program with the Park and Recreation Department.
