2008 Woodie Awards
Sherlock Holmes Never had this kind of Trouble
Lakeland's fall play will ask audience, 'who dunnit?'
Johanna Schwenzig
Issue date: 11/20/03 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Tonight in the Bradley there will be a murder, and the only thing on everyone's mind will be "who done it?" Could it have been a woman from Ravenscroft Manor? Or was it supernatural? Inspector Ruffing is the man who needs to sort through all the lies to figure out the truth.
Patrick Roarke has been killed and found at the bottom of the steps with his neck broken. As the lights come up we see Marcy and the Inspector talking. When the inspector interrogates the rest of the house's inhabitants, it is clear that some or all of them are lying to him. His job is to find out the truth, but with five women against him it is a daunting task.
One person can't make up her mind about which story she wants to tell to the inspector, another has a dislike for someone else, and another just doesn't seem smart enough to give a clear answer to any question thrown at her. The only way to find out all the answers is to do the investigating yourself.
The fall play, "Ravenscroft," is a murder mystery/comedy that keeps everyone guessing. Could it have been Mrs. Ravenscroft played by Kara Dedering or Gillian Ravenscroft played by Jessica Larson? Perhaps it was Marcy Kleiner played by Anna Semenova. Or it could have been either Ellen French played by Darlene Baumgartner or Dolly played by Johanna Schwenzig. Ruffing, played by Michael Kaczmarek, is the man who needs to find the answer.
"The fun of a murder mystery for an audience is the challenge of trying to figure out who the murderer is and, after figuring out who really did it, going back and seeing how the clues fit together," said Professor of Theatre and Speech James Crawford.
Auditions were held in September. Between 15 and 20 women and two men turned up, all wanting parts.
"Sometimes I have people in mind, but sometimes I don't. Like I would never had done 'The Venetian Twins' if Jesse Spearo hadn't been available, but for this play I had no idea," said Crawford.
Rehearsals were held three nights a week. "The interesting part about rehearsals is getting to know a whole new cast and working with them," commented Crawford.
Patrick Roarke has been killed and found at the bottom of the steps with his neck broken. As the lights come up we see Marcy and the Inspector talking. When the inspector interrogates the rest of the house's inhabitants, it is clear that some or all of them are lying to him. His job is to find out the truth, but with five women against him it is a daunting task.
One person can't make up her mind about which story she wants to tell to the inspector, another has a dislike for someone else, and another just doesn't seem smart enough to give a clear answer to any question thrown at her. The only way to find out all the answers is to do the investigating yourself.
The fall play, "Ravenscroft," is a murder mystery/comedy that keeps everyone guessing. Could it have been Mrs. Ravenscroft played by Kara Dedering or Gillian Ravenscroft played by Jessica Larson? Perhaps it was Marcy Kleiner played by Anna Semenova. Or it could have been either Ellen French played by Darlene Baumgartner or Dolly played by Johanna Schwenzig. Ruffing, played by Michael Kaczmarek, is the man who needs to find the answer.
"The fun of a murder mystery for an audience is the challenge of trying to figure out who the murderer is and, after figuring out who really did it, going back and seeing how the clues fit together," said Professor of Theatre and Speech James Crawford.
Auditions were held in September. Between 15 and 20 women and two men turned up, all wanting parts.
"Sometimes I have people in mind, but sometimes I don't. Like I would never had done 'The Venetian Twins' if Jesse Spearo hadn't been available, but for this play I had no idea," said Crawford.
Rehearsals were held three nights a week. "The interesting part about rehearsals is getting to know a whole new cast and working with them," commented Crawford.