Beginning on Friday, the theatre department will showcase their newest production, Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. Based on the play written by John Bishop, the play will show will begin on April 23 and conclude its showings on May 1.
Unlike previous productions, the cast is composed of only 10 cast members and four understudies; in comparison, Peter Pan had almost 40 cast members. This sizeable difference “makes rehearsals a lot easier and there?s more time to do individual scene work,” senior Meara O?Malley said.
The show “is much more focused and a lot funnier since we have fewer people to deal with,” assistant director senior Alyssa Tsantes said.
In contrast to previous shows, Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 is “not only a mystery, but also a comedy,” senior Elizabeth Gray said. “It?s been a while since [we have] done a comedic show.”
On a similar note, Tsantes “was attracted to directing this play because of its fun, farcical script.”
“With a script as fun as this one, there are so many more things that you can add to it that make it an even better and more unique show,” Tsantes said. “A really unique thing about [the play] is that it?s a comedic murder mystery.”
Many of the cast members attribute the potential success of the show to its distinctive characteristics. O?Malley is optimistic about the show?s success.
“I think the audience is really going to like the show because it?s so quick, funny and full of crazy characters,” O?Malley said. “A lot of plot twists happen during the show, so the audience will be constantly wondering how the end is going to play out.”
Like O?Malley, senior Mace Smith accredits the play?s success to its unique humor.
“I think it will be successful because of the nature of the comedy in it, the way it doesn?t try to be too soft or family friendly,” Smith said.
Theater teacher Trena Weiss-Null, like O?Malley, is confident that the audience will enjoy the show.
“The play will entertain a broad range of audiences,” she said. “It is witty, quick, and definitely tricky on words.”