A Hollywood actress, Monica Welles, well known for fluff roles, walks away from films and is given an opportunity to act in a Broadway play, written by the man she eventually comes to love. Unfortunately, after the opening night party, Monica commits suicide by jumping form her high rise apartment building. Or does she? Her financier, Alex Dennison, doesn’t believe it. In fact, Alex believes that one of five people associated with the production is a murderer. Motives include rejected advances, insurance money, trying to save a relationship, and stardom. Alex confronts all in a plot twist that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats as the real murderer is found and cleverly revealed. The murder mystery is Rehearsal for Murder adapted by D.D. Brooke from the teleplay by Richard Levinson & William Link and will run at the Wieting Theatre, July 7,8, and 9 at 7:30 p.m.

To bring this mystery to life, a talented cast and crew is important and this show has the talent to bring the community a quality production. The cast includes: Tyler Moran, Kathy Holtz, Riley Grimes, Darcy Lamb, Kate Gettle, Jon Huebner, Dixie Forcht, Julie Matta, Ron Houghton, Jonah Houghton, Charlie Betz, Jean Bolen, and Dan Quigley. Ellen Moran is the Technical Director for this production. Taylor Moran is Stage Manager with Kate Gettle as Assistant Director and assistant Stage Manager. Other crew members are Jeff Shaw, construction; Alex Babinat, lights; Alex Carrera, spot light; Hanah Novotny, sound; Janet Busch and Maddie Cole, props. Michelle Evans is our costumer this summer; she is new to the theater, but not to a sewing machine. Her costume crew members are Elias Gopar and Charlie McFatridge. Chris McFate steps in as House Manager. Jill Apfel, April Van Dee, and Jordan Van Dee are in charge of make-up. The publicity crew consists of Michelle Evans, Dixie Forcht, Mary Jo Cherveny, Daryn Cherveny, and Mary Fasse-Shaw. The show is directed by Mary Fasse-Shaw

Working so closely together, cast and crew members become like a family; however, there are several people who are actually related and make it an actual family affair. The lead and lighting designer, Tyler Moran, is joined in this production by his mother, Ellen, the Technical Director, and his twin brother, Taylor, the Stage Manager and lighting mentor. Ron and Jonah Houghton, father and son, act together on stage. Make-up and Hair crew are Aunt Jill Apfel with niece April Van Dee and great niece Jordan Van Dee. Blood relatives all. However, by the end of any run the cast and crew all feel as if they are related.

The cast and crew have been working very hard. Lines and blocking are being learned. Props are being found. Light and sound cues are being added and integrated every night. Costumes are being found and measured. Make-up is being planned and plotted. We will be ready for an audience on opening night. Everyone associated with the play wishes to thank the Wieting Theater Guild for their support in this endeavor.

Tickets are $12.00 for adults and $8.00 for students. Advanced tickets can be purchased the two weekends before the show from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. before the movies. The shows will be held on July 7-9.