updated October 30, 2007

Discovering Murder: As detective Michael Kelly, Andrew Byrley (right) falls upon one of the many murders in the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Drama Club's production of "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940." This murder victim is a Marjorie Baverstock, a character played by Kris Dobbins, while Christian Gage is the unsuspecting director of the play, character Ken De La Maize.

However, the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Drama Club production is definitely a comedy that will touch the funny bone during performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for non-Rose-Hulman students and youths, and free for RHIT students.

Persons can call (812) 877-8544 to reserve tickets or visit the Hatfield Hall ticket office from 1-5 p.m. on weekdays. Because of adult language, this show may not be suitable for younger audiences. Also, ticket availability on Saturday might be limited since this is Dad’s Day on campus.

"The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" is an ingenious and wildly comic romp which enjoyed a long, critically hailed run both on and off-Broadway. Poking antic fun at the more ridiculous aspects of "show biz" and the corny thrillers of Hollywood's heyday, the play is a non-stop barrage of laughter as those assembled (or at least who aren't killed off) untangle the mystery of the Stage Door Slasher.

"It's a farce making fun of all the noir films and madcap mysteries popular in that era," said veteran Rose-Hulman Drama Club Director Bunny Nash.

The play, written by John Bishop, comes complete with a creepy, old mansion; a murder mystery; a blizzard; a young couple in love, even a Nazi and a stereotypical Irishman.

And, of course, "No one's who they say they are," Nash says. "Everything is done over the top."

Taking Center Stage: Nearly the entire cast of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Drama Club's "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" is on stage for this scene from the comedy murder mystery. Students include (from left) Marcie Huber, Marc Pardee, David Bander, Alice Forehand, Christian Gage, Kris Dobbins and Karen Kirchman.

The play centers around the creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop (in which three chorus girls were murdered by the mysterious Stage Door Slasher) assemble for a backer's audition of their new show at the Westchester estate of a wealthy "angel."

The house is replete with sliding panels, secret passageways and a German maid who is apparently four different people -- all of which figure diabolically in the comic mayhem which follows when the infamous Slasher makes his reappearance and strikes again and again.

As the composer, lyricist, actors and director prepare their performance, and a blizzard cuts off any possible retreat, bodies start to drop in plain sight, knives spring out of nowhere, masked figures drag their victims behind swiveling bookcases, and accusing fingers point in all directions.

However, and with no thanks to the bumbling police inspector who snowshoes in to investigate, the mystery is solved in the nick of time and the Slasher unmasked —- but not before the audience has been treated to a sidesplitting good time and a generous serving of the Bishop's biting, satiric and refreshingly irreverent wit.

"I thought it would be fun to open the season with a farce," Nash said. And, she thought the students and audience would be amused that the play's characters are all involved in theater.

"We try to have a balanced season -- something gritty, something new, something fun," she said.

Technical Director Greg Stump has designed a set with some great surprises. In fact, the old mansion becomes a character in itself.

Members of the cast include seniors David Bander, Rachel Carlson, Kris Dobbins, Christian Gage, Karen Kirchman, John O’Grady; junior Andrew Byrley; sophomore Marcie Huber; and freshmen Alice Forehand and Marc Pardee.

"It's a blast with all the crazy characters," Nash said of the play, which kicks off Rose-Hulman Drama Club's season. Other planned productions include "Night of the Living Dead", on Jan. 11-12 and Jan. 18-19; and the musical "Once Upon A Mattress," on April 25-26 and May 2-3.

INFORMATION BOX
"The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"
Rose-Hulman Drama Club
Friday, Nov. 2 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 3 – 7:30 p.m.

Hatfield Hall Theater
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
5500 Wabash Ave.

Tickets: $8 for adults, $6 for non-RHIT students and youths; free for RHIT students.

Tickets can be reserved by calling (812) 877-8544 or visiting the Hatfield Hall ticket office from 1-5 p.m. on weekdays.