GHS presents ‘The Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery’

After the murder mystery “Putting a Little English on It” ends in a real murder, Inspector Fuller (Hyrum Hale) slaps handcuffs on director Brett Donahue (Ben Staggers) in the Greencastle High School production of “The Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery.” Meanwhile, looking on aghast are stage manager Erica Stone (Hallie Rice), Richard Green (Zach Martin), Sandy Smith (Emily Gray), Misty Gere (Kamorah Stampley) and Scarlet Mays (Kiana Hewitt). The play will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at GHS Parker Auditorium on both Friday and Saturday.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

“The Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery” is a murder mystery comedy that aims to intrigue, entertain and surprise all who see it. The play will be presented at Greencastle High School Parker Auditorium this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The story plops the audience in the middle of the Cheboygan Theatre Company’s final dress rehearsal of their production, “Putting a Little English on It.”

An already lousy rehearsal takes a turn for the worse when one of the actors winds up murdered during a mysterious blackout. The clock is ticking as the cast and crew of this dysfunctional theater company works together to solve the mystery before it’s too late.

The characters include demanding diva, Scarlet Mays/Ms. Polly (played by Kiana Hewitt), motherly feminist Holly Hanover/Mrs. Margaret Polk (Kendra Hanlon/ Alice Howard understudy), naively upbeat Sandy Smith/Gertrude Polk (Emily Gray/ Grace Long understudy), anxious Misty Gere/the Maid (Kamorah Stampley), the clever yet unrespected Richard Green/Mr. Frederick Polk (Zachary Martin/ Gabriel Dewey understudy), the sleepy Tom Baines/Mr. Humphrey Black (Collin Short), method-acting Gary Ferguson/Inspector Bradshaw (Dawson Lyons), reliable but put-upon stage manager Erica Stone (Hallie Rice/ Rebecca Hebb understudy), arrogant director Brett Donahue (Benjamin Staggers/ William Johnston understudy), batty accompanist Susan Wells (Makayla Long), hard-boiled detectives Inspector Wright (Dorian Dowd) and Inspector Fuller (Hyrum Hale), condescending theater critic Adele Sears (Bella Green) and the show’s playwright Brian D. Taylor (Carter Brown).

The crew behind-the-scenes help makes this show run smoothly — unlike “Putting a Little English on It.” Rebecca Hebb and Lia Lofaro serve as the stage managers. Other crew members include: lighting crew Henry Cox, Daniel Johnston, Grace Long and Michelle Morales; make-up, Jillian Cooper, Shannon Halloran, William Johnston, Eleanore Shillings and Jadyn Wadler (director); props masters Rebecca Hebb and Lia Lofaro; sound crew Ben Huff (director) and Mya Weddle; and set building crew Alyssa Campfield, Katie Isaacs-Bailey, Marcia Linville and Grace Long.

“The Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery” is a play written in 2013 by Brian D. Taylor. It has been produced by numerous schools and community theaters across the country.

This production is being produced by Mark Rawlins. Set designer and builder is Amie Bailey. Dustin Bond programmed the light cues. Marleah Muncie is the assistant director. Tyler Adams is house manager. Jessica Greenwell helped with costumes and props. Sarah Armitage designed and styled the hair.

All seats are $6 and may be purchased at the door. On both Friday and Saturday the show starts at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7.