Released: April 5, 2012
Lincoln, Neb. - The Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film University Theatre season concludes its 2011-2012 season with "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" by John Bishop, April 12-14 and 18-21 at 7:30 p.m. in Howell Theatre, first floor, Temple Building, 12th and R Streets. Carrie Lee Patterson (director of the fall production of "Lady Windermere's Fan") directs.
Individual tickets for performances are $16, $14 faculty/staff and senior citizens, and $10 students with ID. Season Passes are $50, $40 faculty/staff and senior citizens and are redeemable for four admissions. Tickets and passes are available at:
- http://carsonschool.unl.edu
- Lied Center Ticket Office, 301 N. 12 Monday through Friday 11-5:30 p.m.
- One hour prior to the performance in the Temple Theatres Lobby
- By telephone at 472-4747 or 800-432-3231
- Reservations for performances are strongly recommended.
A wildly comic romp poking fun at the more ridiculous aspects of theatre and the thrillers of 30s and 40s Hollywood, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" focuses on the creative team of a recent Broadway flop who have assembled for a backer's audition of their new show at the elaborate estate of a wealthy patron. In the tradition of Hollywood's best murder mysteries, the house is replete with sliding panels, secret passageways and a German maid who might just be four different people.
Comic mayhem ensues when the infamous "Stage Door Slasher" who had murdered three chorus girls in the last fiasco, reappears and strikes again! As the creative team prepare their performance, a blizzard cuts off any possible escape and the bodies start to pile up. Knives spring out of nowhere, masked figures drag victims behind swirling bookcases and the bumbling police inspector snowshoes in to try to investigate. All the while, Bishop has regaled the audience with biting and satirical wit.
Cast members are undergraduates Lucy Myrtue, Jessie Tidball, Devon Schovanec, David Rubio, Nate Ruleaux, Emily Martinez, Michael Lee, Maggie Austin, Sam Hartley and Jenny Holm.
Designs are by graduate student Julie Douglass (costumes), undergraduates Chris Stephanek (lights) and Logan Caldwell (sound), and faculty member Laurel Shoemaker (scenic). The production is stage managed by undergraduate Megan Kraft.
University Theatre is sponsored by the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film and funded, in part, by the Johnny Carson Film and Broadcast Fund.