Williamston Theatre Stages THE ART OF MURDER, Now thru 8/23

Mid-Michigan's award winning professional theatre company, Williamston Theatre, located at 122 S. Putnam Street in downtown Williamston, ends their 2014-2015 Season with The Art of Murder by Joe DiPietro. Performances begin tonight, July 16 and run through Sunday, August 23. Tickets for this 2000 Edgar Award Winner for Best Mystery Play are now on sale.

The Art of Murder begins with five Preview performances starting Thursday, July 16. During the first four Previews audience members will have the opportunity to take part in the process of creating a show by participating in a talkback session with the director following each performance. The Official Opening Night is Friday, July 24 with the show scheduled to run through Sunday, August 23. Performances will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at eight o'clock and Sunday matinees at two o'clock with additional three o'clock matinees on Saturdays starting July 25.

In a remote estate in the countryside of Connecticut, Jack Brooks, one of the most accomplished and eccentric painters of his generation, and his devoted wife Annie await the imminent arrival of Jack's art dealer. But the visit is not a standard one. Wronged feelings, a quest for revenge and years of dishonesty threaten to blow apart Jack's carefully constructed web of lies and deceit. Passion ignites four players in a chess game of revenge. Who will be left standing?

The cast of The Art of Murder consists of Dave Davies, Julia Garlotte (10:53), Robin Lewis-Bedz (The Dead Guy) and Wayne David Parker (Tuna Does Vegas, It Came From Mars). The Director is Tobin Hissong (The Woman in Black). The production team includes Set Design by Bartley H. Bauer (Miracle on South Division Street, Frankie and Johnny), Lighting Design by Alex Gay (The Big Bang, Ebenezer), Costume Design by Melanie Schuessler (The Understudy, Five Course Love), Sound Design by Quintessa Gallinat (Miracle on South Division Street, Frankie and Johnny) and Prop Design by Michelle Raymond (Outside Mullingar, Miracle on South Division Street). The Stage Manager is Nan Luchini.

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can for the Preview on Thursday, July 16 at 8PM. Remaining Preview tickets are still $15.00! Tickets for the Official Opening Night Friday, July 24, are $35 and include an after-glow with the cast and crew. We have raised ticket prices by $2 for performances after Opening Night for the 2014-2015 Season. Adult ticket prices are now $27.00 for Friday and Saturday evenings, $24.00 for Saturday and Sunday matinees and $22.00 for Thursday evenings. Senior citizens (65 and older) and members of the Military receive a $2 discount on all tickets. Student tickets (with a valid student ID) remain $10 for all performances. Discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more (booked at least 1 week in advance). Tickets can be purchased on-line up until 24 hours prior to each performance at our our website www.williamstontheatre.org, by calling (517) 655-SHOW (7469), Tuesday - Friday from 12-6pm or in person at the theatre, Tuesday - Friday from 12-6pm. Please be aware that payment is required at the time the reservation is made.

The Williamston Theatre is a not-for-profit, professional live theatre company, dedicated to producing plays that excite, engage and entertain our audiences. The theatre opened its doors in 2006, is the winner of a 2014 National Theatre Company Grant from The American Theatre Wing and has received a number of local awards including the 2008 Robert Busby Award for extraordinary overall contribution to theatre in the Greater Lansing Area.

Williamston Theatre patrons will find ample parking on the street and in several municipal lots throughout the city. The theatre is located at 122 S. Putnam Street in downtown Williamston (exit 117 off of I-96) just south of Grand River Avenue. The phone number is 517-655-SHOW (7469). Additional information about the company and the upcoming 10th Season is available online at www.williamstontheatre.org. Also check out the Williamston Theatre on Facebook (www.facebook.com/williamstontheatre) or on Twitter (twitter.com/WilliamstonThtr).