Interview: Old Opera House to Present A PARTY TO MURDER

By: Oct. 17, 2015
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Some people complain they're bored to death while playing board games, but what if a seemingly normal board game was actually the cause of death? In A Party to Murder, premiering this weekend at the Old Opera House in Charles Town, WV, characters fight for their lives in a murder mystery game.

Directed by Will Heyser- Paone, A Party to Murder is set on Halloween weekend, when six guests arrive at an island cottage to play a murder mystery game. All of the guests have been invited by a mysterious writer, and as the weekend goes on, it is no longer fun and games when guests begin to actually die during the game. As the remaining guests realize they are truly playing for their lives, a twenty five year old unsolved mystery begins to haunt the proceedings as the game spirals out of control.

Within the murder mystery game within the show, the cast all plays dual roles and quickly enjoyed working together on the sinister tale.

"Working with a great range of actors that I hadn't gotten to work with before was very enjoyable" said Elizabeth Van Absher, who plays Mrs. McKnight / Valerie.

"It was wonderful moving from a group of Old Opera House friends to the ensemble cast aspect of the team" said Richard Hamstead, who plays Rev. Merryweather / Elwood.

As a murder mystery reminiscent of an Agatha Christie classic, the show presented many technical challenges.

"The most challenging part was changing clothes on stage and going from octogenarian to 39 without a make up artist" said Absher "And getting the door from which I hang to work properly!" added Hamstead

The cast is ready to share the spine-tingling murder mystery with an audience in the upcoming weekends before Halloween.

"Everyone who's ever enjoyed a good mystery that kept you guessing to the end should come see it. It's the perfect mix of Halloween movie and Agatha Christie/Hitchcock style" said Absher

"The show in and of itself is a very good piece of entertainment and is true to Agatha Christi's style. It is worthy of what Old Opera House audiences come to expect and enjoy" said Hamstead.

A Party to Murder also features Bruce Olson as Konrad / Charles, Glenn Frail as Ernie / Willy, Tia B. Davis as Evelyn/ McKenzie and Elizabeth Egan as O'Karma / Henri. A Party to Murder will run October 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 at the Old Opera House, located at 204 N. George Street, Charles Town, WV. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 PM and Sunday matinee performances are at 2:30 PM.. Tickets are $19 for adults at Friday and Saturday evening performances, $17 for adults at Sunday matinees and $12 for students at all performances. Please call 304-725-4420 or visit www.oldoperahouse.org to make reservations.

Photo Credit: Adam Blackstock, courtesy of the Old Opera House

 

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