Sandbag, Stage Left (or One Dead Dolly) at Arts Center Theatre

Sandbag, Stage Left (Or, One Dead Dolly)

March 4-21, 2027

By John Anthony

Directed by Marlene Strollo

The members of the Mill City Players are besides themselves over the mysterious death of their leading lady, Amelia Meddle, who during a performance, was cruelly squashed by a flying sandbag. All fingers point to her husband, undertaker Arnold Meddle, who was seen wandering around backstage just before the sailing sandbag hit pay dirt. It’s mud-slinging galore between Defense lawyer Philip Static and Prosecutor Emily Cling. Meanwhile, one by one the members of the Mill City players take the stand to implicate Arnold Meddle knowing about his jealous nature and Amelia’s flirtations with Mill City lead actor Byron Shelley. This, claims the Prosecution, provides Arnold with his motive. But Arnold contends he is innocent, but who could crush such a lovely woman under a pile of dirt and burlap? Mill City Stage Manager Gretel Van Cistern? Sexy actress Shelley Shelley? Arnold’s mousy Assistant Embalmer Margaret “Chuck” Bury? Or Medical Examiner Salvatore Soo, whom, we discover in a startling revelation, is related to the manufacturer of the deadly sandbag? It’s the case of the century, (or at least this past week), under the steady gavel of female Judge Royale Been, who presides over a jury of audience members, called for duty when the Judge dismisses the original jury for not inviting her to their party.

Author takes no responsibility for personal injury which may occur when audience members roll in the aisles with laughter.

Sandbag, Stage Left is a parody of serious courtroom dramas such as Witness for the Prosecution, Twelve Angry Men and Night of January 16th.