Ridgedale Players Delight Donors with Murder at the Speakeasy

On Saturday night, philanthropic patrons were treated to a wonderful Italian dinner at a fundraiser for Ridgedale Players. The evening began with generous amounts of appetizers and golden punch. The main course featured delicious lasagna, topped off by tiramisu for dessert. Actors from the theatre company performed a murder mystery set in a Detroit speakeasy during the Great Depression.

Wait staff wore bright red bow ties, white shirts and black slacks/skirts, while actors wore classy suits and evening attire. The children who served us were totally adorable!

Handsome and articulate Scott Welborn opened the show as the story's narrator, explaining how Frank DeAngelo (Ed Berger) was caught in a tough situation as owner of the verboten watering hole. His partner in crime, Sonny Palmintari (AAron Kurilik) was busy trying to make changes at the hideaway, like firing old-time chanteuse Ramona Lapucci (Diane Dillard) and replacing her with young and blond Marilyn Russell (Brittany Ward). Police Sergeant Bennie Borelli (Bill Dixon) was putting the heat on Frank for more protection money, while bootlegger Vito Jackaloni (Dave Lusk) was twisting Frank's arm for a more profitable sales contract. Frank's wife, Maria (Jenn Murray) wanted more at-home time with him, while New York mobster Dominic Capitoni wanted more profit flowing into headquarters. Frank's physician Stella Lombardi (Audrey Brown) was the one shoulder he could cry on, but due to unique circumstances, Lapucci overheard him tell the doctor he planned to seek protection from the FBI and spill the beans to Elliott Mess.

In the meanwhile, Frank was murdered, and it was up to the audience to decide "who dunnit." Unfortunately, there was no butler in the story, so one of the characters was arbitrarily voted as the murderer. Ahhh, democracy, isn't it grand?

Learn about Ridgedale's upcoming season at http://ridgedaleplayers.com .

Friend Anton Anderssen at https://www.facebook.com/teddybears .