Players plot murder, comedy

    “It’s murder, intrigue and drama all wrapped into a ball of comedy,” said Leigh Thompson, director of “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” which ran Aug. 23 to 26 in Russell Auditorium.
    The John Bishop play was performed by The MilledgeVille Players, the same group who appear in the Haunted Trolley Rides at Halloween each year and the Murder Mystery Dinners in late January.
    The Players, made up of members from the Milledgeville community, as well as GCSU faculty and students, began in September 2000.
    Dr. Thomas Toney, president of the Players and biology professor, described its beginning,         “The Continuing Education Program wanted to do a play involving the community, not just the school,” Toney said.
    The Players first performance was “Oklahoma.” Several plays later, the Players came across the script of “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.”
    “As I was reading I just laughed out loud, and I don’t typically do that when I read things to myself,” said Toney, who not only produced the play but also appeared as Roger Hopewell, an eccentric composer.
    Junior Erin Ebrite played the role of undercover Naval Officer, Nikki Crandall.
    “No one is who they seem. There are a lot of secrets, and it’s a comedy. It’s something the audience can enjoy to watch that we enjoy to perform,” Ebrite said.
    Toney said that the Players’ one concern was the stage craft. Revolving bookcases, secret passages and sliding doors seemed complicated to build, but the group felt capable.
    Art history major and member of the Players’ production team, Meghan Fleming, said she enjoyed working on the elaborate set. The historical aspect of the play appealed to her most.
    “I love the fact that it is set in the ’40s” Fleming said. “Working with the music, set, costumes, makeup and people who lived then was really great.”
    Junior, April Argo, attended the opening performance.
    “I thought it was really good, it was really funny,” Argo said. “It was interesting to see some of our professors up there being humorous and in an environment we don’t usually see them in.”
    After the opening, Director Leigh Thompson said the group did a great job.
    “I was really pleased with the audience reactions; they loved it,” Thompson said. “I’m hearing good things so I’m happy.”
    Anyone interested in upcoming shows or joining The MilledgeVille Players can contact Toney at tom.toney@gcsu.edu or call 478-314-4054.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Aug 31 2007. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry