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Benjamin Blake,
vice president

Cathy Johnson,
treasurer

Lynn Parnell,
secretary

Cheryl Hall

Liz LaRosa

Trey Lincoln

Sandra Miller

Each new spring brings the anticipation of warmer weather, flowers coming to life, and a fresh start. It also brings the anticipation of the annual West Stanly Players spring production. Over the past thirty-seven years the Players have become a staple of spring in Stanly County, presenting musicals, comedies, tragedies, and revues. The tradition that Jim Kennedy started in 1971 with his first spring production of Flowers for Algernon roars to life again with the WSP 2008 spring production of John Bishop’s hilarious comedy The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.

Despite the words “musical comedy” in the title this year’s production is not a musical. “We try to rotate from musicals to straight plays from year to year,” says WSP director Wes Tucker. “After doing a large musical last year and other dramas and tragedies over the past few years, we wanted to do something to keep the audience laughing.”

The ingenious and wild comedy enjoyed a long and critically hailed run on and Off-Broadway in the late eighties and early nineties. Since then, it has become a favorite of community and regional theatres throughout the United States.

The show pokes fun at the ridiculous aspects and people of “show biz”. The 1930’s and 40’s were considered the heyday of Hollywood and the American Musical Comedy, churning out hit after hit of song and dance shows featuring songs by Cole Porter or Rodgers and Hart. But what this era is often remembered for are the larger than life, often eccentric composers, lyricists, directors, producers, actors, and other hangers-on that made up the entertainment industry. The play takes these aspects and wraps them up in a whodunit style slapstick comedy.

“With the state of the economy and the world, we wanted to provide an escape for our audience, a laugh out loud comedy,” says Tucker. “This is a great show for people who love theatre or for people who have never attended a production, there is truly something for everyone.”

Set in the library of a creepy old mansion in 1940, filled with secret passages and sliding panels, the story brings together a very eclectic group of characters, one of which may or may not be the infamous “Stage Door Slasher.” The “slasher” has already murdered three chorus girls during a recent Broadway flop and has never been caught. As a blizzard rages outside and traps the possible victims inside the “slasher” makes his reappearance and strikes again – and again.

What could be a nail-biting mystery from this point turns into hysterical, sidesplitting comedy as victims are chased in and out of sliding panels, fingers are pointed, and mistaken idenities lead to mayhem. As the mystery unravels the audience is kept guessing and laughing right up until the hilarious climax of the play.

The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 will run on May 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 8:00 pm and May 4 at 2:30 pm. All shows will be held in the West Stanly Players Theatre at WSHS. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Reserved seating is also available for $15. Tickets may be purchased from any West Stanly Player. For more information of to reserve a ticket contact WSHS at 704-485-3012.

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MGCCA is not involved in the presentation of this production, but we are pleased to provide this information as part of our continuing effort to raise the awareness of and participation in the arts in the region.

April 11 & 12, 2008
7:30 p.m.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Uwharrie Players
Stanly County
Agri-Civic Center

April 11 & 12, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Bus Stop
Pfeiffer Theatre
Misenheimer

April 22, 8:00 p.m.
Misenheimer
April 24, 8:00 p.m.
Mount Pleasant
Pfeiffer Wind Ensemble
Spring Concerts

April 19, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Gallery in concert
Stanly County Concerts
Stanly County
Agri-Civic Center

May 3 & 4
Stanly County Chorale
40th Anniversary Concerts
First Presbyterian Church
126 W North St
Albemarle
Free Admission