The West Virginia Wesleyan College Department of Theatre & Dance presents a murder mystery whodunnit. Three years ago, rising actor Derry Freefall was poisoned onstage during a performance, but her killer was never found. Now, auditions for roles at national theatres are interrupted by a murder most ridiculous, and hysteria reigns as egos are unleashed.

The show, written and directed by Dr. Greg Mach, associate professor, features scripted and improvised segments so no two shows are the same.

“We started doing these dinner theatre mysteries 10 years ago and we have such a blast every time,” Mach said. “The audience has so much fun because they are a part of the action – they have to figure out ‘whodunnit’ or sit back and laugh while other people figure it all out. Either way, it’s two hours of fun, great food and great music.”

Mach explained, “Doing these shows helps our students to learn the ins and outs of improvisational theatre. They never know what the audience will say or will ask them, so they have to figure out how to answer in character and in a way that will help their character get away with it, or implicate another character, or just move the plot along.”

Cast members include Makya Bradshaw as ZaZa, Leigh Rice as Mel, Sadie Huynh as Sam, Kostadena Matina Hartley as KC, Elijah W. Dickey as Ollie, Rhyan Sebring as Juice and WVWC’s Director of the MFA Program Dr. Doug Van Gundy as ChaCha.

Stage Manager and costume director is Hartley assisted by Emme Castellow.

Mach added, “Students learn how to build broad characters and play in a variety of spaces, adjusting the show each time they tour the show to a new venue. The Department of Theatre & Dance makes no profit from the shows but uses them to help local businesses pull in new customers who might not have been to the venue before. It’s a lovely partnership between the College and the local communities.”