The very talented members of Cornerstone Theatre have been preparing since mid-January for their annual spring dinner theatre performance which is to be held on April 12, 13, and 14.
Held at Carlyle Memorial Hall the group will be performing Ken Ludwig's "The Game's Afoot." The play, which is both a mystery and a comedy, focuses on William Gillette, a famous 1930s Broadway actor, best known for playing the role of Sherlock Holmes on-stage.
One night Gillette invites a number of other actors that he has been working with to visit his home in Connecticut to enjoy the Christmas holidays.
Fatefully one night a member of the group is stabbed to death. Everyone becomes a suspect and each becomes suspicious of the other. To add to growing unease at Gillette's mansion his elaborate home is filled with secret doors and other tricks allowing the murderer to have possibly gotten away.
As he plays a famous detective on the stage Gillette is resolved to use his knowledge of what Sherlock Holmes would look for and do in this situation to find out who is guilty. Can Gillette discern who the killer is, will the murderer strike again, or has the culprit escaped? Gillette must act quickly to catch the killer, but may indeed discover secrets from each of his guests.
Considered a classic whodunit the play is rife with comedy as the famed thespian attempts to deduce who the guilty party is amongst his guests.
The play was decided upon by a reading committee. It is being co-directed by Dianne Twietmeyer and Doug Waldner.
The productions held on April 12 and April 13 will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the highly anticipated performance at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 14 will see a matinee show at 2 p.m., but does not include a meal. Tickets for the evening performances which include supper are $30, while the tickets for the matinee are $15.
For each of the evenings including dinner there will be 150 tickets available, which must be purchased by the latest on Thursday, April 11. The meal is being provided by David and Shelley Slykhuis, so it is sure to be delicious.
Tickets are available at the box office, which is across the street from Memorial Hall located in The Pearl Boutique. They can also be contacted at 453-4488 for ticket inquiries.
One happy item that has been noticed recently by the theatre group is a younger crowd attending.
"We are getting a younger and younger crowd and we are pleased to see that the arts are becoming an important part of this community," Don Carter explained.
