'Murder is a Game' at NSB Little Theatre hillarious comedy-mystery treat for Halloween and beyond

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Just in time for the fall season, the Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach presents the comedy-mystery spoof, "Murder is a Game" by Fred Carmichael. Opening night was Friday with show dates 8 p.m. Saturday, and again, on Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 1, aall at 8 p.m. Matinee performances are 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. The play takes place in the mid-1990s at an old abandoned mansion, once used as a movie set. Debi and Michael La Croix play Sloan and Toby Bigelow, successful mystery authors having a pronounced case of "double writer's block." Their publisher, Lois Dunston played by Melinda Tedeschi, invites some friends to portray actors and join the couple at the mansion for a mock murder mystery weekend hoping to inspire the Bigelows to write their next novel. However, things go slightly awry when the house guests-turned-actors twist this parlor game into a deadly plot. Danielle Grau has the part of the budding actress June Ripley. The roles of Steven and Cora Leech are played by Gary Broughman and Ida Haverly. Aaron Collins has the role of Nick Ranelli, a Bronx, New York wise-guy and self-styled ladies man. Nick unabashedly unleashes his charms towards the clueless, but sexy exotic dancer, B.B. Mink, played by Sarah de la Hoz. Side-splitting dialogue, a variety of secrets and spookiness make Murder is a Game is one "whodunit" you'll love to try and solve. The director of this show is Harriet Winokur. Hal Linn is the stage manager, Peggy Foran is assistant stage manager and costumes are coordinated by Rose Dingas. The set, complete with a secret sliding panel is designed by John Stenko. Lights and sound designer is Ted Pack and lights and sound technician is Ed Winokur. TICKETS: Prices are $14 adults, $13 seniors (62+) and $7 under 18 and can be purchased at the Little Theatre box office located at 726 Third Ave. New Smyrna Beach. The box office is opened between 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For additional theatre information, please call (386) 423-1246 or visit www.NsbPlayers.org. NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera King.