'Something's Afoot' with Phelps-Clifton Springs Community Theatre
CLIFTON SPRINGS — Malice, mayhem, mystery, and murder will be onstage as the the Phelps-Clifton Springs Community Theatre celebrates its 45th year with the suspiciously funny musical "Something’s Afoot."
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. July 28-30 and 2 p.m. July 31 in the air-conditioned Midlakes High School Black Box Theatre.
This spoof of writer Agatha Christie’s many works tells the tale of 10 people stranded in an isolated English country house during a raging thunderstorm. One by one they are killed off by cleverly fiendish devices. As the bodies pile up in the library, the survivors frantically race to uncover the identity and motivation of the cunning culprit. The book, music and lyrics are by James McDonald, David Vos, and Robert Gerlach, with additional music by Ed Linderman. This musical originally appeared on Broadway in 1976.
The 10-member cast is being directed by Keith E. Childs, artistic director of the Phelps-Clifton Springs Community Theatre. Music director is Stephanie Cheney, with an orchestra conducted by Jennifer Cornwell. Childs and Stefan Uveges choreograph the show.
The cast is led by Joanne Saracino of Phelps as Miss Tweed, who will remind audiences of Christie’s Miss Marple. Others in the cast are Katlyn Upchurch, Trevor Barcomb, Cassandra VanDamme, from Clifton Springs; Ed Krenzer and Sefan Uveges, of Phelps; Cris Brown and Audrey Brown, from Canandaigua; Michael Witter, of Newark; and Zackery White, of New York City.
Behind the scenes, Charlie King serves as technical director with Cris Brown serving as graphic designer. Jon George is scenic artist, with Nancy Denisi, Susie Bonawitz, Carol Byron, Betsy Tuxill and Tracy VanDamme designing costumes. Ross Gifford is lighting designer, while Michael Cheney oversees audio supervision. Carol Millis fulfills the duties of assistant to the director.
“Although 'Something’s Afoot' is not a well-known theater piece, area audiences are in for a treat with this production," Childs said. "It has been fun to work with an incredibly talented cast that is trying to squeeze every bit of humor from the script. It is great summer theater fare.”
More details
Presale tickets for "Something’s Afoot" are available at the Midlakes High School Office, Phelps Hometown Pharmacy, Sandy’s Floral Gallery in Clifton Springs, Stomping Grounds in Geneva, and Renaissance—The Goodie II Shoppe in Canandaigua at the cost of $10. Tickets purchased at the door, if available, cost an additional $2. Due to the limited seating in the Black Box Theatre the purchase of presale tickets is strongly suggested.
Midlakes High School is located at 1554 Route 488 in Clifton Springs. Parking for the Black Box Theatre is in the Midlakes Middle School parking lot.
"Something’s Afoot" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Inc. and is made possible in part with a grant from the Nelson B. Delavan Foundation Part A.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: 'Something's Afoot' with Phelps-Clifton Springs Community Theatre
