Curtain set to open on ‘Curtains’
Ararat Musical Comedy Society’s 2018 production of ‘Curtains’ will open later this month at Stawell Entertainment Centre.
For the second year, the society is moving its production to Stawell due to the redevelopment of Ararat Performing Arts Centre.
The society is looking forward to bringing the ‘murder mystery musical comedy’ to Ararat and Stawell audiences.
The musical is a send-up of backstage murder mystery plots, set in 1959 Boston Massachusetts and follows the fallout when Jessica Cranshaw, the supremely untalented star of Robbin Hood of the Old West, is murdered during her opening night curtain call.
It is up to Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, a police detective who moonlights as a musical theatre fan to save the show, solve the case, and maybe even find love before the show reopens, without getting killed himself.
The leading cast includes Grant Johnson, Becky Mckay, Christine Bulger, Joyce Clery, Derek Pope, Jack Ward, Bryan Kennedy, Melissa Sanders, Craig Jackson, Russell Purdie, Maree Fraser, Daryl Lowerson and Rennie Hannan, plus a supporting cast of about 30, a live orchestra and a backstage crew of about 20.
Director Andrew Evans said rehearsals were coming along well and the cast was looking forward to taking it to the stage this month.
“Curtains is a show full of great toe-tapping songs, big dance numbers and of course lots of laughs,” he said.
“We have assembled a fantastic cast, some with vast stage experience and some newcomers, and all bring their characters alive to tell the story of this murder mystery.
“We are also fortunate to have a live orchestra, conducted for the first time by Wade Carmen, who is fresh from his role as musical director for Ballarat Light Opera Company’s ‘Spamalot’ and who has played a part of our orchestra for a number of years.
“Tickets are now on sale, so don’t miss out on what will be a fantastic night of laughs and great music.”
Curtains will be on May 26 and 27 and June 1, 2 and 3. Performances include evening shows and matinees.
Tickets are available online at www. stagecenta.com or at the door on the night.