Murder, they wrote
Yuma Community Theatre to present murder mystery summer play
For the Yuma Community Theatre’s summer show, women of an older age will get their chance in the spotlight as they star in a darkly humorous production.
“This show is actually a show that I was in when I was in high school and they (YCT) were looking for a summer show — something that we could do at low cost that our patrons would like and they love comedy,” said the director of the production, Melissa Raulerson, following Tuesday night’s rehearsal. “I’ve been wanting to do something that appealed more to the older women that like to act, because a lot of times some of the roles that are female are for younger (women) or there is maybe one older role. This has the opportunity for six women and there is only one whom you can cast as younger; the rest should be about 35 and older.”
“Of course, we have three males in there,” Raulerson added. “We cast a 15-year-old to play an adult cop because he is good. I really thought that overall between having an experience of doing it myself on stage before years ago and bringing a new show to this area that this would be something that could involve more of the community.”
YCT will present multiple showings of the play titled “The Marquis Crossing Ladies Society’s First Attempt at Murder.” The shows will be held from July 27 to July 29 and again Aug. 3 to Aug. 5 at the Historic Yuma Theatre, 254 S. Main St.
Each performance will take place at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $10 each.
The play itself is a humorous farce centered on a group of women who struggle to write a murder mystery. Raulerson noted people can expect the play, as performed by YCT, “to be a lot funnier than they anticipated.”
“A lot of times, especially when you do murder mysteries, it’s
slapstick comedy,” Raulerson explained. “This one is so funny that sometimes the cast is even having a hard time getting their lines out without laughing. It’s simple comedy, and it’s set back in the 90s, so it’s not too far behind, and we can really bring some of that humor here.”
Justice Johnson, the 15-year-old cast member who will be playing an adult cop, said he has been involved in theatre for five years with his family and is looking forward to sharing some laughs in the upcoming production.
“It’s a very nice play to be in. I think there is a lot of comedy and a lot of good jokes that we can get out of this play and I think it’s just going to be a lot of fun to do. I think people should come out and I’d like them to enjoy it with us.”
Raulerson added there will be some surprises in store during the play and that she feels theatre is a great medium to bring the community together.
“Theatre to me is like music — I think that it can soothe the soul,” Raulerson said. “It can bring people together of different ages, different generations and it can help them leave the outside world behind and just be somebody else for a day whether you are playing that person or enjoying watching somebody. I think it’s impor tant that we keep it alive whether it’s historic or it’s just something to make your day seem better with laughter.”
According to Raulerson, the play is being presented by YCT in partnership with the Historic Yuma Theatre. In preparation for the show, however, the cast has been rehearsing in the new YCT building for weeks, which is currently under renovations.
“I am really proud of our cast,” Raulerson said. “It’s been over 110 degrees in our rehearsal space most nights and they have come out here tirelessly to put on a good show.”
Proceeds from the show are to benefit both YCT and the Historic Yuma Theatre. For more information on the upcoming production, call (928) 919-4876.