Southgate Community Players present the murder mystery comedy, “While the Lights Were Out” March 29 to April 7 at the SCP Corner Playhouse, with Mattie Raybaud (left) as Nancy Stafford, Thom Shea as Roderick Remley, Frenzela Gregory as Mimosa, Paul Bruce as Pierre Pourri, Melissa Bergermann as the Unidentified Blonde, Johanna Drentlaw as Bibi Cavendish, Jacob Maher as Algernon Wickenham, Nick Szczerba (seated) as Clive Wickenham, Justin Dietzel as Benjamin Braddock, Josie Stec as Alma Threedle, Scott Peets as Tom Groggins, Katie Baxter as Monica Wickenham, Wendy Peets as Fredonia Custardine, Cortney Markham as Chloe Custardine and Kellie Runkle as Jasmine Perdoo. For more information, go to scponstage.com.
The Southgate Community Players present Jack Sharkey’s comedic murder mystery, “While the Lights Were Out” March 29 to April 7 at the SCP Corner Playhouse, 12671 Dix-Toledo Road in Southgate.
When the power is disrupted during a nighttime thunderstorm, a scream and a pistol shot ring out before the lights return to reveal blonde woman wearing black lace standing over a dead man with a bloody dagger in her hand. However, the man has been strangled, not stabbed, which launches a story of mayhem, plot twists and laughter.
Director Mike Stec said he discovered “While the Lights Were Out” while reading scripts during the COVID-19 shutdown.
“I was missing our theater friends, and when SCP announced its season, I was excited for the opportunity to finally direct it,” he said.
Stec said as a first-time director, he’s surrounded himself with knowledgeable people to make the process run smoothly, and the collaboration from the cast and crew has exceeded his expectations.
“I have a vision for the show and characters, but I also encourage the actors to really explore their characters’ personalities and relationships,” he said. “The cast has really taken that to heart, and it’s been so exciting watching these hilarious characters come to life.”
Josie Stec, who plays Sgt. Alma Threedle, said the show is a “laugh-a-minute farce.”
“It’s filled with outlandish characters and more crazy plot twists than an episode of ‘Scooby Doo,’” she said. “Playing the straight man and not laughing at my co-stars’ antics is very tough.”
Kellie Runkle, who plays Jasmine Perdoo, said each character has a strong likelihood of being the killer, which leaves the audience trying to figure out “whodunnit.”
She said her biggest challenge has been making her character unlikeable and conveying that to the audience.
Runkle said the show’s characters have many different accents.
“Being able to use a Southern accent while hearing a plethora of other accents – British, French and Jamaican – has been so much fun,” she said.
Runkle said the characters remind us that no one is perfect.
“Even the ‘good’ characters have their flaws, just like in real life,” she said.
Mattie Raybaud, who plays servant Nancy Stafford, said the show is a good example of what a group of dedicated community theater members can accomplish.
“With this show you will find a diverse cast of actors of different ages, genders and levels of acting experience coming together as a team, and having a good time doing it,” they said. “I hope they see that and want to join in on said fun. Community theater always needs people to get involved, both on and off the stage.”
Melissa Bergermann, who plays the “Unidentified Blonde,” said she’s had fun performing with a British accent in her first comedic role.
“If you love British farce, murder mysteries set on island cliffside manors, twists and turns you won’t see coming, and laughing until you’re wiping away tears, ‘While the Lights Were Out’ is the show you won’t want to miss.”
Paul Bruce, who plays Pierre Pourri, said the show is “terrifically funny” and contains some well-crafted cliffhangers as well.
He said the many accents employed make it a challenge to maintain one’s own role’s inflection.
“Keeping your own character’s accent on point with all the others ringing in your ear is very tricky,” Bruce said.
Jacob Maher, who plays Algernon “Algy” Wickenham, said the show combines laugh-out-loud comedy with amazing twists and turns.
“Never believe what you see,” he said. “A twist and turn can come from anywhere.”
Thom Shea, who plays Remley, said the cast has enjoyed the comedy and camaraderie during the rehearsal process.
“We all need a little laughter and intrigue in our lives, and all those elements are part of this wonderful play,” he said.
Scott Peets, who plays Tom Groggins, is new to the stage, and has appreciated the cast’s support and unquestioning friendship as they fleshed out the show, which he categorizes as a “British murder mystery, romance, action and farce.”
“See if you are smart enough to figure out what happened,” he said.
Johanna Drentlaw, who plays Bibi Cavendish, said it is a fun, over-the-top show with a dedicated and engaging cast.
“This show is kind of like if Eric Idle produced a telenovela written by Agatha Christie,” she said. “I hope the audience leaves the theater feeling surprised by both the plot twists and by the fact that those aren’t our real accents.”
Wendy Peets, who plays Fredonia, said she hopes audiences enjoy how much the cast makes them laugh.
“It’s a wonderful British spoof of a murder mystery that’s as much fun to be in as it is to watch,” she said.
Also in the cast are Katie Baxter as Monica Wickenham, Nick Szczerba as Clive Wickenham, Frenzela Gregory as Mimosa, Cortney Markham as Chloe Custardine, and Justin Dietzel as Benjamin Braddock.
The March 29 opening night performance is sold out. Remaining performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 30 and April 5 and 6, with limited seating available for the 2:30 p.m. April 7 matinee.
Tickets are $15 for general admission and $13 for students and seniors. To order, go to scponstage.com.