SFCC to Present ‘Musical Comedy Murders of 1940’

The State Fair Community College Theatre Arts program will present the mystery/farce “Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” April 19-23 in the Stauffacher Theatre on the Sedalia campus.

This witty, spirited play, which enjoyed a long run on Broadway, pokes fun at the ridiculous aspects of Hollywood and corny thrillers. The creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop, in which three chorus girls were murdered, gathers for a backer’s audition at an estate, replete with sliding panels, secret passageways and a German maid who is apparently four different people.

As bodies start to drop, a blizzard prevents the survivors from escaping, but the mystery is eventually solved with the help of a snow-shoed police inspector.

The performance is rated PG for mild violence.

Regular performances will be at 7:30 p.m. April 19-22; admission is $6. Tickets are $15 for an April 22 dinner theatre in the Stauffacher lobby; dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. The dinner theatre menu is available by calling the Box Office at (660) 596-7387 from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SFCC students and employees receive free admission, and cost of the dinner theatre for them is $10. Special group rates are available for both regular performances and dinner theatre.

A matinée will be presented at 2 p.m. April 23. Anyone 60 or older will be admitted free.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.sfccmo.edu/campus-life/the-arts, by calling the Box Office or emailing tickets@sfccmo.edu. Wheelchair seating is available upon request.

Cast
Helsa Wenzel – Haleigh Carson, Sedalia
Elsa Von Grossenknueten – Sheridan Rohaus, Deepwater
Michael Kelly – Connor Marshall, Bates City
Patrick O’Reilly – Alan Ehlers, Stover
Ken De La Maze – Jesse VanBooven, La Monte
Nikki Cradall – Lauren Dowell, Odessa
Eddie McCuen – Joey Roberts, Urbana
Marjorie Baverstock – Regan Smith, Odessa
Roger Hopewell – Jacob Fowler, Warrensburg
Bernice Roth – Alia Stepney, Columbia
Slasher - Gavin Eichler, Lincoln

Production Staff
Director – Tim Wells, SFCC instructor
Assistant Director/Stage Manager – Ethan Yazell, Sedalia
Set Construction – Chris Jackson, Sedalia
Props and Run Crew Mistress - Victoria Stowell, Sedalia,
Props/Running Crew – Morgan Alford, Sedalia
Fly Man, Props/Running Crew – Tyler Singer, Odessa
Sound Board Operator – Alex Contreras, Sedalia
Costume Construction/Running Crew – Kayleigh Exendine, Lincoln; Alicia Eldred, Windsor; Alia Stepney, Columbia
Hair and Makeup – Gavin Eichler, Lincoln
House Manager – Kayla Rains, Windsor

In the photo: SFCC’s Theatre Arts program will present “Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” April 19-23 in the Stauffacher Theatre on the Sedalia campus. From left, Jacob Fowler, Alia Stepney, Lauren Dowell, Regan Smith, Jesse VanBooven, Sheridan Rohaus, Connor Marshall, Joey Roberts, Haleigh Carson, and Alan Ehlers.