Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Reino Ranta, right, and Zack Rossman rehearse a scene for "How to Host a Murder Mystery Dinner Party in 15 Simple Steps" at the Ironwood Memorial Building on Tuesday. The Awkward Stage Drama Club production directed by Mary Hanson will run at the Golden Dragon restaurant in downtown Ironwood on April 5-7. Tickets are available at the Carnegie Library through April 2.
By MEGAN HUGHES
Ironwood - The Awkward Stage Drama Club is preparing for its fourth Murder Mystery dinner theater, according to director Mary Hanson.
The show, titled "How to Host a Murder Mystery Dinner Party (in 15 Simple Steps)" is planned for April 5-7 at the Golden Dragon restaurant in downtown Ironwood.
Hanson said the dinner will feature hors d'oeuvres and dessert, and the entire evening will be "very interactive with the audience."
Hanson said the show is set as a seminar that the audience is attending to learn how to host a murder mystery dinner, with cast members performing roles to demonstrate the sorts of characters one might expect at such events.
Each show will be different, said Hanson, as the murderer will change depending on what the audience decides are important clues and bringing the performance to its unique conclusion.
"A murder mystery gives them an opportunity to not have to memorize a lot of blocking," said Hanson about the show. "They can work on their character. Get them together, build the bond, and move forward with wherever their talents may go. I am just so excited about it, there is just so much talent."
There are 12 members of the cast, with students coming from the Ironwood, Hurley and Wakefield-Marenisco schools, in addition to several cast members who are homeschooled.
Zack Rossman, an eighth grader from Wakefield-Marenisco, is playing the role of the housekeeper, who has been running the household for more than 20 years.
Rossman said his favorite part of the show is the story itself. This is his first show with the drama club.
The show has five actors who have been a part of previous productions of the club, said Hanson.
One of said returning actors is Olivia Brushaber, a junior. She plays the role of a gossip, which she said, "is pretty challenging for me, because I am not one at all." Her character spends a lot of time making introductions at the seminar.
Seventh grader Tristan Lundbord joined the club during one of last year's productions, and said he simply likes being involved.
Tickets for the show will be available at the Ironwood Carnegie Library and need to be purchased by April 2, so that the club can make sure there is enough food prepared, said Hanson.
For more information, call the Ironwood Carnegie Library at 906-932-0203.
