The University of Kansas Department of Theatre and Film University Theatre is presenting Kansas Mystery Theatre this summer with productions of Agatha Christie's “And Then There Were None” and the musical murder mystery, “Something's Afoot.”
Performances of the Christie play, originally titled “Ten little Indians,” are at 7:30 p.m. July 7, 8, 18, 20, and 22, and at 5 p.m. July 9. “Something’s Afoot with book, music and lyrics by James McDonald, David Vos and Robert Gerlach, and additional music by Ed Linderman, will be staged at 7:30 p.m. July 14, 15, 19, and 21, and at 5 p.m. July 16 and 23. All performances are in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.
John Gronbeck-Tedesco, professor of theatre and film, is directing “And Then There Were None.” John Staniunas, associate professor of theatre and film and artistic director of the University Theatre, is director, co-musical director, and choreographer for “Something’s Afoot.” Barbara Puckett, a guest artist from the Kansas City area, is co-musical director and accompanist for “Something’s Afoot.” Del Unruh, professor of theatre and film, is the scenic designer for the summer mysteries. Costumes are designed by Kelly Vogel, a third-year graduate student in the KU scenography program. Mark Reaney, professor of theatre and film, is lighting and sound designer.
Staniunas said he selected the two mysteries because of the theatrical experiences the shows provide.
“I really wanted our students to have the experience of working in rotating repertory, exploring two totally different genres, but with a connection. This is the kind of work they will be doing in summer stock and regional theatre and there is real growth gained from playing different roles night after night. They have to learn to distinguish between characters and plays. It is challenging for the actors, but great for their concentration.”
He added the repertory format is popular with theatregoers.
“I also want our audiences to enjoy the sheer cleverness of seeing the same actors shaping and changing roles. And the notion of having just one set, which can change completely just by moving the furniture, is intriguing.”
In 1939, Agatha Christie brought new interest and excitement to the mystery novel genre with her publication of “Ten Little Indians,” an intelligent and suspenseful story. It quickly became a best seller and was adapted for the stage as “And Then There Were None,” the closing line of the nursery rhyme of which the novel was named.
The classic mystery follows ten strangers who are lured by an unseen host to spend a weekend in a manor house high on a mountaintop on a British island. When they are all gathered, they hear from their host that each one of them has caused the death of an innocent person, but has escaped punishment so justice has not been served in their cases. Cut off from the world and fighting rising panic, terror ensues when one person after another is killed and accusations begin to fly wildly about as the remaining guests realize a murderer is in their midst. Tension mounts as the survivors scramble to unmask the killer even as their number is reduced in macabre accordance with the "Ten Little Indians" nursery rhyme displayed in rooms throughout the house.
A musical spoof of the “who-dunnit” mystery genre, “Something’s Afoot” takes a satirical poke at Christie’s murder mysteries as well as at the many musical styles of years past. The musical opened in the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway in May 1976, but only ran for 61 performances.
Ten people, all stereotypical British characters, are summoned to the isolated English country estate of Lord Dudley Rancour. The unseen host turns up dead within the play’s first five minutes and, in typical fashion, a sudden raging thunderstorm knocks out the bridge and therefore all communication with the outside world. The survivors have to fend for themselves as they try to discover which one of them is the murderer while they are picked off by varied and interesting means, leaving them to panic while bursting out into song every few minutes.
“These songs are not hit tunes, but each one sounds like a familiar hit. The songs spoof different musical styles. The opening number reminds me of a Sondheim-like tune and the finale is a ‘Climb Every Mountain’-type of an uplifting anthem,.” Staniunas said.
Although the two shows are very different in story and style, both embrace the nature of the mystery in a truthful way, Staniunas said.
“I don’t know why mysteries are so entertaining,” he said. “One of the challenges for the actors is to find the humorous moments in ‘And Then There Were None,’ while also finding the serious nature of ‘Something’s Afoot’.”
Reserved seat tickets for the KU summer mysteries are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982, Lied Center, 864-ARTS, and on-line at www.kutheatre.com. The University Theatre Ticket office is open from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before show times.
Tickets for “And Then There Were None” are $12 for the public, $10 for all students, and $11 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff. Tickets for “Something’s Afoot” are $15 for the public, $10 for all students, and $14 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff. Both VISA and Mastercard are accepted for phone and on-line orders.