Xenia Daily Gazette

XENIA — The Xenia Area Community Theater (X*ACT) continues its tribute to Agatha Christie on the 125th anniversary of her birth with the Peter Gordon spoof, “Murdered To Death” at the Kettering Health Network Theater April 8-17.

Set in the 1930s, the play lampoons her famous characters in a production filled, like a Christie classic, with intrigue, murder and suspense. Yet, unlike a Christie classic, it’s also filled with nonsense, subtle puns, outrageous characters and wit.

The story is set in a country manor house. The owner of the manor has dies a mysterious death and everyone is a suspect. The list includes the obligatory butler, an English colonel and his wife and a shady French art dealer and his moll. On the case are a bumbling local inspector and a well-meaning local sleuth who seems to attract murder.

The cast features Tony Copper as the bumbling Inspector Pratt, Christian Yates as Constable Tompkins and Edith Waugh as Joan Maple; each past X*ACT Award winners for acting or directing. Additional members include Jacinda Bridger as Elizabeth; Dimitri Markov as art dealer Pierre; Tamar Fishbein as Margaret; Tony Williams as the Colonel; Kylee Pauley as Dorothy; Penelope Winter as Mildred; and Harry Wayne Shepard as the slow-moving butler. Making his directing debut is Patrick Taylor, a veteran of the X*ACT stage who served as assistant director for the recent X*ACT production, “Bull In A China Shop.”

The production kicks-off with an Opening Night Gala, sponsored by Caesar Creek Vineyards, 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 8. The play starts 7:30 p.m. All other performances begin 7:30 p.m. with the Sunday, April 17 matinee beginning 3 p.m. Theater doors open 30 minutes before each performance. Tickets are $17 for general admission and $14 for seniors and students. Gala tickets are $20 for this fundraising event only. Tickets may be purchased at X*ACT’s web site (www.xeniaact.org) or by making reservations at 937-372-0516. X*ACT is located at 45 E. Second Street in Xenia.