Photo Flash: Taproot's SOMETHING'S AFOOT

Taproot Theatre Company continues its 35th Anniversary Season this summer with Something's Afoot. "The butler didn't do it!" So starts this murder mystery musical that has been delighting audiences for decades. When wealthy Lord Rancour is found dead at his lakeside estate, the race to find out whodunit begins. Filled with booby-traps and belted songs, this hilarious spoof hums along as you play armchair detective to a zany cast of characters. Something's Afoot, directed by Scott Nolte, opens on July 15 and runs through August 13, with previews on July 13 & 14.

"Murder mysteries have always been a big hit among our patrons, since the early days of Taproot Theatre," said Nolte. "So, we got to thinking, what better way to celebrate our 35th Anniversary Season and say thanks for the years of support than to present a murder mystery musical? This clever spoof honors the mystery greats like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers."

With characters including a "saucy maid," a "black sheep nephew" and a "tweedy, elderly amateur detective" known as Miss Tweed-who sings "I Owe It All to Agatha Christie"-fans of the genre will see elements of their favorite mystery novels parodied in this "engaging, funny, refreshing and original musical" (The New York Post).

Something's Afoot features book, music and lyrics by James McDonald, David Vos and Robert Gerlach, with additional music by Ed Linderman. It premiered in 1972 at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta, and then was produced at Goodspeed Musicals in 1973. Opening on Broadway at Lyceum Theatre in May 1976, it went on to the West End's Ambassadors Theatre in 1977.

The production features a talented cast of Dale Bowers, Gerald B. Browning, Ryan Childers, Jenny Cross, William Hamer, Ian Lindsay, Natalie Anne Moe, Deanna Sarkar, Pat Sibley and Tim Tully. The production team includes scenic and sound designer Mark Lund, costume designer Sarah Burch Gordon and lighting designer Andrew Duff. Kristi Matthews serves as stage manager and Judy Naegeli as dramaturg.

Following Something's Afoot, Taproot Theatre concludes its 35th Anniversary Season with Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband, running September 21 through October 22

Photo Credit: Erik Stuhaug