THE GAME'S AFOOT Opens Tonight at TheatreWorks New Milford

Tonight, December 5 at 8:00 p.m., TheatreWorks New Milford will proudly present the hilarious Holiday whodunit, THE GAME'S AFOOT OR HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS by Ken Ludwig. The show opens for a five-week run.

It's December 1936 and Broadway star William Gillette (Charles Schoenfeld, East Granby), admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. Then it's up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger and hilarity are non-stop in this farcical whodunit set during the Christmas Holidays.

"Because the man who wrote 'Moon Over Buffalo' and 'Lend Me a Tenor' is the author of this play, let it be known that physical comedy and farce are going to be involved," said director, Glenn R. Couture. "[Playwright] Ken Ludwig has such a penchant for creating over-the-top comedic situations and, in this case, combining that farce seamlessly with a murder mystery. Audiences will love both the laughs and the intrigue that flow forth from this extremely talented cast."

"The play is a perfect venue for Connecticut theaters like TheatreWorks, as it's based loosely on William Gillette, who not only brought Sherlock Holmes to life on Broadway, but also constructed Gillette Castle on the Connecticut River, where the bulk of this play is set," said producer and co-lighting designer, Richard Pettibone. "Add to that the backdrop of the Holiday Season, and this show becomes a perfect concoction of comedy and mystery for the Season. It's a fresh and unique take on the Holiday-centric show that breaks free of traditional Yuletide productions we often see this time of year."

Along with Schoenfeld, the production features some of the finest actors in the region: Mary Wilson (Southbury), Janice Conner (Goshen), Robyn Maitland (New Fairfield), Frank Arcaro (Roxbury), MJ Hartell (Brookfield), and Reesa Roccapriore and James Hipp (both New Milford).

Besides Couture and Pettibone, who both designed the set, the show's crew consists of co-lighting designer Scott Wyshynski, sound designer Tom Libonate, costume designer Susan Aziz, and stage manager Kristi Petersen-Schoonover.

THE GAME'S AFOOT debuted at the Cleveland Play House on November 30, 2011. The show went on to win the 2012 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Play from the Mystery Writers of America. The Cleveland Examiner said, "THE GAME'S AFOOT gives you everything you love about great live theatre. Billed as a comedy thriller, you will find yourself swept along for a wild and funny ride."

THE GAME'S AFOOT runs December 5,6 12,13 19,20,21 27,28 31 January 2,3. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinees on December 21 and 28. Tickets for all shows are $23 for reserved seating. Students and Military personnel with ID will be admitted for $18.

On New Year's Eve, December 31 at 8:00 p.m., there will be one gala fundraising performance with hors d'oeuvres and an open bar of wine, beer, and soft drinks. Tickets for this event are $75.

On Thursday, December 4, Senior Citizens are invited to a free dress rehearsal at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 11 at 8:00 p.m. is TheatreWorks' Pay-What-You-Want night. At this performance, you name the price for your ticket.

Reservations can be made online at THEATREWORKS.US or by calling the box office at (860) 350-6863.

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