Funny, Fast-Paced Whodunit at the Morris Museum's Bickford Theatre

Ravenscroft, an English drawing room murder mystery and a comedy, opens at the Morris Museum's Bickford Theatre on Friday, January 27, and runs through Sunday, February 12 with a Preview Performance on Thursday, January 26. David Clarke of Broadway World wrote that the Don Nigro play was "written at the three-way intersection of Monty Python, Agatha Christie and Downton Abby." Directed by Bickford Theatre Producing Artistic Director Eric Hafen, Ravenscroft is a production of the Morris Museum and Drew University.

The puzzler begins simply enough. On a snowy night, Inspector Ruffing is called to a remote house to investigate the headlong plunge of Patrick Roarke down the main staircase. Five alluring and dangerous women hold all the cards and all the answers: Marcy, the beautiful Viennese governess; Mrs. Ravenscroft, the flirtatious lady of the manor; Gillian, her charming but possibly demented daughter; Mrs. French, the formidable and passionate cook, and Dolly, a terrified maid. Ghosts on the staircase and skeletons in the closet intensify this psychological comic thriller with a twist. The suspense and laughter build to an uproariously chaotic conclusion.

Leading the cast of English oddballs is Inspector Ruffing played by Clark Carmichael of Montclair who most recently appeared on Broadway in Jumpers. Molly Garner of Bloomfield plays the hilariously wacky Mrs. Ravenscroft, Katrina Klein of New York City takes the role of Marcy, and Gloria Lamoureux of Succasunna plays Mrs. French. The production includes Drew University students Erin Farrah of Fayetteville, Arkansas as the often confused daughter Gillian and Jessica Sroczynski of Bayonne as Dolly.

"Combined with the thrill of a mystery, the laughter of a comedy, and the theatricality of its unique staging, Ravenscroft will play out in your mind as it does in the mind of our Inspector Ruffing," says Director Eric Hafen. "We are pleased to bring this always popular show to the Bickford Theatre."

Ravenscroft is a delightfully unreliable murder mystery that will keep you guessing to the end. Who pushed Patrick Roarke down the stairs? You can be sure of two things: It wasn't Colonial Mustard with a Candlestick. And you'll be glad you didn't miss the fun!

Tickets for Ravenscroft are $45 for the General Public; $40 for Seniors; $38 for Museum Members; and $20 for Students (18 & under or with valid college ID). Group rates are available.

Tickets may be purchased online at morrismuseum.org, by phone at (973) 971-3706, or in person at the Bickford Theatre Box Office. The Morris Museum's Bickford Theatre is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Walk-up hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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