Bay Street Players Launches New Author Program with Elizabeth Ireland

The Bay Street Players will host a series of book signings beginning with mystery writer Elizabeth Ireland and her new book, Death Takes Center Stageon June 15 from 2-5 at the State Theater located at 109 N. Bay Street in downtown Eustis.

Death Takes Center Stage asks the question: What would you do to obtain your heart's desire? Written as a memoir of 19th century actress and amateur sleuth, Lillian Nolan, who foregoes her upper class Chicago upbringing for a life in the theater, it chronicles her career and adventures from the point of view of her personal and professional life. The book tells the story of the death of the great tragedienne, Irene Davenport who is murdered onstage during the opening night of Macbeth. When her spirit haunts the theater, seeking revenge, Lillian soon discovers she is able to communicate with Irene's spirit and enters into a Faustian bargain to uncover her killer. In a struggle between her desire to be her own person and her passion for performing, Lillian finally uncovers Irene's murderer the night of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

"I've always had a passion for American theater history and wanted to blend that with my favorite type of fiction. Since I grew up outside of Chicago and the vibrant theatrical world there, it was a natural blend of elements," said the author, a former associate professor of theater and screenwriter.

The first in a series subtitled Backstage Mysteries; Lillian will investigate crimes in the theatrical world of the 19th century through the help and hindrance of her clairvoyant abilities. "Because so many died during the Civil War, many families wanted to make contact with their loved ones; giving rise to an interest in bridging the veil between life and death and spawning the Golden Age of Spiritualism. I wanted to include that element as well in the book so I gave Lillian some intuitive abilities," said Ms. Ireland.

Death Takes Center Stage won the 2012 fiction contest sponsored by Atlanta Publisher BookLogix, which was announced at the Decatur Book Festival, the country's largest independent book festival.

Ms. Ireland will do a short presentation and personalize books. This event is free and open to the public.

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