Murder by Membership Only
2023
This murder mystery-comedy occurs in the exclusive Orczy Club, an "inner sanctum" for women mystery writers in London. Most of them hate the arrogant Octavia Sturges, the most successful mystery writer of the day, so it is no surprise when she is found dead—poisoned by one of the poisons she was so fond of using in her stories. But what happens now? Should these specialists in murder try to solve the case themselves—at the risk of their own lives, since obviously the murderer is one of them—or should they call Scotland Yard? "How would it look if a roomful of mystery writers had to go to the police to solve a murder that took place under their very noses?" one of the characters in this play asks. The group decides to solve the murder themselves. Those present are the owner of the club, (a "big name" herself some years ago), two other writers, a critic, a journalist, a visitor from America who has just had her first mystery novel published, the cook (whose food Sturges hates), and Sturges' long-suffering secretary. It is no surprise when Sturges turns up murdered. Each of the remaining eight have an untold secret which causes suspicion to rise and there are many other surprises in this intriguing mystery play filled with humor, suspense, and fun for the audience in trying to guess "whodunit?"
Four of the nine roles have been double cast, so audiences will have the opportunity to see two slightly different interpretations. Playing the plain-spoken and somewhat mischievous paperback writer Hester Tandy is Kohl Comtess (Montpelier) and Stefanie Seng (Waterbury). At odds with Hester in temperament and style is Clarice Furgusson, played by Cynthia Seckler (North Fayston) and Danielle Dukette (North Fayston). The current grand dame of the mystery writing world, Octavia Sturges, is played by Roberta Harold (Montpelier), and her secretary with a secret, Lydia Beaton, is played by Marci Robinson (Warren) and Mikki Nucci (Waitsfield). Playing the young, newly published writer from America is Irene (Reenie) Halibozek (Essex Junction) in her first on-stage role for the Valley Players. Halibozek is usually found in the lighting booth and in addition to her major role has also designed the lighting for the show.
Providing astute observation of the group is Mrs. Plimpton (no first name given), played by Marie Schmukal (Warren) and Carrie Phillips (Waterbury). Portraying May Cobbs, a young photo-journalist out to get an exclusive story on Mrs. Sturges, is Anna Brundage (Waterbury), and Charlotte Robinson (Warren) plays the temperamental cook, Mrs. Balser. Rounding out the cast as the warm and convivial Madame LeCoq, owner of the club, is Joanne Puente (Worcester).
Director - Ruth Ann Pattee; Stage Manager - Joanne Puente; Set Build Crew Chief - Mikki Nucci; Lighting Design - Irene Halibozek.
