Imagine reading an advertisement in the local newspaper that announced an upcoming murder — that’s the impetus for the cast of characters in “A Murder Announced,” the Bigfork Community Players’ fall production.  

The Players are taking on the Agatha Christie mystery, which follows Detective Jane Marple in a quaint 1950’s English village as she tries to untie the mystery, according to a release. When the time and place of an upcoming murder is announced in the newspaper, the locals start to spin out. The residents of the Little Paddocks boarding house recognize that the place is their home and the time is tonight.  

“Is it a joke? Or is someone going to be killed? And each wonders: Is it someone else or is it me? The answer to that question is just the beginning of the mystery,” the release continues.  

Director Dave Vale said the play is considered to be a “cozy” mystery, which means it will have some comedy mixed in. 

“It's a cozy mystery, which means that somebody gets killed, but you leave with a smile on your face. I mean, murder can be fun,” Vale said. “And it's a classic cozy mystery. There's lots of clues, lots of misdirection, lots of red herring and that's something that everybody is supposed to take a shot at figuring out.” 

He added that it’s fine enough to sit back and watch it all unfold.  

As a longtime member of the Community Players, Vale stepped up to the plate to direct this year.

“I’m coaching this one instead of playing in the game. And I’m happy to have a team of talented actors devoted to their craft for this production. Good timing is essential for a comedy. Fastidious attention to detail is the demand of mystery. For this play, featuring both humor and mystery, it’s good to have a cast with both talents,” Vale said.  

Scott Plotkin and Patty Thiel, husband and wife in real life, play the two detectives in the play. Plotkin, as Inspector Craddock, the by-the-book official detective, reasons his way through the twisted plot.  

“I enjoy offering the creative prod that Scott — Excuse me, that Inspector Craddock — occasionally needs to stay on track,” offers Patty Thiel, who plays Miss Marple. “I’m having a lot of fun with this play.” 

Michele Mank, the assistant director, plays Letitia Blacklock, the owner of the boarding house in which the murder takes place.  

“As the landlady, I am in touch with virtually all the characters in this play and the detectives find me a rich source of information. But, as the rules of evidence dictate, everything they learn has to be corroborated,” Mank said.  

The humor in this play stems mostly from the tangled efforts of the innocent trying not to look guilty. So cozy mystery buffs be assured that although someone will die, the play has a happy ending and audiences will leave wearing smiles rather than tears, Vale said.  

The play runs two weekends, starting on Oct. 17. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.  

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and senior citizens, and $5 for anyone under 12 years old. Tickets are available at Bigfork Drug, at the door starting an hour before each performance, and online at BigforkCommunityPlayers.com.