Murder, mayhem and a ladies' society come to Circle Moon

NEWPORT — What could possibly go wrong when a group of ladies decides to write and perform their very own murder mystery?

Quite a lot, as it turns out. 

Northwoods Performing Arts will present "The Marquis Crossing Ladies Society's First Attempt at Murder," a comedy by Pat Cook, beginning Friday, Oct. 9, at the Circle Moon Theatre in Newport. 

The production is directed by Joseph Chantry and Jennifer Miles. 

In Cook's fast-moving comedy, the Marquis Crossing Ladies Society for the Arts decides to create its own murder mystery after discovering that producing someone else's play means paying royalties. Their conclusion is simple: "Anybody can write a murder." 

The ladies set out to create an elaborate, operatic murder-mystery dinner theater production. But their plans take a decidedly unexpected turn when two real fugitives on the run arrive on the scene and become entangled in the group's theatrical ambitions. 

Before long, the distinction between the play they're creating and the trouble unfolding around them becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. 

The result is a comic tangle of murder plots, mistaken identities, theatrical egos, unexpected guests and the sort of escalating confusion that makes a good farce so much fun. 

Northwoods Performing Arts is presenting the production at the Circle Moon Theatre, 3645 Highway 211, Newport, Washington. 

The play is slated to run Oct. 9-10, Oct. 16 to 17 and Oct. 23-24 at the Circle Moon Theatre. Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. except for on Oct. 24, when it will be a matinee performance starting at 2 p.m. 

The popular dinner show option is $35, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m., dinner served at 6:30 p.m., and the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Show-only tickets are also available. No meal will be served Oct. 24.

Tickets may be purchased online at northwoodsperformingarts.com, by calling 208-448-1294, or in person at Seeber's Pharmacy in Newport. 

For additional information, visit northwoodsperformingarts.com.