MARION, Va. – Marion’s Royal Oak Players are all wound up to present “Hickory Dickory Dead” on May 16-17 in the Lincoln Theatre in Marion. If past experience and a look at one of their rehearsals is any clue, it ought to be a laugh-a-minute hoot.
Although “Hickory Dickory Dead” sounds like Agatha Christy, it isn’t, but it has all the elements so cherished by the grande dame of murderous mayhem: an isolated country inn, raging blizzard, cut telephone lines, gunshots, things going bump all night long and, of course, a full serving of whacky guests and residents – none of whom are who or what they say they are.
For fans of Joanie McCleary, Lesia Harris and Debbie Peak – including yours truly – be prepared to whoop it up at the antics and fine acting ability of these whacky darlings. Of course, the delightful threesome will have some fierce competition for laughs from Maria Giovanni, Ryan Gray, Ron Thomas and Jeanette Winston. And who could forget Mark Merz, one of the more dastardly villains going? All he needs is a mustache to twirl.
Director Charlie Sturgill is tasked with herding this group of actors, and he seems to have the bunch of them well on their way to having the audience yowling with laughter.
“Hickory Dickory Dead” has no moral, no insights into the depths of human depravity and no socially relevant commentary. It’s just entertainment, pure and simple, and what’s wrong with that?
The technical and backstage folks include: Kenny Edwards, Carolyn Cattle, Debbie Spencer, Amanda Walters, Regina Davidson, David Peake, Rowan Thomas, Bryan Taylor, Jim Routh and Jason Harris.
For tickets, contact any of the Royal Oak Players or just show up on Friday or Saturday. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. each evening.
Robert McKinney is a freelance writer. Contact him at features@bristolnews.com.
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