A murder mystery with a twist is on stage at Yakima Valley College this fall! YVC Playmasters’ production of “The Play That Goes Wrong,” combines the classic elements of a whodunit with the slapstick comedy of “The Three Stooges.” The show opened on November 14 with performances November 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. and November 17 at 2 p.m. Alicia Bickley, drama instructor, directs the production with technical direction from instructor Ray Pritchard.
“I was looking for a crowd pleaser that isn’t a musical,” says Bickley on her selection of the show. “Between Yakima’s high schools and the Warehouse Theatre, as well as YVC Playmasters’ own productions, Yakima audiences see musicals year-round, and while audiences aren’t complaining, I know that some of the better-known comedies can also be just as fun to watch.”
Noah Price as Inspector Carter during YVC's opening night of The Play That Goes Wrong.
The comedy, written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, centers on opening night of the Cornley University Drama Society’s newest production, “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” where things quickly go from bad to utterly disastrous. The 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show — an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines).
The play highlights classic murder mystery alongside slapstick or broad comedy.
“I believe what makes this play special depends on why a theatre company wants to produce it,” said Bickley. “What makes it special for me is that while I love to watch broad comedies, I do not typically direct them.”
Forlorn Florence Colleymoore, played by YVC student Allyson Maddock, grieves the loss
of fiancé Charles Haversham.
Bickley considers directing the play as a personal challenge, one that she rose to.
“I keep telling my colleague, Ray, and even told my cast, that it’s really a ‘Ray’ show and one I would be expecting him to be at the helm, because he has directed several memorable productions within that genre,” says Bickley. “I love that I get to work on a play with Ray in a genre he loves, but this time with me as the director.”
YVC’s cast includes students Dalilah Nelson (Annie), Duke Walker (Trevor), Matt Blanchard (Max/Cecil Haversham and Arthur the Gardener), Liam White (Robert/Thomas Colleymoore) and Allyson Maddock (Sandra/Florence Colleymoore) and community members Noah Price (Chris/Inspector Carter), Thomas Simpson (Dennis and Perkins the Butler), Matt Marquez (Jonathan/Charles Haversham, the deceased) and Brooke Mason (stage crew).
Cast members Matt Blanchard, Brooke Mason and Thomas Simpson bumble through the doorway
to get onstage.
“This play is different because it begins even before the audience enters the auditorium,” said Bickley.
Tickets are $10 when purchased online and $15 at the door. Purchase tickets online now. For more information contact Alicia Bickley at abickley@yvcc.edu.
Story and photos by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA ’05, communications consultant.