The Newberry Community Players opens its 35th season at The Ritz Theater Friday with the humorous mystery entitled “Soapy Murder Case.”

Director Danielle Shull says “’Soapy Murder Case’ is what happens when ‘Clue’ meets ‘Days of Our Lives.’ It’s a classic, comedic who-done-it.”

The cast of the soap opera “The Best Tears of Our Lives” gathers for a dinner party at the home of the show’s sponsor, Mr. Tucker (of Tucker’s Tasty Pudding Powder and All-Purpose Detergent), who fears that his life is in danger.

Tucker has been sent a note saying that a clue to his killer is in the next episode of “The Best Tears of Our Lives” so he demands the cast act out the episode. People begin to die and high jinks ensue.

Who will survive the dinner party? Who is really behind the murders? Attend this weekend to find out more.

Cast

NCP veteran Chris Wells portrays the testy Mr. Tucker. Peggie West plays the maid Mrs. Naugahide, “like the imitation leather.” She says, “I enjoy doing plays at The Ritz. You come together on the first night as strangers and by the time the play is running for real you are a big family.”

Newberry College Theater grad and NCP veteran Jessica Draeger is the “all-about-the-pudding-sales” producer who loves to “chop, chop, chop” the cast members whose ratings drop.

Stanley Booker, a Newberry High School senior, is the “The Best Tears of Our Lives” director. Both Brandy Blanton (who plays Jessica Courtney, the young Erica Cain of the show) and K.C. Cody (Dr. Brock Rittenhouse, the heartthrob who lives his role around the clock), were last seen on the NCP stage in “High School Musical.”

Technical Director for “High School Musical” Evan Connelly was last on the stage at NCP as the pastor in “Sanders Family Christmas.” Connelly’s role in “Soapy Murder Case” is David Summerset, the cop from Pleasant Pine Valley.

Deb Wells, who is a mother of two and grandmother of four herself, portrays the saintly mother figure Mona La Mooch. Ditzy Dottie Duncan will be played by both Newberry College senior Betsy Burriss and Newberry High senior Summers Binnicker. Dottie’s love interest is college student, Phil, played by Jared Tranthem.

Danielle Shull, who also directed “Ladies of Rosemont” this summer, is at the helm for this production. Along with the cast, she says that her favorite part is the soap opera episode within the play. She says, “It frees up the cast to be totally over-the-top, which is, of course, funnier.”

Production Dates

“Soapy Muder Case” runs this weekend, Friday through Sunday and next weekend, Nov. 13-15. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. All productions are at The Ritz Theater in downtown Newberry at 1511 Main St.

Tickets

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students, seniors, or military. Groups of 15 or more can receive tickets for $8 each. The Ritz Theater Box Office opens one hour before each show accepting cash/check.

Season Tickets

“Soapy Murder Case” is the first production where season tickets can be used. Season Tickets are still for sale at The Ritz Box Office or by calling 924-7058. Season tickets are $45 and include: “Soapy Murder Case,” Readers Theater: “A Christmas Carol,” Readers Theater: “An Evening With A.A. Milne,” a Young Players production, plus “Always Patsy Cline.”

Advance Ticket

Outlet

The Newberry Opera House Box Office will be selling advance tickets during their regular business hours. Per their regular policy, $3 will be charged for phone or Internet orders (per transaction not per ticket). Call 276-6264 for more information or visit www.newberryoperahouse.com.

The Ritz Gallery

The second Saturday of the production (Nov. 14) the Ritz lobby will be the location for a Meet the Artist Wine & Cheese Party from 6:30 to the 8 p.m. curtain. New this year, NCP is inviting local Newberry County artists to showcase their pieces in The Ritz Lobby. Call 924-7058 to submit your work for consideration.