Courtesy Photo The cast of Rogers City Community Theatre’s “Death By Design: A Comedy with Songs and Murder” rehearses earlier this week. Pictured from left to right are Carrie Wilson, Denise Perrault, Carol Rundell, Bill Powell, Ed Perrault, Pennie Hoeft, Magnus Wilson, and Theresa Gibson.

Murder, music, and mayhem take the stage Friday in Rogers City Community Theatre’s “Death By Design: A Comedy with Songs and Murder.”

The musical is a wildly funny comedy that’s exquisitely crafted in the style of British playwright Noel Coward with a major added twist — an Agatha Christie-style “whodunit” murder mystery. Playwright Rob Urbinati must have had as much fun writing this comedy as the actors have had rehearsing it.

“Death By Design” is intentionally written in Coward’s high-brow style, complete with interesting, over-drawn characters, brilliant comic repartee, a couple of delightful songs, wonderfully incisive social commentary, and some low-brow, comic pratfalls just to round out the evening. Plus there’s the Agatha Christie element: a country estate full of mysterious guests isolated by a snipped telephone wire.

The time is 1932, and the setting is the country home of Edward and Sorel Bennett. Bill Powell plays Edward, a world-weary playwright with a penchant for wit, and upper-class charm. His actress wife, Sorel, is played by Carol Rundell and she is captivating indeed –beautiful, poised, flashy and with an insatiable desire to be admired.

Their home is soon to be invaded by vivid characters, each etched indelibly by Urbinati’s comic pen. First is the stuffy politician Walter Pierce, enamored with Sorel and intent on starting an affair. Magnus Wilson captures him in all his smugness. Then the mad radical Erica intrudes. Theresa Gibson is brilliant in her portrayal, bringing high energy and the enthusiasm of the truly dedicated, if somewhat crazy. Next to impose herself on the party is Victoria Van Roth, a bohemian dancer and artist, played by Pennie Hoeft, whose impromptu dance recital is a comic masterpiece. The final intruder is Alice, played by Denise Perrault, lovable, half-blind, and intent on no good.

Last but by no means least is “the help” — Jack the chauffeur, well-played by Ed Perrault, and Bridget the Irish maid, superbly played by Carrie Wilson. These two are not merely extras, but lead characters in the ensemble cast, where one of them is murdered, and all of them are suspects. Jack is crucial to surprising plot developments, and Bridget runs the household, and the Bennetts, with an iron hand, as well as playing the detective who uncovers the real perpetrator.

Director Karl W. Heidemann says, “I’m so happy to have such a riotous cast to put on such a wonderful show. It’s one of the funniest plays I’ve ever seen.”

Other production members include Assistant Director Mike Marx, and Stage Manager Cathy Kavenaugh.

Performance dates are Oct. 25 thru Nov. 3, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at Rogers City Theater, 257 N. 3rd St. in Rogers City.

This play is rated PG-13 for adult innuendos and mild language.

“Death By

Design: A

Comedy with Songs and

Murder”

Presented by

Rogers City Community Theatre this weekend and Nov. 1-3

at 7:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday

and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $12 per adult, and $6 per student.

For tickets, call the box office at 708-808-RCCT (7228). Visit

www.rcctheatre.org.