OFP kicks off fall season with wedding who-dunnit

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DOROTHY SCHULTE
Old Fort Players

FORT MADISON - This October 8thOld Fort Players’ kicks offits 2021-2022 season with “As Long As We Both Shall Live” by Sean Grennan. The show is directed by Judy Milks, who has previously performed in “A Taffeta Christmas” for OFP.This fall’s production features the only wedding where people are dying to get on the guest list as the audience quickly discovers that ‘as long as we both shall live’ isn’t really very long at all.

Professional poker playing genius Addison Ashe, played by OFP and Youth Summer Theater Program regular, Sydney Amberger, has finally met Mr. Right. The role of the wealthy and charming Mr. Right,  Jamie Wilcox, has been filled by Sterling Barnes, fresh off his success as the lead in “Leaving Iowa.”

But marrying her soul mate means the bride must survive several confrontations with his disapproving mother. Veteran actor and Youth Theater Director, Richar Abel (“The Queen of Bingo”) is having a great time on stage as the snarky, meddlesome mother of the groom. 

Joining this talented trio is a quartet unto himself, Richard Martindale (“Vintage Hitchcock” & Carol Burnett skits). Richard plays four total parts: Raul, the flamboyant wedding planner, Paul and Dennis, the flamboyant wedding planner’s triplet brothers and Lieutenant Dobbs, the bumbling detective.

Richard Martindale lies dying as one of the four characters he plays in OFP's October production of "As Long As We Both Shall Live", a murder mystery comedy set for the Fort Madison playhouse. Courtesy photo.

Former Board President, Ty Clute rounds out the cast as Reverend Mountain, a man of God with an unhealthy fear of the dark and a few other secrets better kept in the shadows.

When the wedding planner is poisoned at the rehearsal dinner, tensions between the clever bride and her mother-in-law-to-be go from heated, to full-on inferno as Mrs. Wilcox points to Addison as the killer. Can Addison solve the case before sashaying down the aisle, or is she in for a honeymoon behind bars? 

As the cast got a look at the entire script for the first time at the read-through there were several surprised gasps at the twisty-turny ending. The hilarious verbal jousting between the bride and mother of the groom are second only to Raul’s over-the-top ideas for the ceremony and reception. Get your tickets now for this comedy/murder mystery. It’s a great who dunnit – so why missit?

“As Long As We Both Shall Live” is produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com) and runs October 8-10 & 15-17. Evening shows begin at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:00 pm. The theater will offer a discounted season ticket for the first time in many years. Season Ticket Prices: Adult: $50, Senior/Military/Vet: $40, Student: $35. They are available at www.oldfortplayers.com and at the door. Individual show tickets are also available. Adult: $15, Senior/Military/Vet: $12, Student (Age 5-17): $10. 

Leading sponsors for the season are Jim Baier Ford and Lee County Bank. Our partners include the Fort Madison Daily Democrat and Scotts. Additional funds have been provided by Connections Bank. 

Last season would have been Old Fort Players’ 40th anniversary but the celebration was postponed due to Covid. So, this will be the “40+1 Anniversary Season.” Join OFP directors, actors, crew and volunteers at the Season Launch Party on Sunday, September 26th at 6pm to officially cut the ribbon and roll out the red carpet.

The theater is located in downtown Fort Madison at 725 Avenue G. Send a Facebook message, send an email to oldfortplayersfm@gmail.com or call 319-372-9559 for more information. Like them on Facebook (Fb@oldfortplayers) or visit www.oldfortplayers.com to keep up with everything that’s going on at the theater.

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