By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – A murder mystery in the finest tradition of dinner theater is set for May 5 at the 6 p.m. at the Niles Inn.
This is the way, Cathy Heide, one of the volunteer cast of "I'm Getting Murdered in the Morning" describes the play being produced as a fundraiser for the Niles Kiwanis scholarship fund.
"The Four Flags Players who are participating are volunteering their acting services to the event to help the local Kiwanis. Some of the Kiwanis members themselves will be acting in the play. Mike Hauser will be the wedding deejay and Greg Schuman is appearing as the groom," Heide said.
Attendees at the dinner theater will be included in the action as guests of the wedding party.
A real whodunit, the identity of the murder victim and even the role played by some of the actors is being carefully guarded.
The plot centers around the wedding of oft-married society bride Brenda Anne Marie, played by Cari Smith, to Schuman's character Edward Crock. The father of the bride, Harold Montegue, aka Ron Goodwin seems to have taken a particular liking to the mother of the groom, Sheila Coquette, Heide.
The bride's mother, Mildred Montegue – Four Flags Player Marty Smith – is less than impressed.
To add to Mrs. Montegue's distress, the Montegue family had "old" money while Mrs. Coquette is someone Heide described as "nouveaux riche" from trailer park stock. Her husband had won their money in a power ball lottery then promptly died.
The widow then changed her name to Coquette from Crock, which makes her even more suspicious in the eyes of Madam Montegue.
Add to the mix a society gossip columnist, a relentless detective, a pregnant maid of honor and other quirky characters and those fortunate enough to secure tickets are guaranteed a fun evening according to Heide.
Heide is co-producing the play with Marty Smith. The production is ensemble-directed.
Rehearsals are currently under way at the Niles Presbyterian Church each Monday. Kiwanis members are selling tickets to the dinner theater.