ÃÛѨÊÓƵ Theatre presents
Improvising Murder! A Homicidal Comedy
Performance dates: Oct. 22–24 and Oct. 29–30 at 7:30 p.m. | Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at 2 p.m.
Improvising Murder!
ÃÛѨÊÓƵ Theatre will premiere Rob Urbinati’s newest murder mystery, commissioned for ÃÛѨÊÓƵ through the Ronni Lacroute Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. Picking up where Death by Design left off, Improvising Murder! A Homicidal Comedy takes us back to the English countryside manor of playwright Edward Bennett and Sorel, his vainglorious actress wife, anxiously awaiting the London theatre critic’s review of Edward’s latest play. Together with a band of wacky guests — a surrealist–inspired costume designer, a young pretentious Stanislavski–trained actor, an up–and–coming American starlet and a reporter for the Tittle Tattle — they are faced with yet another mysterious death in their midst. In an attempt to discover “who done it,” they begin to retrace and improvise all the steps leading up to the guest’s demise to hilarious effect. Directed by Janet Gupton, performance dates are Oct. 22–24 and Oct. 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. Prof. Gupton will retire at the end of this academic year so don’t miss her final production at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ, capping 26 years of creative and innovative directing credits!
Special Events:
Opening Night Reception on Thursday, Oct. 22: Please join us after the performance to meet playwright Rob Urbinati and congratulate the director, cast, crew and creative team with wine and light refreshments. And help us celebrate ÃÛѨÊÓƵ Theatre’s 106th season of live theatre!
“Q & A” with Playwright Rob Urbinati on Friday, Oct. 23: After the performance, the director and cast, along with the playwright, will field “from page to stage” questions about the world premiere of Improvising Murder and what’s next for this play. The discussion is free but tickets are required to attend the performance.
ÃÛѨÊÓƵ Theatre Alumni Appreciation Night, Friday, Oct. 30: To celebrate the retirement of Professor Janet Gupton, ÃÛѨÊÓƵ alumni who participated in the ÃÛѨÊÓƵ Theatre Program from 2000–2026 are encouraged to attend the performance on October 30. After the performance, search for the “easter eggs” from past productions hidden in plain sight on the set of Improvising Murder. Light refreshments will be served as we raise a toast to Dr. Gupton’s career at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ!
Halloween Costume Contest, Saturday, Oct. 31: Start your trick or treating early at the matinee performance of Improvising Murder and come in your favorite Art Deco costume (in keeping with the setting of the play) or other Halloween costume. Stay for the costume contest after the performance with prizes for winners in various categories. Prizes will include gift certificates, free tickets to Into the Woods, and “bragging rights” for best costume!
about this show
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Cast and Creative Team Cast: Zoe Hertlein, Echo Koons, Seth Larsen, Parker Maly, Tony Pascalar, Dominic Thompson and Eleanor Walters.
Stage manager: Cameron Rameriz
Lighting designer: Natalie Navoa
Sound designer: Saniyah Ayala
Costume designer: Victoria Breazeale
Hair and makeup designer: Instructional associate Laurel Peterson
Scenic designer: Professor Derek Lane
Properties designers: Professors Derek Lane and Janet Gupton
Special help on set dressing: Professor emeritus Ty Marshall
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Box Office information Tickets are $14 for full price; $12 for seniors (62+) and ÃÛѨÊÓƵ faculty and staff; and $10 for students 13+ (any school).
on October 7 at noon. The box office will open on October 20 at 3 p.m. Located in Ford Hall, the box office hours are 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. on performance nights and from noon to 2 p.m. for matinees. We encourage you to order online with our digital ticket or print–at–home option. Seating is reserved. Please call 503-883-2292 for more information. The performance is approximately two hours. Children under the age of seven (including babes in arms) will not be admitted to any performance.
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Warnings This play may not be suitable for all audiences due to mature themes. Recommended for ages 13 and older.
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Accessibility The Marshall Theatre is accessible. Please contact the box office for help with accessible seating. For more information, call 503.883.2292.
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Sponsorship This play is presented by the ÃÛѨÊÓƵ Theatre Program. Improvising Murder! A Homicidal Comedy was commissioned for ÃÛѨÊÓƵ through the Ronni Lacroute Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. Rob Urbinati’s playwright residency is sponsored by the Lacroute Arts Series at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ. The Lacroute Arts Series is made possible by the generosity of arts benefactor Ronni Lacroute. The series, sponsored by the Lacroute Arts Fund at ÃÛѨÊÓƵ, is dedicated to helping the university present art events and activities for the campus and community. It provides programs featuring artists in the areas of music, art and theatre.
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Directions To reach from Hwy. 99W in south McMinnville, turn east on Keck Drive at Albertson’s. Take Keck Drive to Lever Street and turn right. Take the next immediate right at Ford Drive into the theatre parking lot. Ford Hall is located at the west end of the parking lot.
Playwrights Welcome
is a program created to provide free access to theatre for theatre writers around the country. Developed for the Dramatists Guild of America members, this national ticketing initiative was created by Samuel French, a Concord Theatricals company, along with input from other publishing and licensing houses. To receive a ticket through Playwrights Welcome at our theatre, please contact the box office up to 24 hours before the performance. Writers must present their Dramatists Guild membership card when obtaining a ticket.
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