NEWS RELEASE COLLEGE Office of College Relations • Otterbein College • Westerville, Ohio 43081 (614) 898-1600 • Patricia Kessler, Director July 7, 1986 GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT FOR IMMF,r)TATE RET .F,ASK Anthony Shaffer's long-running Broadway success "Whodunnit" makes its Central Ohio premiere to close the 20th anniversary season of Otterbein Summer Theatre on a high mystery/comedy note. The spoof has all the trappings of a classic English murder mystery from the 1930s country house setting to the cast of archtypes, which includes a stuffy barrister, an eccentric archeologist, and of course, the butler. Intended to be a witty parody of Agatha Christie thrillers, "Whodunnit" treats audiences to an evening of wacky intrigue. The author of Tony award-winning "Sleuth " Shaffer has created this satirical murder mystery just for fun, with a plot that doesn't stop twisting and turning. Guest artist Ed Vaughan, also the producer/managing director of Otterbein Summer Theatre, will be featured in the production. A 1971 Otterbein graduate and currently an assistant professor in the school's department of Theatre and Dance, Vaughan was the first professional actor to appear in Otterbein Summer Theatre under the Actors Equity guest artist program as Pseudulous in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Among other summer theatre appearances, Vaughan has been featured in "Harvey," "Witness for the Prosecution," and last summer's "Terra Nova." "Whodunnit" revolves around a colorful group of eight gathered in an English mansion for a weekend as guests of a woman vdio is not yet present, and may not exist at all. One by one, the members of the group ~ from the pompous rear admiral to an upper-crust call girl beccme targets for a loathscane foreigner and blackmailer, who knows that each of his fellow guests would least want disclosed. -more- Add 1-1-1 The inspector arrives with typical aplcanb to imcover clues and solve the mystery. Once again, audiences will be invited to vote for the murderer of their choice, with the winner of each nightly drawing frc*n the right guesses, taking hone a pair of tickets to the opening production of Otterbein's upcoming winter theatre season. Under the direction of guest artist Dennis Rcsner, the satirical "Whodunnit" premises to be great fun and will keep you guessing whodunnit. Romer, also a '71 Otterbein alumnus, is an active Los Angeles director and producer and television actor. He was featiired earlier this season in "Plenty." 1977 Otterbein graduate David Weller, who also designed the set of "The Foreigner," has created the perfect Victorian setting, complete with dark paneling and heavy tapestries. A free-lance designer, he most recently was involved with the design of "Isn't It Romantic?," for the Washington Arena Stage. Weller has created a variety of sets for companies across the country, including "The Middle Ages" for"Nassau Repertory Cempany," "Romantic Comedy" for the Birmingham Theatre, and the national tour of "Tintypes." David Robinson, Otterbein class of 1978, has returned to create the costxjmes for the production. The successful designer has worked for such diverse groups as Caesar's Palace in Atlantic City, Hanna Rahn's Modem Dance Company, as well as for his first film, "Nightmare Cabaret." "Whodunnit" will be presented at 8:30 p.m. Tues., July 29, through Sat., Aug. 2, with a special Sunday evening performance at 7:00 p.m. In addition, two weekend matinees are set for Sat., Aug. 2, and Sun., Aug. 3, at 2:30 p.m. To reserve your ticket, call or visit the Campus Center box office (890-3028), open 12:30-9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. -30-.