Angie Lowe, co-director of L’arc en Ciel Theatre Group’s production of the musical mystery-comedy “Something’s Afoot,” is well-versed with the material.
In the fall of 1981, Lowe, along with her husband, Paul Lowe, brought it to the stage when the pair oversaw the Lake Central Theatre Guild. They revived it at the high school a decade ago, before the Lowes left the campus confines and formed L’arc en Ciel.
According to Lowe, the third time around is proving to be charming for her, her husband, and the wacky whodunit.
“We enjoyed it so much back then and we’re enjoying it now,” she said. “The characters are so stylized and, right now, everyone is at the ages of the characters that are required for the show.”
Opening Jan. 20 and running through Feb. 3 at Cedar Lake’s Great Oaks After Four Club, “Afoot” is a comedic and musical tribute to the mystery novels of genre pioneer Agatha Christie, most notably her classic tome “Ten Little Indians.”In “Afoot,” guests invited to a manor are murdered, and it’s up to the survivors, who are dwindling in number, to find the killer.
“Afoot” was created for the stage in 1972 and made it to Broadway four years later. Featuring songs such as “Carry On,” “You Fell Out of the Sky” and “I Don’t Know Why I Trust You (But I Do),” “Afoot” was a hit when it made its way to London’s West End in 1977, where it was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Musical.
“It’s tongue in cheek and campy,” Lowe said. “It’s just so fun … right now, who wants serious? We want fun. Good, campy fun.”
Lynette Estes from Merrillville plays detective Miss Tweed, Crown Point’s Emerson Caress plays the butler, Clive, and Munster’s Brandon Smelko portrays Nigel, the heir to the manor, in L’arc en Ciel’s “Afoot.” Also performing are Chris King from St. John as manor caretaker Flint, Crete’s Nicci Carroll as the maid, Lettie.
“We’re all just having a ball,” Lowe said.”We’ve got a great crew for this and we’re all having a good time.”
Dinner will be served 90 minutes prior to each performance.
Next up for L’arc en Ciel Theatre Group is the Angie Lowe-penned “Spending the Kids’ Inheritance,” which is scheduled to open in April.
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