“Murder by the Book” to Kick Off Spring Theater Season

by Rachael Edler

The Concordia Curtain Club started the new year preparing for their production of “Murder by the Book” by Craig Sodaro.

“Murder by the Book” is about the Raven Society, a secret group of some of the world’s greatest authors which meets annually to select the best and worst mystery novels of the year. The meeting is held at Emily Dickinson’s house. During the three-day meeting, the authors disguise themselves as their favorite writers to hide their true identities. Several murders turn Dickinson’s house into a place of terror. One of the authors is trying to remove the competition, and the Raven Society must find out who it is.

“The show is a comedy and a mystery combined into one,” junior Emily Kollbaum said. “I’m excited to put on a comedy that all ages can connect to. It’s got a lot of literary puns that older people who have read the books will get, but it’s also got a lot of physical comedy that younger people will get, so it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Dressed as famous authors, the actors will interact with the audience as they take on the characters’ mannerisms.

“This play is a fun murder mystery. It gives the audience an opportunity to play along and engage with the clues which the characters find and help them solve the murder,” director Bryan Moore said.

Members of the Raven Society include Edgar Allen Poe (played by sophomore Ben Leeper), Mark Twain (freshman Joshua Brumm), Charlotte Bronte (junior Emily Kollbaum), Louisa May Alcott (freshman Madeline Luehr), Mary Shelley (junior Brianna Bossle), Arthur Conan Doyle (senior Collin Christiansen), Agatha Christie (senior Elyssia Finch), Emily Dickinson (sophomore Cadence Klemp), William Shakespeare (junior Mason Koeritz), and Violia Danglon (sohpomore Andrea Wiese).

The play will show Feb. 26-28 in the Black Box Theater. Tickets and ticket prices will be available by mid-February.