MCC Theater stages first show, 'Agatha Crispie,' since tragic loss of instructor

On stage this week is the McCook Community College Theater production of ‘Agatha Crispie’ Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Actors include (front row from left): Kim Johnson, Mary Kain, Beth Hoyt, Emily Karr. (Back row): Ryan Wilson, Will Babbitt, Lindi Johnson and Luis Guardado.

Courtesy photo

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College Theater Department is staging "Agatha Crispie" this week with performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Weeth Theater in Tipton Hall on campus and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

This will be MCC’s first production since the unexpected death in February of instructor Clay Grizzle.

Volunteers stepped forward to help cover Grizzle’s classes and theater schedule.

Rachel Gordine will direct the play with JeriLynn Karr and Kim Johnson assisting. Pam Messinger will help with costuming, and Darrin Karr will run sound and lights.

The cast includes: Lindi Johnson, Beth Hoyt, Will Babbitt, Mary Kain, Kim Johnson, Emily Karr, Luis Guardado, and Ryan Wilson.

The story is set in the south-west of England, where the unknown writer, Agatha Crispie, pens mystery stories. In vain she longs for their publication.

Agatha's family despise her writing and ridicule her plots until she gets a lucky break -- a body is found in the library.

When the police arrive, so does a grey-haired spinster with a knack for solving crimes as does a dapper foreigner with a knack for solving mysteries and a detective from Scotland Yard.

With pressure mounting, Agatha disappears.

This production includes a dead body, a suspect or three, amateur sleuths, red herrings and dithering cops -- just like the life and characters of another scribbler, the slightly better-known Agatha Christie.

There is no admission charge. Free-will donations will be accepted at the door.