Local playwright debuts rock ‘n’ roll mystery at Williamsville Hall

WILLIAMSVILLE - “Midnight in Vermont,” a traditional whodunnit in the vein of golden age mysteries, will have its premiere with the Rock River Players at the Williamsville Hall, 35 Dover Road, with performances on Friday and Saturday, November 7 and 8, and 14 and 15, at 7 pm; and Sunday, November 16, at 2 pm. This is believed to be the first production of a full-length mystery written by a Vermont playwright, local author and director Michael Nethercott, whose published works include two suspense novels and stories in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.
“Midnight in Vermont” revolves around the untimely death of rock singer Virgil Eastman, former leader of the popular 1970s band, The Midnight Rides.
The story begins with a present-day séance interrupted by an unexpected spirit, which incites a narrative shift back to August 1983. The aunt of the recently-deceased has gathered Eastman’s former bandmates and associates, determined to address suspicions that the recent death was no accident.
The suspects all harbor secrets and motives. As tensions and suspicions mount, the characters are stuck in the isolated home, with departure blocked by an impending tornado (a historical true event). Now, with no escape and a killer potentially present, the past must be faced and the truth about Eastman’s death uncovered.
The cast includes Emmadora Boutcher, Susan Boyd Joyce, Amy Donahue, James Duffy, Denise Evans, Alex Lacey, Helena Leschuk, Ann Linge, Laura Lockie, Aaron Morse, Shey Nessralla, Dawn Slade, Addison Rice, Isabella Watkins, and Chris Wehrman.
Michael Nethercott is directing with assistance from Helena Leschuk; Amy Donahue is producing with assistance from Isabella Watkins; Shey Nessralla and Jess Guerrero, set design and construction; and Peter Broussard and Bree Lacey, tech design and operation.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.rockriverplayers.org. The hall is ADA compliant.