Wichita Community Theatre plays up campy ‘Musical Comedy Murders’

The watchwords for Wichita Community Theatre’s production of “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” have been “genuinely campy.”

“It may seem like an oxymoron, but the characters on stage are fully in belief of all the absurdities that are happening,” director Ben Bolinger said.

The production, which opens next week, was previously staged by WCT in 2011. Guests arrive at a Chappaqua, N.Y., mansion in 1940 for a backer’s audition for the musical “White House Merry-Go Round,” unaware the maid has been murdered.

“It’s a wonderfully chaotic murder mystery-comedy full of secret passageways, lots of secret-identity vibes,” Bolinger said. “It’s a really fun time, with lots of jokes that although it’s set in the ‘40s are really applicable and really funny at this current time and place we find ourselves in.”

Although it’s not a musical, there are “nice little moments sprinkled throughout,” Bolinger said.

“It’s more of a plot device than anything else,” he added.

Cast members include Abbigail Luchsinger, who plays chorus girl Nikki Crandall.

“It’s very clever, and it’s definitely an ensemble piece, which is exciting,” she said.

Joshua Rosenberg plays comedian Eddie McCuen, a direct takeoff on Bob Hope, whose movies supply some of the fodder for the script. Rosenberg was in the cast of “Musical Comedy Murders” when he was in high school, but in a different role.

“I just remember having a really good time. There are so many good bits and jokes and chases in it,” he said.

‘THE MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS OF 1940’

When: Jan. 22 to Feb. 1; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: Wichita Community Theatre, 258 N. Fountain

Tickets: $20, discounts for students, seniors and military; $16 for opening night, from wichitact.org