Do you like mystery and suspense? Do you like to laugh? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you will love the latest play at Stagewest Community Playhouse. “The Butler Did It” is playing November 10th-20th. Director David Stenger is incredibly excited about this show. He says it’s a play within a play with a surprise ending.
Butler is the last name of the main character who is also the writer and director of the play within the play. He is an incredibly egotistical man who wrote a play that he thinks is absolutely phenomenal. He thinks he is incredibly clever by naming all the characters after himself and not telling the actors what happens at the end of the play. He doesn’t even tell them the end of the play which ends up backfiring on him when the tables are turned and there is an actual mystery that takes place among his cast. The show is a series of twists and turns- both the actors and audience will lose track of what is real and what is pretend which makes the conclusion surprising, bizarre, and ironic.
Dalton Benson plays the title character and he is no stranger to the stage. He’s been in numerous plays at Stage West, most recently in 12 Angry Men, this past September. He says that the most challenging part of “The Butler Did It” is the big monologue that he has towards the end of the play. It’s the longest monologue he’s ever had. It’s also tough to balance his rehearsal schedule since he is playing Tevye in Fiddler on The Roof in January which started rehearsing last month. Community theatre may be demanding, but it’s well worth it. From what I’ve seen of the rehearsals, “The Butler Did It” is going to be another stellar performance from the Stage West team.
Details: The Butler did it runs Nov 10-20 at Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd Spring Hill, FL. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. Contact the box office at 352-683-5113 for more information.