Stop and smell the coffee: Something is percolating at the Sunset Theatre

Philip Shore

Randolph Hub

ASHEBORO – We have passed from the “Coffee Tea or Me” era and into that fragrant time of high-dollar Coffee and Murder. To wit: The Café Mocha Murders as presented by RSVP Community Theatre at the Sunset Theatre this weekend and the next. Y’all better investigate this before it boils over.

The Café is staffed with bright young players under the fine direction of Tammy Wilcox and in the care of able technicians. And, as always, the City of Asheboro is a major partner in this endeavor.  

The baristas for this brew are Aly Stephenson-Allred, Nathan Stilin, Brandon Rancourt, Marcia James, Starla Hughes, Erica Eul, Landon Allmon, Alanna Cheek and Daniel Bressler. 

Lights are by Stephen Ellison, sound by Ethan Everhart, produced by His Eminence Justin Tarlton, with Philip Schuyler managing the stage with aplomb.

“Café Mocha Murders” was written by Deanna Strasse, who, though a relatively new playwright, has published nine full-length pieces. She is Milwaukee-based and has a lifelong history of wanting to be totally immersed in the business of the theatre: Acting, directing, owning a performance company (which, she says, takes a special kind of crazy). Her style has been described as “Neil Simon meets Edward Albee” — wit mixed with heartbreak and the intricacies of relationships. She describes her work a marriage of overlooked stories with everyday happenstance. 

She doesn’t write “big plays” but dramas that take place around a table or in a living room or in small coffee bar, there being plenty of pitfalls and minefields even in those places.

Her life experience is varied: Actor, teacher, tulip bulb salesperson, bank teller, puppeteer, Dungeon Master, hair and wig aficionado, poet, cancer survivor. Heaven knows what else we may find her experiencing in the future. Oh, and she has a short film listed on IMDb.  

"Café Mocha Murders" premiered at the American Association of Community Theatre’s AACT Play Fest by Golden Chain Theatre in Oakhurst, California. It is being produced in many locations around the United States. Asheboro is one up on Milwaukee — the play has yet to be produced there.

In chatting with the cast, one can learn just how much fun is being had in rehearsals, fun which will be shared with audiences shortly. 

A couple of names you will recognize right off the bat. Michele Dawes is in charge of props, which in this case means seeing to the presence (and removal) of an unknown quantity of coffee-shop stuff. Philip Schuyler, Stage Manager, is onstage just out of sight in the wings keeping the flow of actor traffic running smoothly. 

Several of the cast have graduated into RSVP from a very fine training apparatus called RYTC, where they have learned of the various disciplines involved in play-craft. Nathan, for instance, was recently in Into the Woods as were Alanna and Landon. The skills learned there shine in this show. 

Erica is a first-timer. She has had such a good time she knows she’ll be trying out again in the future. Aly is also brand-new to the group but has extensive school and church play experience. We also welcome Marcia James and Starla Hughes to the the RSVP stage.

Of course, there are couple of veterans in the mix. Dan Bressler has broad experience with RSVP but began in local community theatre with a special program written by local poet and writer Barbara Presnell entitled The Serial Killer’s Daughter. Dan also works with the City of Asheboro’s Ghost Walk. Brandon Rancourt’s first show was Look Homeward, Angel directed by Alisa Smith McNeill, the co-producer of this show.  

Director Tammy Wilcox is entitled to a fuller explication of her role. “The first books I really remember and that stuck with me since childhood were the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew novels. Along came Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle and I was thoroughly hooked on murder and mayhem! With my interest in all aspects of theatre, directing has been on my horizon for quite some time. I am delighted that my first opportunity is this highly caffeinated coffee comedy/murder mystery. 

“This show is very subtle in some respects and very slapstick in others. We have a great cast with which to engage in this community project. We have been well-supported by local businesses — Nannie Mae’s, Till Death Press, Time Square Pizza and Fortuna Enterprises have all been very helpful. Your community role is to come join in the hilarious murder and mayhem.”

Performances will take place on at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 1-2 and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 in the Historic Sunset Theatre on Sunset Avenue. Prices are $14-$17 for adults; $9-$12 for Seniors, Youth or Military. Tickets are available at the door by cash, check or card. Tickets are also available at Brightside Gallery, 170 Worth Street, at the same prices for cash or check. No cards (but also, no fees). Online tickets may be purchased at: https://buytickets.at/rsvpcommunitytheatre/1412998 

Questions? Call 336-736-8714. It isn’t Shakespeare, but you will find this play mocha do about a very good time.