Kirk Players to present murder mystery comedy

The Kirk Players will open their 61st season with the hilarious comedy “An Old-Fashioned Family Murder.”

Written by two-time Tony winner Joe DiPietrol, the show is a mixed-genre bundle of traditional film noir mystery, clever characters and uproarious laughs, breaking the rules of standard murder mysteries and offering audiences a bit of suspense and a rollicking good time.

The show is directed by Randy Margison, who helmed last season’s hit, “Twelve Angry Jurors.” Included in the cast are Kirk Players regulars Jon Matousek as Arthur Wittington, Jessica Motyka as Clarice Claythorne, James Torbeck as Detective Paul Peck, Rebby VanSickel as Dotty Claythorne, Luke Rush as Jasper Jamison and Grethen Grassl as Shirley Peck, with Shannon Nazzal taking on the understudy to Clarice. The assistant director is Peter Grassl, the stage manager is Chris Brouton and the assistant stage manager is Tracy Skinner. The technical director for the show is Teresa Schryver.

The show debuted in 2024 with Sally Struthers (of “All in the Family”) as the lead, and received rave reviews, with Broadway World calling the World Premiere a “delicious new farce.” According to a Kirk Players spokesperson, “It’s the perfect season opener, offering a solid mystery coupled with lots of laughs, and is perfect for an old-fashioned autumn entertainment.”

“An Old-Fashioned Family Murder” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7, 13 and 14; and 2 p.m. Nov. 8 and 15 at West Oak Middle School, 26156 N. Acorn Lane, in Mundelein. For tickets and information, go to kirkplayers.org.