Opening Nite Theatre Society’s season opener, Art of Murder, starts with a two-for-one night on Thursday, Oct. 17.
Art of Murder is a short but fast-paced thriller that should get audiences into the Halloween spirit.
Jack and Annie Brooks are both artists. Jack is high-profile, charismatic, talented and bona-fide art star. Annie stays in and paints quietly, getting none of the admiration and accolades that are showered upon her husband.
Jack, played by Glenn Lahey with chilling ferocity, is a whirlwind of ego and entitlement, and he takes what he wants. Does this mean he’d kill?
Paula Zentner plays Annie with a cold and calculating subtlety. She’s been under Jack’s thumb for so long, will she kill to get out from under it?
Into this powerful dynamic enter two more characters – the flamboyant and money-hungry art dealer V, played to full volume by Kat Sloan, and Kate, an under-appreciated and harassed maid played by Petra Atebe.
Both have so much to lose and to gain by eliminating Jack and Annie. So, the question is: Who will die? Who will kill? Or are they all empty talk? And why is there a coffin in the middle of the living room?
After taking home the trophy for directing last spring for Age of Arousal, Norma Rushton returns to the director’s chair this fall. This small ensemble cast has been working since August to bring audiences a fast, tight romp.
Tickets are available at openingnitetheatre.com/box-office, ontstickets@hotmail.com, 604-826-ONTS or at the door at 33223 Railway Ave. in Mission.
The show runs Oct. 17 to Nov. 3. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m. while Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.
The doors open one hour before the show. There is no show on Halloween. Tickets are $15, and Thursdays (Oct. 17 and 24) the tickets are two-for-one.