The Butler Did It September 18, 2009

Denver Victorian Playhouse

The Butler Did It
by Walter Marks and Peter Marks
Directed by Pat Payne

Opening on Friday, September 11 the Denver Victorian Playhouse presents Walter Mark’s and Peter Mark’s “The Butler Did It.” Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. & Sundays at 2 p.m. through October 31. Tickets are $22.00 and are available by calling 303-433-4343 or online at www.denvervic.com.

The scene is the set where Anthony J. Lefcourt, writer and director, is rehearsing his new play, a "classic whodunit" (in which all the characters are named Butler) with which he hopes to regain the success which has eluded him in recent seasons. Desperately eager to stimulate his cast to their best efforts, he has deliberately withheld the final scene of the play from them, but his patience is worn thin by the petty jealousies and romantic rivalries which detract from their concentration. In an effort to spur them on he "stages" the murder of one of the actresses, after which the plot begins to twist and turn with such dazzling ingenuity--and hilarity--that soon actors and audience alike have lost track of what is real and what is make-believe--until a surprise ending sets matters straight in a most bizarre and ironic way.

Director Pat Payne has cast Mark Ivan Branche as Anthony J Leftcourt, Matt Block as Michael/Aldo, Timmi Ann Lasley as Claudia/Miss Butler, Mike Pearl as Robert/Mr. Butler, Clark Brittain as Sam/Mimford and Molly Killoran as Natalie/Vicki.

Described as the Off-Broadway equivalent of Deathtrap, this deft and diabolically clever thriller mingles laughter and chills as it skillfully unwinds its twisted tale of murder and mayhem in the glittering world of the theatre.

…lightheaded, lighthearted and funny…a diversion of fun and mayhem." —NY Post.

"…a genuinely amusing burlesque of those good old '30s movie thrillers in which the killer is unmasked in the final moments." —NY Daily News.

Denver Victorian Playhouse presents “The Butler Did It.” A deft and diabolically clever comedy thriller. September 11 – October 31. Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sun at 2 p.m. Denver Victorian Playhouse, 4201 Hooker Street in Denver. Tickets: $22.00 - 303-433-4343 or www.denvervic.com.