MANITOWOC – A Christmas weekend of revelry becomes murder most foul! Oh my!
Not to worry — world-renowned Broadway star William Gillette is on the case, and he’ll use his Sherlockian sleuthing skills to catch the culprit.
But as murder and mayhem run amok in his remote castle of tricks and mirrors, Gillette soon discovers a little murder is the least of his worries.
By Jove, The Masquers will present Ken Ludwig’s hilarious murder caper “The Game’s Afoot” this fall at the Capitol Civic Centre. Performances will take place Nov. 6-8. Tickets are on sale now!
The cast of The Masquers’ ‘The Games Afoot’ rehearses a scene.
This theater gem of a mystery, which won the Edgar Award for Best Play in 2012, features The Masquers and local talents of Mackenzie Diedrich, Brent Johnson, Mary Kaufman, Em Schaller, Darrick Bruns, Susan Parker, Jessica Oppeneer, Claran LaViolette, Becky Webb, Roger Ehrenreich, Rico Robbins and Bill Fricke.
Ken Ludwig’s tale of a weekend gone awry is an ode to Sherlockians and mystery lovers everywhere.
“When I read the script during The Masquers readthrough … I was immediately hooked,” Brent Johnson, an actor (Felix) in the production, explained.
When asked about the show’s unique premise, he added, “The story read like ‘Knives Out’ with its wit and mystery.”
Susan Parkerk as Madge Giesel and Brent Johnson as Felix Giesel in The Masquers’ production of ‘The Game’s Afoot.’
This delightful murder romp promises to tickle your funny bone and get your sleuthing brain firing on all cylinders. Whether you love Sherlock or just a plain old good whodunit, this play within a play will scratch your sleuthing itch.
And who better to bring this love letter to Sherlock and mysteries to the stage than a true fan? First-time director Stetz Smith, whose passion for both genres is unparalleled, eagerly took on the project.
Read more: Clipper City Chordsmen hit high note with $16K fundraiser ‘Teach the World to Sing’
When asked what drew her to the script, Smith enthusiastically replied: “Directing a show has always been a No. 1 passion for me — a big dream. This show, in particular, I wanted to throw caution to the wind because I love anything Sherlock Holmes, and to direct a murder mystery that isn’t ‘Clue’ … seems a huge, once-in-a-lifetime, grab-it-now sort of thing.”
Mackenzie Diedrich as William Gillette in The Masquers’ production of ‘The Game’s Afoot.’
But what if you don’t know a jot about Sherlock? Rest assured, one doesn’t have to be a lover of the beloved detective to enjoy this production. Although homage is paid to the iconic sleuth throughout the script, the show’s story has a wide appeal and extends beyond just Sherlock fans.
Jessica Oppeneer, who plays the lovely lady in red (Daria), highlights that universal appeal: “This story has a little bit of everything — mystery, humor, murder, romance, physical comedy and sharp wordplay, silly situations, and poignant moments. It’s truly an ensemble piece, where each character has their moments to shine.”
At its core, the play is a closed-room mystery with Sherlockian flair. Any enthusiast of either genre will fall in love.
“It’s a whodunnit story filled with many tropes of the genre,” Rico Robbins (the Constable) explains. “There’s a relatable detective in Gillette, even if his methods are unorthodox and maybe a bit delusional at times.
Darrick Bruns as Simon Bright and Claran Laviolette as Inspector Goring in The Masquers’ production of ‘The Game’s Afoot.’
“The pull of the mystery is so great that he will do anything to uncover the truth, no matter the risk,” Robbins added. “Whether you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes or a fan of murder mysteries, this play has something for you to enjoy!”
Although the tale is a classic whodunit featuring tried and true tropes, there are plenty of surprises the audience won’t see coming.
“Expect the unexpected and enjoy the ride,” Darrick Bruns (Simon) said with a grin.
And if there’s one thought sweet Aggie, played by Em Schaller, hoped to leave with the audience, it’s this: “Have some good, old-fashioned fun watching the show. It’s a goodie!”
Em Schaller as Aggie Wheeler in The Masquers’ production of ‘The Game’s Afoot.’
Let the revelries of a bygone era and a would-be detective’s love of Sherlock transport you this fall. Join The Masquers for an unforgettable night of mystery, mayhem and above all — laughter!
Read more: This Wisconsin pizza place has the best slice in the state, according to Food Network
If you go …
What: The Masquers, Inc., production of “The Game’s Afoot” (Ken Ludwig, 2012)
When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6-7 and 3 p.m. Nov. 8
Where: Capitol Civic Centre, 913 S. Eighth St., Manitowoc
Ticket information: Tickets are available at the Capitol Civic Centre box office, online at cccshows.org or by calling 920-683-2184. Tickets are $34 for adults and $25 for students 18 years old and younger. Ticket prices now include all fees before sales tax.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc theater group The Masquers to stage Game’s Afoot at Capitol
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
![Hailey Bieber’s 2026 Campaigns: Gap, Skims and More [Photos]](https://celebrity.land/en/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Hailey-Biebers-2026-Campaigns-Gap-Skims-and-More-Photos-120x86.jpg)
