LIMA — The Ohio Theatre will celebrate another milestone when the venue’s next show “Fatal Follies of ’27” premiers at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The murder mystery that will feature audience participation will mark the second show the theatre will hold in its auditorium section since reopening.
“This show is a reboot of a show that we originally produced in Nashville over 30 years ago and it has the record of being the longest-running professional show in Nashville history at 17 weeks,” Michael Bouson, co-owner of the theater, said. “So we decided that that would be a good performance to bring back because, according to our research, no production has ever been done in this region to that scale.”
This show has been reimagined and set on the opening night of the theater in 1927.
“The entire audience is invited to celebrate opening night of the entire theater at a very lavish catered event, along with several minor high society figures, politicos and a handful of gangsters,” Bouson said. “The plot will be centered around a vaudeville show, but before and after it begins, the audience is encouraged to mix and mingle throughout the entire building and interact with the cast and eavesdrop on scripted conversations. And then we will have a device that brings everybody back into the auditorium for large group scenes to take place.”
Bouson said that, although murder mysteries are popular, featuring a vaudeville show might make it something new for most audience members.
“There are plenty of murder mysteries, but there aren’t mysteries that include such detailed historic entertainment components as a vaudeville show,” he said. “I’m guessing that most people have never seen a vaudeville show because they went out of fashion in the mid to late ’30s when burlesque took over. So it’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see and be entertained in a manner that you’ve never experienced before.”
Despite the serious subject matter, the signature comedy of the Avant Garage Theatre Troupe will still be on display, as well as a musical element and the usual refreshment services, although with a twist.
“Our food service is different than normal,” Bouson said. “Usually it is like a buffet and somebody waits on you, but we’re not doing any of that. It will be like a caterer with stations throughout the bar area and guests will serve themselves during the first hour as much as they like. And the bar will remain open throughout the performance so people can go up anytime they like.”
Bouson will even be bartending to allow a performer posing as another bartender to maintain their performance.
The performers are another special part of this show for Bouson for one reason.
“I think the thing that excites me the most about this production is that involves pretty much every local actor from other companies, universities, theaters and professional places,” he said. “And we have some familiar faces in the show, but I would say more than half of the cast are making their Ohio Theatre debut, so that’s very exciting for us. With this new energy, challenges and creativity, combined with what we’ve established already, I think the show is going to be very unique, especially for those who have seen all three of our past shows.”
Bouson warned that anyone interested in seeing the show should act fast to get tickets.
More information and links to purchase tickets for any of the shows for Thursday through Saturday, as well as July 20, 21, 22, 27 and 28, can be found at the Ohio Theatre website.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “Fatal Follies of ’27”
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as July 20, 21, 22, 27 and 28
WHERE: Ohio Theatre, 122 W. North St., Lima
All tickets are $60, which includes a party food buffet, and are available at ohiotheatrelima.com.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
