The Tybee Post Theater is preparing for a grand celebration that promises to be a festive weekend for audiences. From April 27-30, they will be performing the comical whodunit musical "Something's Afoot," with a special gala fundraiser on April 29 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Executive Director Evan Goetz, who performed in the show when he was 18, expressed his personal connection to the musical, describing it as a perfect blend of mystery and humor.
"I personally did this show when I was 18 years old in my hometown at a little theater, and it holds a special place in my heart. This show is a perfect blend of mystery and humor," said Tybee Post Theatre Executive Director Evan Goetz.
"Something's Afoot" is a musical that spoofs detective stories, mainly the works of Agatha Christie, and especially her 1939 detective novel "And Then There Were None."
"It was on Broadway and then transferred to the West End of London. Then there was a made-for-TV movie in the 80s. The premise of the show is that a group of people have been called or invited to this country estate in England by a character named Lord Rancour, whom we never see," said Goetz.
The people are stranded at the estate during an intense thunderstorm. One by one, they're picked off by cunningly cruel devices.
"They all think they've been invited alone, not as a group of people, so they don't know who the other people are. After a 'tragic accident,' things start to happen," said Goetz.
The show is full of laughs and themes that spoof the popular murder mystery genre. Goetz praised the show for its clever writing and characters.
"There are all these wonderfully rich, identifiable characters, and they all have these crazy kooky stories that allow the plot to advance or not advance, and the way that things unfold, it's in a very comedic [manner]," said Goetz.
The music is just as exciting a part of the show as the comedy in the characters.
"The music sort of reflects that time. There's some fun innuendo and puns that happen in it. It's a really good time," said Goetz.
The show will have live musicians, and the cast consists of talent from Tybee and Savannah, including those who may be fresh to theater and others who are veteran performers.
The gala on April 29 will be a special event to raise funds for the Tybee Post Theater, a historic venue that has been entertaining audiences since 2015. Guests will enjoy refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, and lots of fun before the show that night.
"Built in 1930, it's a beautiful building, and it has a rich history. Then going dark in the being revitalized until 2015 when we reopened. It's a special place not only to the community of Tybee but to Savannah in general," said Goetz.
There were over 60 Post Theaters built for army bases, and the Tybee Post is one of the few surviving ones in the country operating at the capacity it is, and they want to be sure to celebrate that legacy.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the Tybee Post Theater's website at tybeeposttheater.org/gala23
