For the second year, the society is moving its production to Stawell due to the redevelopment of the Ararat Performing Arts Centre.

The society is looking forward to bringing this ‘murder mystery musical comedy’ to both Ararat and Stawell audiences.

The musical is a send-up of backstage murder mystery plots, set in 1959 Boston Massachusetts and follows the fallout when Jessica Cranshaw, the supremely untalented star of ‘Robbin’ Hood of the Old West’ is murdered during her opening night curtain call.

It is up to Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, a police detective who moonlights as a musical theatre fan to save the show, solve the case, and maybe even find love before the show reopens, without getting killed himself.

The leading cast includes Grant Johnson, Becky McKay, Christine Bulger, Joyce Clery, Derek Pope, Jack Ward, Bryan Kennedy, Melissa Sanders, Craig Jackson, Russell Purdie, Maree Fraser, Daryl Lowerson and Rennie Hannan, plus a supporting cast of around 30, a live orchestra and a backstage crew of around 20.

Director Andrew Evans said rehearsals were coming along well and the cast was looking forward to taking to the stage in May.

“Curtains is a show full of great toe tapping songs, big dance numbers and of course lots of laughs,” he said.

“We have assembled a fantastic cast, some with vast stage experience and some newcomers, and all bring their characters alive to tell the story of this murder mystery.

“We are also fortunate to have a live orchestra, conducted for the first time by Wade Carmen, who is fresh from his role as musical director for Ballarat Light Opera Company’s ‘Spamalot’ and who has played as part of our orchestra for a number of years.”

“Tickets are now on sale so don’t miss out on what will be a fantastic night of laughs and great music.”

Curtains will be staged on May 26, 27 (matinee), June 1, June 2 and June 3 (matinee).

Tickets can be purchased online at www.stagecenta.com or at the door on the night.