Alamogordo, New Mexico Sponsors "Hula and Homicide" Murder Mystery Dinner Theater

Friday, July 13, 2018

The city of Alamogordo, New Mexico engaged the acting troupe of the Guild to write, produce and direct a murder mystery dinner theater event at the Willie Estrada Civic Center on First Street.

Employees of the city decorated and set up for the event including providing a caterer and DJ DIGUMSMAK. Decorations included the semblance of a huge tree in the middle of the room, various scenes set up along the walls providing photographic opportunities, an area for the Hoola Hoop contest and one for the Limbo Stick contest. DIGUMSMAK kept appropriate music going for an island luau and many attendees wore costumes adding to the over all ambience. At the entry to the event, a roasted pig is on a large platter surrounded by melons with island designs carved in them with flower petals strewn about.

Food provided by the caterer was quite delicious and filling. On the menu was pulled pork, roasted vegetables, coconut pudding and fruit cup. The city also provided a bar and bartender and there ensued a happy hour from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. However, the bar was open until 10:00 pm.

The premise of the Murder Mystery is that a cruise ship has engine problems and had to put into port for repairs. People were allowed to debark and explore the area. There is a beach carnival of sorts going on underwritten by Eunice "Lovey" and Thurston Howell III. They invited the somewhat  discomfited cruise patrons to come to the carnival to experience some island hospitality.

Both the Hoola Hoop and Limbo Stick contests were well attended and prizes relating to the occasion were awarded to the winners. Prizes were also awarded for the best costumes and of course for those who solved the murder or came close.

There were fifteen actors involved in "Hula and Homicide". One of the most popular booths was the fortune teller, Madame Knowsitall aka Jan Wafful. When the event was over there was still a line waiting for their fortune to be revealed.

Seven writers met at various times to put this Murder Mystery together and had a really FUN time doing it. They are Connie Breding, Roque Rosales, Mary Cobb, JD and Steph Hilliard, Carla Kerr and Andrea Garcia. Kudos for a terrific job of creating this play and to Connie for taking our writing and tweaking it here and there.

Special thanks to JD Hilliard who quite ably stepped into the role of co-director due to Connie Breding having a previous engagement that evening.  JD kept the whole event running smoothly and timely.

The exact number of attendees is not to be had at this station, but it was certainly over 125 and more tables had to be set up as people came in later. It was apparent that people really enjoyed the event and really got into the island atmosphere.

Attendee definitely into the island theme, Trudy Reese

Attendee Darla Shelly. Doesn't she look lovely!

L to R: Thurston Howell III aka Doug Kerr, JD Hilliard aka Willy Wipeout and Kathy Barnes aka Linda Lava

A table of happy attendees. Looks like they've overcome their chagrin at being unexpectedly stranded on this island.

A shot of the room overall

Heather Evans aka Sandy Beach with her two sons

An earlier shot of the "tree".

L to R: Willy Wipeout, Linda Lava, Ellie Mauger aka Wanda Waves holding a hoola hoop and Gabe Mauger aka Todd Tycoon

Carla Kerr aka Eunice "Lovey" Howell and Tina Lawhorn aka Rachel Rainbow

Mandy Neilson aka Kiki Kalua

What luau would be complete without a roasted pig?

Our excellent DJ DIGUMSMAK

Keddy Richardson aka Wowie Maui

Andrea Garcia aka Lula Hula with Wowie Maui

Attendee Gail Swineford

L to R: Kiki Kalua, Mary Cobb aka Leilani Lei and Wanda Waves

Eunice Howell greeting attendees

Attendees getting their fortune told by Jan Wafful aka Madame Knowsitall

Attendees sharing information on how to solve the murder

Wanda Waves

Contestants in the Hoola Hoop Contest

Attendees enjoying the festivities

Willy Wipeout explaining the rules of the Limbo Stick Contest

Wanda Waves showing them how it's done

Wowie Maui giving it a try

This is the lady who eventually won the Limbo Contest

This young lady won second place

This is the murder victim found on the beach, Michael MaGoo, owner of the Big Kahuna Development Company and highly disliked by a number of people.

The line-up at the fortune teller booth keeps growing!

An Alamogordo family takes advantage of a photo op

Eunice Howell answers questions from attendees who are trying to solve the murder of Michael MaGoo

Madame Knowsitall answering questions from attendees

Actors being introduced by Willy Wipeout far left. L to R: Kiki Kalua, Linda Lava, Rachel Rainbow, Wanda Waves, Todd Tycoon, Patrick McDonald aka Detective Dan-O, Sandy Beach, Leilani Lei, Wowie Maui, Eunice Howell and Lulu Hula. Missing are Thurston Howell III, Roque Rosales aka Looney Lou and Madame Knowsitall who is still telling fortunes.

Attendees with their newborn

Gail and Trudy, Costume Prize Winners with Eunice Howell

Another lovely attendee

Thurston Howell III with his wife Eunice "Lovey" Howell

This was such a FUN experience. Thanks to all who came and participated in our Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. We have plans to do another one in October based on "The Phantom of the Opera" so be watching for the announcements.

This is all I have to say for now.

NMSU-A Class of 101 Theater Create Costumes for Contest

October 31, 2016

Students of New Mexico State University-Alamogordo in Theater 101 Class really put their creative juices to use to make Halloween costumes. Prizes of $50, $35 and $25 for first, second and third places were awarded. This was the first Annual Costume Contest and there are plans for continuing it each year.

Judges were Carolyn Dittmer, Geowie Mosqueda and Carla Kerr.

There were a total of sixteen entrants and the judging wasn't easy by any means. They were required to either turn in a synopsis of a play they are writing or pick a well known play and create and construct the costume to reflect that play. Costumes were, for the most part, done from scratch.

 Rosa Garcia, "The Walking Dead" and she was scary

Director Connie Breding, interviewing Alyssa Linville who is Mrs. Lovett of "Sweeny Todd" fame

L to R: Connie, Deborah Cobb as the Queen Bee in "Tribulation", Jackie as Sandra in "Little Rock High School", Kim Carona as grapes in "The Purple Farm"

L to R: Gavin Locke as "Phantom of the Opera" - he had removed his half mask, Alyssa Linville, Rosa Garcia and Tori Christians as the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland

L to R: Austin as Rover, a tree man in "Lost in the Forest", My as My Sumo in "Searching for a House", Mary Cobb as Franknlizzie  in "Saving the World One Monster at a Time", Marissa Larson as Nurse Kelley in "The Zombie Infection Gone Wrong", Stoeshia Gentry as the crazy ex-wife of the Scarecrow in "The Scarecrow of Oz".

L to R: Rosa, Tori, Alyssa Martinez as Lulu in "Some Friends Aren't so Imaginary", Kennedie Maribad as the Zombie Barista in "The Coffee Apocalypse" and Sandra as Octusa in "The Legend of Octusa"

L to R: Winners are Austin 3rd place (his costume was actually made from tree bark), Deborah Cobb 1st place and Rosa Garcia took 2nd place (the teeth created in that mask were actually acrylic fingernails).

As you may have surmised, some of the plays were originals by the students and others are easily recognized. It was a great experience for everyone and next year should be even better. Congratulations to all the students in the contest as well as the winners. Everyone did a great job.

This is all I have to say for now.

NMSU-A Theater 105 Acting Class Murder Mystery Dinner Play

Thursday, March 24, 2016

On Thursday evening, March 24, 2016 members of Theater Acting Class 105 at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo, New Mexico acted in a murder mystery improvisation set in San Francisco's Haight Ashbury District in the 1960's which they wrote as a Spring 2016 Midterm Project. They produced murder, mayhem, mystery and flower power! Each member created their own costumes as well. Spectators were encouraged to attend in 60's attire. Professor Connie Breding directed this fun and funny production which started out at 5:30 PM in the Campus Deli for pizza, salad and beverages. The show continued with everyone walking over to the Rohovec Theatre on the Hill for the final act.

The cast included Julia Newton as Sunshine Moonshine, Cheryl Carroll as Smokey McWeed, Laurie Clark as Purple Butterfly, Susan Gallegos as the former Mrs. Timothy Leery, Kimba Nichels as Mayor Marlene Moonbeam, Harry Crinklaw as Rickster Rockstar and his Gerbils, Mary Cobb as Wanda Schizzle, and Deborah Cobb as Mama Schizzle.

The photos will tell the story better than I can.

Connie Breding directing

Front L to R: Susan Gallegos, Julie Newton, Cheryl Carroll, Back L to R: Kimba Nichels, Mary Cobb, Harry Crinklaw, Deborah Cobb and Laurie Clark

Cast and Attendees

Rickster Rockstar and Wanda Schizzle

Mama Schizzle

Attendees Tet and Alan Gonzales

Attendee Carla Kerr

Sunshine Moonshine

Purple Butterfly

Smokey McWeed

Mayor Marlene Moonbeam

Attendee with baby son

Wanda Schizzle talking with Purple Butterfly

Carla Kerr with Grace and Victoria Kennedy

Mrs. Timothy Leery

Wanda Sizzle with Rickster Rockstar

Two youngest audience members meet each other

Smokey McWeed

Smokey, Connie and Purple Butterfly having some interesting cookies

Uh-oh! Looks like Mama Schizzle has found a joint

L to R: Wanda, Rickster, Mayor Moonbeam, Mrs. Leery and Mama Schizzle

Mrs. Leery looking sad

The murder mystery has now moved to the theater.

Apparently Sunshine Moonbeam has been murdered

The accusations start

Mrs. Leery asking for respect for the dead

Mayor Moonbeam questioning suspects

Questioning continues

Mrs. Leery breaking up over the death of Sunshine Moonshine

Grace Kennedy, young hippie

Grace and her Daddy

The show was a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed the evening, especially the actors in their improvised roles. This was definitely a great way to spend an evening.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for the great pictures.

This is all I have to say for now.