{"id":161738,"date":"2025-09-26T09:07:30","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T13:07:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=161738"},"modified":"2025-09-26T10:50:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:50:20","slug":"wright-state-theatre-opens-2025-26-season-with-comedic-whodunit-the-games-afoot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2025\/09\/26\/wright-state-theatre-opens-2025-26-season-with-comedic-whodunit-the-games-afoot\/","title":{"rendered":"Wright State Theatre opens 2025\u201326 season with comedic whodunit \u2018The Game\u2019s Afoot\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Wright State Theatre\u2019s production of \u201cThe Game\u2019s Afoot,\u201d which runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5 in the Festival Playhouse, challenges students to embrace both comedic and mystery elements. (Photos by Erin Pence)<\/p><\/div>\n

Wright State University Theatre will raise the curtain on its 2025\u201326 season with Ken Ludwig\u2019s mystery-comedy \u201cThe Game\u2019s Afoot,\u201d running Sept. 26 to Oct. 5 in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center.<\/p>\n

Set in a lavish Connecticut mansion in 1936, the play follows Broadway star William Gillette, best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, as he hosts a holiday party for fellow cast members. But when a guest is stabbed, the celebration takes a deadly turn. The result is a fast-moving blend of suspense, slapstick and clever wordplay.<\/p>\n

Josh Aaron McCabe, assistant professor of acting and head of Wright State\u2019s BFA Acting Program, said Ludwig\u2019s plays resonate with audiences because they balance escapist fun with depth.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn one hand, he creates characters with wonderful wit and wildly silly comedic circumstances,\u201d McCabe said. \u201cYet he also writes with specificity that lives a bit deeper than just comic gags. The characters are believable while living in extraordinary circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n

McCabe added that the play challenges Wright State acting students to embrace both the comedy and the mystery, offering them valuable experience in physical comedy, fight and weapons training and developing characters who feel both theatrical and real.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis play is an excellent training playground for clever comedic storytelling,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to serve a full-course meal for the audience \u2014 along with the comedy, there is a mystery to be solved.\u201d<\/p>\n

The production features scenic design by student designer Callie Lippincott, costume design by guest costume designer George Sarofeen, lighting design by lighting design student Jennifer Dillard and sound design by resident sound designer James Dunlap.<\/p>\n

On the stage, \u201cThe Game\u2019s Afoot\u201d features Joshua Ziegler as William Gillette\/Sherlock, Lilly Buck as Martha Gillette, Jacob Sawtelle as Felix Geisel\/Moriarty, Nia Buchannon as Madge Geisel\/Marian, Ethan Cain as Simon Bright\/Count Zerlinsky, Katie Baldwin as Aggie Wheeler\/Alice, Sophia Stiles as Daria Chase and Madysen Ashley as Inspector Goring.<\/p>\n

Performances:<\/strong><\/p>\n