Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily TimesMatthew (played by Rick Patrick) tries poisoning his wife, Julia (Andrea Thom), but she's too smart for him in the Theatre Guild Valdosta production of 'A Little Murder Never Hurt Anyone.'

VALDOSTA —Bored, rich, Matthew wants a new life.

He wants to live the jet-setter lifestyle of his friend, who was once bored, is still rich, but found a new lease on life after the death of his wife.

So, Matthew wants to rid himself of his wife, Julia.

Though she is also rich and bored, Julia is smarter than Matthew. She knows what he’s plotting and is bored enough to play along without Matthew knowing that she knows.

While Matthew is constantly thwarted and Julia continues living, their friends are not so inclined. The body count rises with their friends and household staff. 

Their daughter, Bunny, considers calling off her wedding because all of the rich people who could have given her wonderful gifts are dying.

And the detective assigned to the case “suspects everyone but hasn’t got a clue,” according to Theatre Guild Valdosta.

Playwright Ron Bernas’ “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” is a “spoof of and love letter to the screwball comedies of the 1930s and to stage mysteries,” according to Theatre Guild Valdosta.

“A Little Murder” is the latest Guild mystery comedy. The Guild staged the Ken Ludwig comedy-mystery “The Game’s Afoot” earlier this year. 

Sandra Dickson, “Little Murder” director, has cast a mix of newcomers and veterans to the Dosta Playhouse stage.

Rick Patrick, who has appeared in many plays, stepped into the role of Matthew about a week prior to opening night, Dickson said.

“A lot of the humor is tongue in cheek,” she said. “It should be fun for the whole family.”

THE CAST: Rick Patrick, Andrea Thom, Kassandra Morris, Dalton Bell, Ben Hawley, Loretta Steed.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Sandra Dickson, director; Johnathan A. Cooks, assistant director; Sandi Parrish, stage manager; Lu Williams, producer.

SHOWTIME

Theatre Guild Valdosta presents “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody.”

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 21, 22; 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23; 7:30 p.m., March 28-30.

Where: The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St.

Reservations, more information: Call (229) 24-STAGE; or visit www.theatreguildvaldosta.com.