Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily TimesThe cast of 'Death in Them Thar Hills' mingles with the audience throughout the dinner-theatre experience scheduled to open next week.

VALDOSTA — How does a theatre troupe rehearse for a show that relies mostly on interaction with a live audience?

Same as the old joke about how do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Practice, my boy, practice.

The director and cast of “Death in Them Thar Hills” say they hope their mode of rehearsal will prepare them for a series of Theatre Guild Valdosta dinner-theatre performances opening next week.

“It will involve a lot of improvisation with the audience,” said Scott Dickson who plays Marshal Nate Dillman in the Western whodunit spoof. “If the audience lacks energy then we’re in trouble.”

Theatre Guild show synopsis: “Arizona Territory, 1883: ‘Dusty’ Jones, wealthy gold prospector and sole owner of the TAqilA Mine (named after Jones’ favorite drink … he never was much of speller) is dead. Jones arrived in the town of Cactus Gulch five years previous, flat broke and relying upon the generosity of the locals, but at his death he was a wealthy man. The weird part is Jones died while being honored by the citizenry of the town. Some honor. Join town marshal Nate Dillman, sharpshooter Annie Elmley, saloon owner Cattie Adams, and the other colorful characters that populate Cactus Gulch to figure out who done it.”

Clay Lee, show director who also plays Dusty, said the show opens with each character presenting a monologue that introduces them and their relationships with one another. 

Dinner is then served. Sonny’s BBQ caters the show.

Dinner is followed by what sounds like “speed-dating interrogation.” 

Characters move from table to table explaining why they can’t be the suspect while pointing fingers of suspicion at other characters. Audience members can ask the characters questions during this portion of the show.

Cast members said they are more worried about people they know seated at these table more than strangers. But they are preparing for friends and family.

For example, if someone calls actor Bradley Patterson by his real name rather than his character’s name of Flint Flames, he plans to stay in character and answer with something like, “I don’t know Bradley Patterson but I hear he’s a good-looking fella.”

The cast must be ready for anything prior to the show’s official start time at 7:30 p.m., Lee said. Doors open at 7 p.m. each day. The show’s conceit is that everyone — cast and audience — are attending Dusty’s party. Cast members will be in character roaming The Dosta Playhouse from 7 p.m. on.

Theatre Guild Valdosta regularly hosted dinner-theatre productions about a decade ago. Lee said “Death in Them Thar Hills” is a completely different experience than past dinner theatres in The Dosta Playhouse.

Some of the differences include:

— The action takes place among the tables with the audience. There is not a “traditional” show on stage.

— There is no “show only” ticket.

— Membership free tickets may not be used for this show.

— All individual tickets are $25 each. Opening night special available, two tickets for $45. Group price of 10 or more tickets is $23 per person in the group.

— Guests will sit at tables of eight. Guests cannot reserve specific tables.

— Dinner: Pulled pork, potato salad, baked beans, dinner rolls, white cake, sweet tea or water. No food substitutions. No outside food may be brought into the theatre.

– The show, including dinner, is expected to last about 90 minutes.

 

THE CAST: B. Scott Dickson, Andrew Thomas, Johnathan Cooks, Tammy Sears, Loretta Steed, Kevin Johnson, Della Webb, Bradley Patterson, Michelle Office, Betty Moon, Lisa Bessent, Clay Lee.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Clay Lee, director; Lu Williams, assistant director, producer; Loretta Steed, costumes; Josh Robertson, Patti Robertson, Brock Gilliard, Masin Cribbs, Andrew Thomas, Grant Brown, Clay Lee, Lu Williams, Tera Ray, Johnathan Cooks, set construction.

 

SHOWTIME

Theatre Guild Valdosta presents “Death in Them Thar Hills.”

When: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17.

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

More information: Visit theatreguildvaldosta.com; or call (229) 24-STAGE.