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Submitted photo. Rabun Entertainers performed ‘Murder on the Lust Boat’ as part of a dinnrt theatre at Kingwood Resort in Clayton June 24 and 25. Pictured are Debbie Martin as “Monique Lewdinsky”; Steven Webster as “Captain Ivah Dinghy”; Valerie Carpenter as “Fiona Helmsworth”; Sharon Purdy, director, Ashley Eller as “Tony Terrafirma”; Ishmael Santos as “Rico, Man of Mystery”; Randy Hamilton as “Ham Helmsworth”; Matt Holland as “Butler Rutledge”; Cheryl Webster as “Caprice Rutledge.”
Dinner theatre returned to Rabun County on June 24 and 25 with “Murder on The Lust Boat,” a laugh-filled and borderline risqué murder mystery set aboard a “couples cruise ship in the Caribbean.”
It is the first audience interaction theatre in Rabun since COVID-19 and Director Sharon Purdy set her goal of making this a memorable return. Under the direction of Purdy, Rabun Entertainers delivered a fun-filled evening of acting, singing, and dancing. The producer Kaleb Wilburn had his work cut out for him, as there were so many newbies in this acting troupe. Wilburn met the challenge with aplomb.
The plot – nothing like Shakespeare – surrounded the cast’s often delusional theories of the reason mystery man “Rico,” played by local favorite Ishmael Santos, was on the Boat. His identity was revealed in a hilarious exchange between brilliant newcomer Valerie Carpenter, who played “Fiona Helmsworth,” owner of the Boat, and her Captain, “Ivah Dinghy,” played by veteran actor Steven Webster.
The balance of the cast was led by experienced actors Ashley Eller, as “Tony Terrafirma,” and Taylor Erlewine, as his wife, “Tina Terrafirma.” Debbie Martin was the shady activities director, “Monique Lewdinsky,” who’s on-again, off-again French accent foretold of her past discretions. Standout newcomer Randy Hamilton played Fiona’s clearly deranged husband, “Hamilton,” who had a penchant for gambling and playing golf on the ship’s deck. All the aforementioned went to extreme lengths to protect their secrets and identities from Rico.
Extreme lengths. Murder. Cement shoes. Golf clubs. Life Insurance. Hot, hot, hot diamonds. Jogging shoes.
The audience loved the interplay between novices Sheryl Webster, as “Caprice Rutledge,” a wife playing the field, and Matt Holland as her husband, “Butler Rutledge,” playing the cuckold, financially successful, nerdy lawyer. As several of the cast are well-known local dancers, dances were choreographed to fuel Butler’s jealousy, as he was continuously denied the opportunity even to party on the dance floor with his gorgeous, flirty, fit, angry, petty, wife.
The delicious dinner was catered by The Soda Fountain Restaurant and Catering and the event was hosted by Kingwood Resort.
“I don’t know if we could have performed something with this much sex, sex, sex, pre-COVID,” said Purdy. “But the audience loved the show and the cast.”
Keep your eyes and ears alert! There are murmurings that the production will soon be taken on the road. In addition, Purdy says to look for another murder mystery in October.