Cast headshots for Gaslight Theater’s Love is Murder from left to right, top row: Mike Clements, Kathleen Brainerd, Melvin Morrison, Matthew Ferrin and Alícia Belmore; bottom row: Marcia Gallagher, Henry Quintal, Tamara Lilly, Randolph Jones and Wendi Richards. Gaslight Theater will present six shows in February at Hallowell City Hall Auditorium to kick off their “2023 Season of Laughter”. Submitted photo

Gaslight Theater plans to present its 2023 Season of Laughter starting with “Love is Murder” in February.

“Love is Murder,” a comedy by Tim Kelly, will be directed by Gaslight Theater’s Matthew McLaughlin at Hallowell City Hall Auditorium at 1 Winthrop St. in Hallowell. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 11, 17 and 18 and Sunday matinees are set for 2 p.m. Feb. 12 and 19.

Valentina Velour, the Queen of Romance Fiction, opens Honeymoon House to a television program. Unfortunately, someone has left a dead man in the closet and a wacko called The Rose Killer is bumping off the love scribblers. Confusion and madness abound as vitamin fanatics, cops, literary agents and writers collide. The whole madcap mess concludes with the exposure of Valencia’s arch-enemy and an affirmation of her philosophy “Romance will be here when men and women no longer walk the earth!” Love Is Murder is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

In Gaslight Theater’s production of “Love Is Murder,” Valentina Hart is played by Kathleen Brainerd of West Gardiner, a seasoned actor with Gaslight Theater. The ditzy housemaid Effie is played by Alícia Belmore of Gardiner. Tom Burns the “fish out of water” butler is played by Matthew Ferrin of Augusta. The weaselly publishing agent Lydecker is played by Mike Clements of West Gardiner. TV producer Leon Ketchem is played by Henry Quintal of Augusta. Gothic novelist Jane Err is played by Tamara Lilly of Woolwich. Western novelist Calamity Lovett is played by Marcia Gallagher of Hallowell. Oriental novelist Pearl Sweet is played by Wendi Richards of Fairfield, another seasoned Gaslight Theater actor. Dr. Wintergreen is played by Randolph Jones of Augusta. Ed Fish the detective is played by Melvin Morrison of Hallowell. Director Matthew McLaughlin lives in Augusta.

Other upcoming productions in Gaslight’s 2023 Season of Laughter include “Black Comedy” in April and May, “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” in August, “Charley’s Aunt” in November and “Jellofish,” dates to be announced.

Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors.
For tickets, or more information, visit gaslighttheater.org or call 207-626-3698.

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