Back to News 
Watch video preview of “Karaoke Killer”
MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (March 10, 2011) — Familiar faces from community theater productions throughout the region will lend their talent for a good cause at a murder mystery dinner theater fundraiser at Milligan College on Saturday, March 19, at 6 p.m.
The performance of “Karaoke Killer,” an original play by Joh Mann, is presented by Associated Ladies for Milligan (ALM). All proceeds will benefit student scholarships at Milligan.
The 10-member cast includes Phyllis Fox as Bonnie Lass. Fox is best known for her roles in several productions with the Johnson City Community Theatre, including “Godspell,” “Dearly Beloved,” “Christmas Belles” and “Southern Hospitality.”
“I enjoy doing comedy, and I laughed until I cried reading the script for ‘Karaoke Killer,’” said Fox, who also serves as director of church relations at Milligan. “It’s guaranteed to be a great evening for a great cause.”
Also joining the quirky cast of characters is Doug Fox, as Rocky Rhodes. Fox most recently performed with the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre in “A Christmas Carol.” He also has performed in several Johnson City Community Theatre productions, including “Sly Fox” and “Into the Woods.”
The cast also includes Deborah Harbin, a local playwright who recently celebrated the premiere of her play, “RUR: Reboot,” a reimagining of the Karel Čapek classic. Her short play, “Hypochondria,” was performed by Milligan students as part of the Asheville Fringe Festival in January 2010, and appeared again that year as part of Milligan’s annual Festival of One Acts. In addition, she has worked behind the scenes with Jonesborough Repertory Theatre, running sound for the 2009 production of “The Lion in Winter.” Harbin, who is also a member of Milligan’s staff, portrays the role of Marion Kind in “Karaoke Killer.”
Dr. Richard Lura, professor of chemistry at Milligan, is no stranger to Milligan’s stage or local theater. He most recently performed in Milligan’s “Treasure Island,” and in “Karaoke Killer” he will take on a comedic role as Lou NeTunes.
The plot surrounds the night’s fictional karaoke contest, which will determine which character wins $10,000 and bragging rights to the best karaoke act in the state. As tension builds and competition gets stiff, lives will be lost. Questions will surface as clues are pieced together.
Dinner guests will be seated in the Pink Flamingo and served a gourmet café spread in the transformed McCormick Dining Center. While most productions instruct audiences to “sit back and enjoy the evening,” this mystery theater encourages detective participation. Each table will have an opportunity to ask a character three questions and then take a stab at the killer’s identity.
ALM is a ministry comprised of Milligan alumni, faculty and friends who work together to raise money for student scholarships, build campus community and enrich women’s ministry in the community. The proceeds from “Karaoke Killer” will benefit ALM and its mission to support students in need.
“Karaoke Killer” is directed by Melanie Yodkins, a 2010 graduate of Milligan’s fine arts theater program.
Tickets are $50; all proceeds benefit ALM. To order tickets, call 423.461.8710.