South City Theatre, in partnership with The Pelham BEAT, is happy to announce auditions for their fall interactive murder mystery dinner theatre, Jack Pachuta’s Murder is a Fine Art

• Dates/Time:July 14-15, 2025 at 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMat South City Theatre in Pelham, Alabama
• Roles available for 3 men, 3-4 women, 1 male or female, and 3 extras
• Character ages can be from 20s to 100s
• Accents: Some characters will have distinct accents, these can be overexaggerated and imperfect. Be prepared to bring the accents to the auditions.
• Auditions will consist of reading from the script and small improv exercises.
• Show dates: September 19 -20, 2025
• Directed by Lisa Ponder
• Email info@southcitytheatre.com if you have any questions.

About the Show

Libby LaBelle, art critic for the influential “Graphic News,” used her vitriolic columns to destroy the careers of many artists. A good review from Libby meant instant success. A bad review could signal the end of the line for the career of even the most talented individual.

And, Libby didn’t limit her critiques to the art world. She’d regularly write scathing comments about the events she’d attended, panning the planning as well as the cuisine and wine selections. That’s why, over the years, her list of eminent enemies grew. She was loved by her adoring fans and hated by the targets of her poisonous prose.

When it was announced that impressionist artist Pete Casso was to preview an upcoming exhibit at the Creative Connection Art Gallery, Libby made a point of letting everyone know she’d be there to, once again, pen a negative review of Casso’s latest masterpiece.

Who would have suspected that the review would never be printed? For, in the middle of an acerbic attack on both the artwork and the occasion, Libby collapsed in a heap on the floor of the gallery, her worrisome word processor silenced forever.

Did someone take the opportunity to do away with her explosive expletives? And, what past unknown indiscretions could have prompted the passion? It would take a palette of investigative skills to solve the case and identify the murderer.

Characters

Libby LaBelle – (F) Art critic for the Graphic News. An Ann Coulter-type, she lives in Hoboken and is a real New Yorker – by both style and accent. Could be played by the same actress as Lilac LaBell or by a different actress who looks similar.

Lilac LaBelle – (F) Libby’s southern cousin from Atlanta. A Scarlett O’Hara-type, she oozes
charm and female “helplessness.” Uses the dumb blonde stereotype to her advantage. She is demure and seductive to men. But catty and nasty to women. Could be played by the same actress as Libby LaBelle or by a different actress who looks similar. Speaks with a deep southern accent.

Sharon Sharalike – (F) Event Planner who’s been hired to organize the evening. She is from the East Coast. She is efficient and emotionless. Accent is similar to Mona Lisa Vito in My Cousin Vinny or Fran Fine (The Nanny).

Luigi Lambrusco – (M) Italian chef/caterer. He is an Italian version of Gordon Ramsey. Over the top Italian accent (think “It’s-a-Me, Mario”).

Brett Cutler – (M) Rhett Butler-type who’s had relationships with both Libby and Lilac.
He is rich. He has a very deep southern accent.

Pete Casso – (M) Artist, teaches art to wealthy students, studied at the Sorbonne, but doesn’t speak French.

Fiona Fakes – (F) Art forger, student of Pete Casso, very stylish, and is from Sausalito, California.

Security Guard: (M/F) Big Personality. Commanding. Think Frank Drebin (Naked Gun), Columbo (Columbo), Sarah Ashburn (The Heat) or Shannon Mullins (The Heat). There is a lot of flexibility in how you interpret this role.

The Gossips: (M/F): Three to Four actors who will circulate amongst the audience spreading rumors about the characters. Lots of room to create your own distinct character.