Northern Michigan University’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theater honor society, is presenting Don Zolidis’ The Bold, the Young and the Murdered, a comedic murder mystery play. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7-Saturday, Dec. 9, in the James A. Panowski Black Box Theatre.

In the comedy, the long-running soap opera, The Bold and the Young, is in its last days. The producer gives the squabbling cast an ultimatum: Complete one episode overnight or the show dies. When the director is murdered, and other cast members start dropping as well, it seems like his threat might actually come true.

The cast and artistic team is entirely student-led, and many students took on some of their first acting and artistic positions. NMU theater and sociology major Amber Urban, who directs the play, said that APO members mentored individuals who wanted to learn more about a certain facet of the theater.

“I am a little more hands on than some of the directors here,” said Urban. “Instead of trying to vocalize what I want to see with words, I tend to demonstrate with actions. This has really worked out for me and I think it's been beneficial to my actors.

“As a theater major, it is required to take a directing class; but, having an opportunity to fully direct a show is an invaluable experience. Casting the show, working with the creative team and seeing it all come together is something that unfortunately can't be taught in a classroom.  We can learn techniques and direct scenes with fellow classmates, but you can't face the challenges of it until you're in the moment.”

The cast of 16 performers features theater major Audree Stephens.

“Audiences should look forward to tons of hilarious, corny jokes and some hilarious, very diverse characters,” said Stephens. “I have learned that timing is everything. You need to have great timing with the jokes to make it believable and hilarious.”

Tickets are $5 for NMU students and $10 for the public. Tickets are available online at tickets.nmu.edu or at any NMU EZ Ticket outlet. The Black Box Theatre is located in NMU’s McClintock Building. For more information on the event, contact the Forest Roberts Theatre Box Office at (906) 227-2082 or via email at frtbox@gmail.com.