(CLIFTON, NJ) -- The Theater League of Clifton will present "Dealt a Deadly Hand – Murder at the Royale Casino" at Mario’s Restaurant, 710 Van Houten Ave., Clifton, on Feb. 24, 25, 26 and March 3, 4, 5. The mystery theater show spoofs the movie “Casablanca” and the American Dream of winning the jackpot. The audience will meet crafty Native Americans, sneaky senior citizens, a snake-wielding Australian Croc Chaser, a two-faced lawyer, a kid with two left feet, a gambling casino owner with a Humphrey Bogart complex, and a gold-digging ex-wife.
Cast members for the comedy include Joe Berardi as Rick; Danielle Petrucelli as Candy; Kenneth Fowler as Croc Chaser; Michael Purdy as Dudley Wadsworth III; MaryClaire Bongiovanni as Stella Portabella; Jessica Steele as Carmella Portabella; Frank Favata as Chief Wooden Nickel; Irene Yalicki as Princess Wanna Wampum; and Roberta Almeida as Lola.
The show is directed by Linda Wielkotz and produced by Mark Peterson, who also serves as the president of the Theater League of Clifton. Wielkotz’s directing credits with the Theater League of Clifton include “Murd-arrr!!! Pirates of The Salty Dog”; “B-I-N-G-O Spells Murder”; “I’m Getting Murdered in The Morning”; “The Last Cruise of The S.S. Minnow”; “Lethal Lecture”; and “The World Goes Round.”
Tara Freifeld serves as the stage manager and Maryann Irizarry is the costumer. The show is being produced by special arrangement with the Lakeside Players, Tafton, PA. Tony Schwartz and Marylou Ambrose are the authors of the production.
Tickets can be reserved online, by phone or by regular mail. To reserve tickets, call (973) 928-7668, or visit the theater league’s website (http://www.theaterleagueofclifton.com). Tickets are priced at $45 per person (there is an additional $2.50 fee per ticket for all credit card reservations). The theater league’s mailing address is: PO Box 4072, Clifton, NJ 07012.
Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 4 p.m. Ticket reservations include dinner at Mario’s (salad, pasta, chicken, sea bass, vegetables, potato, dessert, soda, coffee and tea).
Founded in 2005, the Theater League of Clifton is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the arts through theatrical performances, while providing quality entertainment for all ages. The Theater League welcomes volunteers in all aspects of performance and production.