Brandon Twp.- By his own description, Dan Rickabus is a ‘cynical cuss.?
He will soon play one in ‘The Butler Did It, Again!?
‘I like the character because I get to goof around,? says the Brandon High School senior who will play Chandler Marlowe in the murder/mystery spoof. ‘It’s comedic and a breath of fresh air from the average high school play.?
Rickabus notes the play has a lot of special effects including lights and sounds, courtesy of technical director Jeff Hughes.
Cathy Ciesielski, a BHS English teacher for 35 years and chairperson of the English/foreign language department, is directing the play. She has directed the fall play at BHS for 27 years and originally wanted to do ‘Clue? this year, but the screenplay was too expensive to obtain. She researched numerous plays and found ‘The Butler Did It, Again!?, by playwright Tim Kelly to be the most like what she was looking for.
In the play, a publisher rents a Louisiana plantation house and invites several authors for a weekend, insisting they play their fictional characters. She also introduces them to Ruth Dice, her latest author, who has contempt for the others. The play features a storm, Charlie the Alligator, murder and tea and biscuits.
‘It has lots of twists and turns,? says Ciesielski. ‘I like the writing. Tim Kelly is an excellent playwright and puts in enough suspense elements to keep the audience guessing. If the audience figures it out I’d be surprised.?
The play is a comedy as well as a mystery and Ciesielski expects the audience will probably laugh even when a character dies. Many of the characters are parodies of famous detectives and actors are encouraged to add their own spin.
Being able to add to her part is one reason Kathy Noble, a BHS junior who plays Jane, is enjoying the play.
‘It’s a really fun part,? she says. ‘The play is good, but what you can add is fun. We can make it really goofy.?

IN A BOX: ‘The Butler Did It, Again!?, a play by Tim Kelly, will be performed at 7 p.m., Nov. 4 and 5 at the Brandon High School Performing Arts Center, 1025 S. Ortonville Road. The play runs about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Tickets are $6 adults and $4 students. $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

CAST:
Mrs. Maple- Joyce Schwartz
Jane- Kathy Noble
Mrs. Danvers- Brett Auger
Chips- Ron Besemer
Chandler- Dan Rickabus
Ruth- Katie Lenartowicz
Linda- Lynsey Crain
Laura- Hannah Connop
Rick- John Schwartz
Tony- Glen Fife
Loui- Nick Bono
Father White- Mike Di Mercurio
Charlie the Alligator- Jennifer Broadwater