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This October, the Performing Arts Department at �鶹��Ƶ presents Something’s Afoot, a murderously fun and hilarious musical spoof of Agatha Christie’s classic novel And Then There Were None. 

Set in an isolated English country estate owned by the wealthy Lord Dudley Rancour, ten eccentric guests find themselves stranded when a raging thunderstorm brings massive flooding and power failures. When Lord Rancour is discovered dead under mysterious circumstances, the guests scramble to uncover the murderer—all while falling victim, one by one, to a series of bizarre and hilarious traps and devices. 

“It’s an outrageous ‘whodunit’ that will keep you guessing and laughing until the very last minute,” says Director JoAnn Wilchek Basist ’77.  

JoAnn, who has been directing Cedar Crest productions for almost a decade, describes each character as an outrageous, over-the-top Agatha Christie stereotype. “The cast has embraced this madcap, riotous journey with great gusto.” 

Music and choreography complement the hilarious cast, bringing a zany energy that sets up a playful and satirical tone, ensuring the audience continues laughing as bodies continue dropping.  

Something’s Afoot��features an upbeat 1930s English music-hall style score, with musical direction by Rebecca Pieper and choreography led by Joanellyn Schubert.����

“The music in this show has that great, bouncy��British music-hall feel, so I leaned right into classic 1930s vaudeville movement,” says Joanellyn. “I choreographed numbers to face outward, using big ‘ta-da!’ poses and direct eye contact with the audience to break that fourth wall.”��

The choreography, along with the musical score, helps bring the comedy and mystery of Something’s Afoot to life, with movement playing an essential role in both the musical’s jokes and suspense.  

“The comedy relies heavily on exaggerated physical theater—melodramatic freezes, synchronized head turns when a sinister noise sounds, and slapstick timing. On the mystery side, I use choreography for visual misdirection,” says Joanellyn. “I might have a dance step drawing the audience’s focus to stage left, giving us the perfect moment to pull off a subtle prop trick or set up a sudden character entrance stage right. It keeps the audience laughing while keeping them guessing.”��

���dz���ٳ󾱲Բ�’s&�Բ�����;���ڴǴdz�&�Բ�����;promises a riot of a good time, with murder and suspense running rampant alongside plenty of laughs. For JoAnn, the fun culminates in the show’s final reveal, which she is most excited for audiences to see.  

“The final ‘reveal’ of the murderer is the pinnacle of the show,” says JoAnn.   

���dz���ٳ󾱲Բ�’s&�Բ�����;���ڴǴdz�&�Բ�����;will premiere in Samuels Theatre at �鶹��Ƶ on Thursday, Oct. 1 through Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. 

Tickets can be purchased .