View to an Audition

     The James Bond film franchise turns 50 this year and, with the release of the new film Skyfall in November, fans are excited. Coming to Suffolk University that same month is the James Bond parody play, A View To A Murder. The play is a murder mystery dinner theater in which the audience is completely involved with the show. View To A Murder takes place in MI6 headquarters, where James Bond himself and his associates like M, Q, and Miss Moneypenny, are involved with a murder within the headquarters. Although a parody, it still pays tribute to all the films and characters in the franchise.

     The main focus of dinner theater is the audience, as it is up to them to help the characters solve the mystery. The Performing Arts Office gets the audience involved beyond that, too. For example, when audience members enter the Donahue Cafe, where the show will be held, the entire area will be made to look exactly like MI6 headquarters. Fans of James Bond will be excited to be in the world of MI6 and espionage, while non-fans will appreciate the work that has gone into the setting.

     Auditions were held at the beginning of October. Students memorized a monologue, then chose a part of the script, which is being written by local playwright Paul Farwell. A majority of the students who were trying out all had major theater and acting experience, like Ashley Niemic, a sophomore, who acted all throughout high school and in the dinner theater show last year. Lillie Greenwood, a freshman, was also there. Greenwood was excited about trying out for her first college play after years of doing theater. Andre Kozlov, a transfer student, said, “I love all kinds of acting, I can do it all.” Kozlov has experience acting in films along with theater. All three actors were great kids and seemed to be very passionate about the show.

     A View To A Murder opens in November with three shows on the 15th, 16th, and 17th. Tickets are $10, including dinner, and the show takes place at the Donahue Cafe. To those who auditioned: break a leg. To everyone else: go check out this amazing dinner mystery theater. Then check out Skyfall in theaters. After all, you only live twice.