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Published: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 / Updated: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 12:26 PM

Ready for a night of Murder and 'Mayhem'?

Fort Mill playwright ready for opening of new production

The City Club of Rock Hill will be transformed into a slaughterhouse in a new dramatic production, "Murder and Mayhem at the City Club."

The four-act play by playwright Greg Paxton of Fort Mill will be presented Aug. 15 and 16 at the downtown City Club, 140 E. Main St., Rock Hill. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The play, set in 1900, begins as a mill payroll robbery but escalates into a murder case with several different murders and suspects.

The play, in its third version, has been adapted to fit the Rock Hill area, Paxton said. He said he wants the audience "to feel as if it were happening at this geographic location."

"I think there's a lot of wit," Paxton said, referring to the play's literary and historic references. "It's basically to entertain the audience."

In the production, Sherlette Holmes, niece of detective you-know-who, investigates a killing with Pinky the Pinkerton Man, despite other suspects.

Other characters include Gen. Teddy Bullram, Lily Slangly, Dr. Siggie - who has a Freudian complex - Edgar Allen Schmoe, the notorious outlaw Black Jack Ketchme and sinister but plain Samantha LaCurr.

People in the audience will vote for the suspect whom they think is the killer. A prize will be given by the City Club to the best detective in the audience.

A five-course meal will be served in between the four acts and desserts will be served at the end of the performance. The play is produced by Main Street Theater with Terry Roueche in Rock Hill.

The play actors are Tamara Altman, Joe Burnette and Raj Karottukunnel of Rock Hill, Hugh Loomis of Fort Mill, Ashley Faison of Tega Cay and Steve Lancaster of Charlotte.

Tickets are $50 each and reservations are required at 980-2525.