WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

Stained Glass Playhouse will present “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. at Stained Glass Playhouse, located at 4401 Indiana Avenue in Winston-Salem, in the former sanctuary of Marvin United Methodist Church. 

A synopsis: The creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop – in which three chorus girls were murdered by the mysterious “Stage Door Slasher” – re-assemble for a backer’s audition of their new show at a Westchester estate. But soon the infamous “Slasher” strikes again … and again … and again. A blizzard cuts off any possible retreat, bodies start to drop in plain sight, and accusing fingers point in all directions. With no help from the bumbling police inspector who snowshoes in to investigate, the team must solve the mystery on their own and unmask the “Slasher” themselves. 

Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors (60+), $15 for students and teachers, and $10 for children under 12. For tickets, go to www.stainedglassplayhouse.org.

Stained Glass Playhouse had an interesting beginning. According to their website, the former sanctuary of Marvin United Methodist Church was vacated in 1960, when the new (current) sanctuary was built next to it. The origins of Stained Glass Playhouse lie in the church youth group’s Easter and Christmas productions. So as not to interfere with church functions, a decision was made to fix up the old sanctuary, to be used for these seasonal productions as well as for concerts by the youth group’s members.

Renovations of the old sanctuary were led by a core group of six church members. Over the years, these founding members have been responsible for set building, running lights, writing, directing, singing, acting, and other unseen but very important backstage duties.

Stained Glass Playhouse was dedicated in 1981, and in its first two years it was the venue for three concerts, a Christmas production and an Easter drama. The first major production was done in 1983 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the church. Over the next decade, the Playhouse continued to produce youth musicals, original productions, and even dinner theatre. In 1995, the Playhouse presented its first Broadway musical with “Fiddler On The Roof,” which sold out its final weekend.

Stained Glass Playhouse was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1997, and was granted its 501(c)3 non-profit tax-exempt status in1998 as a community theatre. In 2008, the Playhouse was admitted into the membership of The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County. It is a non-profit community theatre specializing in affordable, professional-quality productions in a small, intimate setting. They offer productions and theatrical events which encompass moral messages, family values, and community issues.

Stained Glass Playhouse’s history reminds us that our lives are, as we sometimes refer to ourselves, “A Stage Without Curtains.” We laugh, we cry, we live, and we learn about love, joy and peace, with no curtains to hide behind.

Come out this weekend and support community theatre at its finest.