It's Just Not Faire THE RENAISSANCE IS FEUDAL The Stanley Volunteer Spring Murder Mystery! Friday and Saturday April 23 and 24
Date Posted: April 2nd, 2010
UTICA, NY (April 2, 2010) - The Bezzler/Fezzler Traveling Renaissance Faire makes a one-of-a kind appearance at The Stanley the weekend of April 23 and 24, 2010.
"It's an historic event," says Walter M. Bezzler, the co-owner of the Faire. "It's not very often we have the opportunity to set up on a real stage and have enough room to do all the Renaissance activities (and food!) inside and not have to worry about the variable spring weather. This should be a splendid opportunity for our patrons to enjoy a great Faire and fill the Faire's coffers."
Created by Marion Bezzler, the Faire has been a staple of the touring Renaissance Faire circuit. Now that there is a new partner in the Faire -- Mr. Bezzler, there will be an expanded Faire, with dancing, jousting, and games of skill in addition to the wide variety of Renaissance characters.
Every year, the Murder Mystery features a local celebrity. The Faire's local celebrity star is WKTV's Kristen Copeland, who plays Dixie Whistler (Molly Fetchit, the Faire's scullery maid), who is most eager to learn about everything and everybody involved with the Faire, no matter what the consequences.
King Waldorf is played by Walter M. Bezzler himself, and the Queen is played by little known and mysterious actress Shelly Blackhand, who has become a star in the Faire after literally coming out of nowhere.
Enjoy the antics of Jester Jingles, the Court Jester, played by Sven Gunderssen from Frostbite Falls, Minnesota. (It's too bad the ladies of the court don't find him amusing!)
Mother Tucker, the Prioress, is played by a former high school cooking instructor, Sally Keelow who has done much research into Renaissance foods.
Prince Kimball is played by the well-known touring actor Andrew Defresne, who has an interesting side hobby of rock collecting.
Beatrix LaRue plays the lovable but proper Queen Mum. Ms. LaRue comes to the Faire after years in "the service industry" (as she describes it).
Music will be provided by Lady Nightingale, played by Marie Pilfaring, who by day collects antiques and can be found virtually lurking on Ebay.
This is all part of the annual Spring Murder Mystery produced by The Stanley Volunteers.
"It's a great Faire, with great entertainment, great food and a murder that will have to be solved by all who attend. There will be several suspects and many motives to sort out as the Faire attendees examine the evidence and interview all the Faire cast and crew," says Jim Revenaugh, the director of It's Just Not Faire. "The search for clues will take patrons throughout the theatre, including many spaces not generally open to the public, such as the Performer's Lounge and one of the work galleries above the stage."
"This year we are featuring a huge variety of opportunities to win valuable gift certificates to many local restaurants and businesses," says Kelly Sinnott, the Murder Mystery producer. "This will be a wonderful chance to win great prizes, and since only 150 people can attend the event each evening, the odds are great to win these raffles."
All proceeds from this fund-raiser go toward continued improvements of the Stanley Center for the Arts.
Tickets for the 6:30pm event on Friday and Saturday April 23 and 24 are now on sale.
Priced at $30 each, admission includes lots of Renaissance-style hearty hors d'oeuvres from Irwin's Fine Foods, a complimentary beverage, an evening of fun entertainment, and platters of delectable desserts.
Tickets are available at The Stanley, 724-4000 or online at www.StanleyTIX.com.
For more information, call The Stanley at 724 4000.
