It began as a game but ended in murder.
So goes the plot in the Sleepy Eye Community Theatre’s production of “Web of Murder” set to play Thursday (today), Friday and Sunday in the air conditioned comfort of St. Mary’s Auditorium.
“Web of Murder” tells the tale of the ailing and irritable Minerva Osterman (Laurie Hammerschmidt) who lives in her isolated mansion with her spinster daughter, Stephanie (Ann LaCourse), her long-suffering housekeeper, Nora (Meggan Hoffmann), and her personal physician, Dr. Adler (Todd Hammerschmidt).
Fearing that her death may be imminent, Minerva has drawn up her will and summoned her two nieces, Mary (April Schutz) and Belle (Amy Surprenant), so that she may confront all her possible heirs in person and watch their reactions as the will is read.
Mary and Belle arrive at the mansion with their respective fiancés, Keith Latimer (Jared Schwab) and Pete Martinelli (George Hirschboeck) whom Minerva grudgingly allows to stay. Later, Minerva is also visited by The Man (Jon Jahnke) who is swindling her money.
Before revealing the contents of her will, however, she has the mysterious Dr. Adler put her into a hypnotic trance, during which she picks up a deck of cards and turns over the three of clubs, a prediction that comes true when she herself dies of a spider bite.
After that, more bodies turn up and fear and suspicion grow among the remaining. The will disappears, a diabolic plot is revealed and then, at last, the murderer is unmasked in the final perilous moments of the play.
Director Gary Sassenberg said “Web of Murder” was chosen as this year’s production simply for the fact that putting on a murder mystery was something different for Sleepy Eye Community Theatre. “It’s a genre not usually done in Sleepy Eye,” he said. “It’s a murder mystery that also includes comedy.” 
The cast and crew have been preparing for the production for the past five to six weeks. “It has taken a lot of memorization; there are a lot of lines for each of the actors to learn,” he added. “There is also a lot of movement with each line, energy the actors must portray on stage.” 
Within the cast of nine, two of the actors, Todd Hammerschmidt and Ann LaCourse, make their stage debut with “Web of Murder.” 
Sassenberg said the appeal to the audience comes in the fact that “Web of Murder” is something different for the Sleepy Eye stage, that there is the element of surprise and an aspect of intellectualism in the presentation.
Sassenberg said the audience will be challenged to watch for the expressionism and use of colors both on the set and on the actors. “There is a surprising ‘denouement’ - ending or resolution - to the play.”
Sassenberg commended Sleepy Eye Community Theatre for being able to present quality theatrical presentations year after year. “Some communities can’t get the level of participation found here,” he said, “with dedicated people willing to give the time it takes to prepare (for the stage). 
“The big thing (with the ‘Web of Murder’ cast) is they can work with me and I’m not the easiest guy to work with,” Sassenberg added smiling.
“Web of Murder” will be presented on Thursday (today) and Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Advance reserved tickets are available at the Sleepy Eye Community Theatre box office, located in room 109 at the public school. Box office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. General admission tickets are available at the door.
For more information, call the box office at 794-7873.