Frostburg State University Center for Creative Writing

Valentine’s Day Readings at the Allegany Arts Council in Cumberland

Posted: February 24, 2012 by fsucenterforcreativewriting in Uncategorized

“Manuscript for Murder”

Posted: November 14, 2011 by fsucenterforcreativewriting in Uncategorized

Halloween is over, but the season of mysteries is still looming. On Friday, November 18 the Center for Creative Writing will be hosting “Manuscript for Murder” at the Maplehurst Country Club. “Manuscript for Murder” is a murder mystery dinner about a lost Edgar Allen Poe manuscript.

Tickets are available at Main Street Books, Allegheny Arts Council, and The Center for Creative Writing. The tickets are 40 dollars and include the show and a catered meal. People in attendance will interact with the show but will not be expected to act along with the characters.

“Manuscript for Murder” is written by Ann Burskirk and directed by Professor Mary Ann Chapman. The two collaborated on the presentation of the show.

The story is set at Freezerburn State University. The local Princess Restaurant was a stop for Poe on his trip to visit Freezerburn. Poe ate a Princess Burger and had a chocolate malt. He enjoyed his meal so much that he wrote a poem on his paper placemat and then gave it to his waitress.

The waitress kept the manuscript safe in a sealed container which was never opened. Her family donated the document in 1900, upon the completion of Old Main. It remained sealed, on display in the lobby until it was moved to a climate-controlled chamber in the library. Construction on the library led to the movement of the parchment yet again. The manuscript was temporarily kept in Dunkle Hall, protected by the English department until the library construction is finished.

The manuscript is expected to be read to the public for the first time; however, someone has stolen it. The university is relying on the manuscript, but with it gone, no one seems to benefit.

The play progresses with Graduate students trying to track it down in time for the reading. Dr. Dementia is a great Poe enthusiast. He is a crazy man, but he is also naïve to Assistant Professor Ginger’s sneaky behavior. She is stealing from Dr. Dementia without his knowledge.

All of the characters have motives and secret intentions to get ahead in life. Chapman says, “Absolutely everybody has a motive.” She adds that, “As you’re finishing up your meal, the truth will be revealed.”

The play is dramatic, and someone even dies. To find out what happens at Freezerburn University, get your ticket now.

Your ticket will include a meal and the show. There will also be a silent auction. Some items that will be bid on include books written by local professors, Orioles merchandise, and a gourmet Italian basket.