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A maniacal murder trial of epic proportions is set to convene at 7 p.m. Saturday at the BC Supper Club Boggstown Cabaret as some familiar faces from the Hope theatre scene bring the laughter and disorder.

Written by local playwright Jason Bowser and presented by Golden Ticket Productions, “Law and Disorder” is a satirical indictment of all that’s wrong with the criminal justice system, says Brad Zumwalt, the show’s producer and owner of the Boggstown Cabaret.   

As court convenes, two very ill-prepared and barely professional attorneys present their cases. The problem is the witnesses are sketchy, the court’s stenographer is doing her best to remain professional, and the no-nonsense judge is short on humor as courtroom etiquette is broken and decorum is dismissed. And it is ultimately up to the audience to decide the truth.

“It truly is a murder mystery,” Zumwalt says. “And the audience is the jury.”

The Civil War-era building that houses the cabaret offers attendees a setting unlike any other in the area and as each show is limited to 54 guests the fourth wall – as traditionally observed with onstage play performances – virtually disappears.

Straight away, the judge addresses the audience and gives them instructions, Bowser says.

“I am trying to run a very serious courtroom and everyone else is losing their minds,” Bowser says.

Throughout the play, the judge does his best to lay down the law and if he isn’t addressed correctly, he isn’t happy, Bowser says. However, the judge isn’t all seriousness as a slight mishap on the bench leaves him momentarily unconscious and when he wakes, he channels more than motions and precedent.

“There are a lot of Elvis-isms at one point,” Bowser teases.

Zumwalt, who also portrays the defense attorney, says the setup and flow of the cabaret milieu is a bit different from a customary dinner-theatre as the cabaret offers a progressive meal.

“We do a scene, then salads are served,” he explains. “Then, we do another scene, and the guests go through the buffet. Another scene follows and then dessert is served.”  

And, of course, no production at Boggstown is complete without a Flaming Bananas Foster made live onstage following the performance.

Actress Falicia Whited plays an array of witnesses and says the intermittent breaks offer not only a breather between scenes but room to become someone else… literally. From a Southern belle to a peace-loving hippy and a trucker, Whited says these roles have made her feel more Lucille Ball than she’s ever felt before. 

“It’s a lot of fun, because you get to do a whole costume change and become this whole other person,” Whited says. “It is different having to do a reset with each character.”

The two-hour-long production was heavily inspired by the 1980s TV sitcom “Night Court,” Bowser says. And though he describes the writing process this time as completely different from what he’s accustomed to, the new territory allows for a type of creative freedom that one doesn’t have with a customary stage play.

“This is a vaudeville type show,” Bowser explains. “It is written tongue-in-cheek and is a free way to write.”

Equipped with comedic elements reminiscent of the movie “Airplane!”, Bowser says there’s a touch of hilarity at every turn – a sentiment seasoned actress Naomi Fleetwood-Pyle wholeheartedly echoes.

“It is an absolute maniacal courtroom,” she says. “Think of ‘Night Court’ on steroids and gone wild.”

Pyle says she's enjoying how this production eliminates the fourth wall creating a completely different setting from which she accustomed.

“There’s always singing, and I just love the atmosphere of a cabaret show,” she says. “I love that I can spread my wings. Even at my age, I feel so grateful and thankful that I can still be onstage and give a good performance. I love that and I thank the Lord for that.”

As rehearsals are tidied up, the show’s cast of five couldn’t be more excited as they prepare for opening night and are hoping audiences “laugh, have fun and enjoy a carefree evening of laughter, songs and pure joy,” Whited says.

“It is bare bones laughter,” Bowser adds. “We strip it all down and go for straight for the funny bone.”

Just the facts...
What: “Law and Disorder” presented by Golden Ticket Productions.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16, April 13, 27; May 25; June 8 and 15 (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.); Matinee show offered at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28 (Doors open at 1 p.m.).
Where: BC Supper Club Boggstown Cabaret, 6895 W. Boggstown Rd in Boggstown.
Cost: $40 per person, includes multi-course dinner and show.

** For tickets and a listing of additional show offerings, visit Golden Ticket Productions HERE or call 317-224-9509.