Wrapping up Town Players’ 80th anniversary season will be George Batson’s Design For Murder, opening Friday, October 30, at The Little Theatre.

Opening night patrons will be invited to stay after the show, to enjoy a glass of wine and mingle with the cast and crew.

Murder mysteries are always entertaining, and Design For Murder is no different. Celia Granger (being played by Laurel Lettieri) is trying to maintain her magnificent mansion and the generations-old traditions connected to it. However, she is hampered by a significant lack of funds and the exploits of her spendthrift, playboy son David (John Stevan).

In the midst of this financial struggle, two members of the household staff are killed, and Celia is jolted from dreaming about the past to dealing with the unpleasant present. Everyone is considered a suspect, and the more Detective Carlin (Ron Malyszka) searches for answers, the more dirt he digs up on Celia, her family, and her friends.

The New York Mirror called Design For Murder “a swell chiller. A couple of juicy killings and the identity of the culprit well concealed.”

The Town Players production is being directed by Gene Golaszewski. In addition to those already mentioned, the cast also includes the talents of Bryn Berg, Michele Leigh, April Lichtman, Elaine Reidy, Stephen Ross, and Nicole Yates.

The production crew includes producers Lynn Alexander and Tracy Nashel, production assistant Linda Dohanos, stage manager Pam Meister, lights and sound operator Becca Cardozo, set designer Timothy Huebenthal, and lighting designer Nick Kaye.

Performances will run October 30 to November 21. Curtain times are 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 2 pm on November 8 and 15.

Adult tickets are $22 for evening shows, $18 for matinee performances. Tickets for ages 10 and under are $10 for all performances.

Reservations may be made by calling the box office at 203-270-9144 or by sending an email to reservations@newtownplayers.org. Tickets may also be purchased online by going to the theater’s website, newtownplayers.org.

Town Players of Newtown is a community theater, currently in its 80th anniversary season. Performances are at The Little Theatre, at 18 Orchard Hill Road.