Historical sleuthing

From the IndyStar.com:

They have a killer evening planned at the Morris-Butler House in October. Seventeen characters from fact and fiction will join forces to help solve a whodunit in the progressive mystery play “From Dark Pages.”

Shannon Borbely, administrator of the 1865 mansion museum, says the interactive play has been presented — with changes in the script — nearly every October since 1992.

“It’s a smart show. You’re interacting with great real-life and figurative characters from the 19th century,” she says.

They include Dracula, Edgar Allan Poe, Lizzie Borden, Queen Victoria and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

“Jack the Ripper is on the loose somewhere in the house. Sherlock Holmes is tracking him, and the audience gets to move from room to room with the action.”

Joan Rapkin, who plays Queen Victoria, broke a bone in her foot in a car accident on the way home from a rehearsal and has something to hide — her cast. “It’s purple. I asked them for the darkest color they had,” she said.

Nine of the home’s 16 open-to-the- public rooms are used in the 45-minute production; stair-climbing is required. Friday and Saturday shows in October are at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. To reserve $10 tickets, call (317) 636-5409.