It’s a musical. And a murder mystery. And a comedy. And it’s ending this weekend, so if you’re hoping to catch Curtains at the Topeka Civic Theatre, you’ll want to head out sooner rather than later.

Curtains centers on an acting company in Boston, set in the late 1950s, performing what is perhaps the world’s hokiest musical, Robbin’ Hood, a take on the classic tale set in Kansas in during the Wild West days. You following that? Anyway, the star diva bites the dust on opening night, and the resulting investigantion leads the entire company to be locked in the theatre until the mystery can be solved. Throw in a detective just as interested in helping the production improve as he is in solving the mystery, a snide theatre critic (played by Topeka’s own theatre critic, Phil Grecian) and a couple mouthy producers, and you’ve got a fun, funny romp that blends musical, comedy and murder mystery into an entertaining metatheatrical evening.

Overall, the actors pull together an entertaining show, with plenty of laughs—though beware some of the production might get a little bawdy for the younger folks, or those with especially sensitive virgin ears—and entertaining, well-performed musical numbers. The play-within-a-play concept isn’t nearly as hard to follow as it sounds, and the mystery elements will keep you guessing the whole time—unless, of course, you’re one of those types who always sees the twist coming five minutes into the show (and if that’s the case, to hell with ya).

Tickets are still available for the weekend shows by visiting the Topeka Civic Theatre website and calling the box office at 785.357.5211. While you’re there make sure to enter the art raffle in the lobby to support TCT’s upcoming (and astounding) 75th season, with work provided by the Friends of Tinkham-Veale.

See it soon, before it’s curtains for Curtains.

[story: Lyle Vaughn / photo: Marc Rapp]