By Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

Mystery will meet comedy in the upcoming Off Broad Street Productions performances, “Don’t Try to Wake Him, Hand Me the Shovel.”

“We’re not professionals, but we have fun,” co-director and ArtsRevive board member Cindy Stoudenmire said.” If we’re having fun up there, the audience is going to have fun too.”

The play is sponsored by ArtsRevive, and will have three performance dates: Friday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. Each performance will be held at the Performing Arts Center.

“As long as we have enough people in there to laugh at the jokes and be heard from the stage, I’ll be happy,” Stoudenmire said.

The two-act performance features everything from a haunted house, convicts trying to hide a dead body, and two investigative reporters who are desperately trying to save their jobs by finding out — is Billingsgate Mansion haunted?

But even with all the talk of ghosts and dead bodies, Stoudenmire said the show is appropriate for all ages.

The cast is filled with local residents, and Stoudenmire said this is just one thing that makes the performances so fun.

Tickets are $10 for adults $5 for students and can be purchased at Truax & Co. on Broad Street, from ArtsRevive board members and cast members, as well as at the door.