‘Bull in a China Shop’ Houma theatre’s latest

Houma attorney Roy Bonner may not have grown up dreaming of being a crack police detective, but he finds himself on that side of the law in this month’s Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne production of C.B. Gilford’s “Bull in a China Shop.”

It’s Bonner’s first theatrical effort, and, so far, he’s a great addition to Le Petit’s thespians, according to his director.

Bonner plays homicide detective Dennis O’Finn, the tall, handsome bachelor who has captured the attention of a gaggle of senior citizens … only he has no idea of his six elderly neighbors’ love interest.

“Bull in a China Shop” is a comical whodunit featuring an unlikely cast of killers.

Dubbed “a genteel murder mystery,” the play finds the six sweet but balmy old maids delighted when they learn O’Finn has moved in across the street from the boarding house.

“They watch him through the window with binoculars,” says Ouida Best, a longtime Le Petit board member and director of the mystery comedy. “They decide the only way to get him [to their home] is for someone to die.”

And that’s when the fun begins.

So, how do six elderly women embark on a life of crime? As genteelly as possible … over a nice cup of tea.

O’Finn is quick on the scene to investigate, much to the delight of his fawning fan club. But the crime attracts unwanted attention, too. A brash, young reporter pays a visit and soon suspects the truth. It doesn’t take the women long to come up with a solution to their predicament – and out come the tea cups and rat poison.

Bonner’s O’Finn is seriously embarrassed when he finally discovers that he himself is the motive for the goings-on, and, in desperation, manages to solve the case. But his would-be suitors are too fond of him and, in the end, turn the tables on him … or do they?

“Bull in a China Shop” got its start as a short story in “Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine,” Best said. It was chosen as one of the best mystery stories of the year for inclusion in the anthology “Best Detective Stories of 1957.” Later, suspense director Alfred Hitchcock produced an abbreviated version of the story on his TV show, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” Eventually, Gilford went back and expanded the story into a three-act play.

Le Petit’s cast includes theatre veterans and Le Petit board members Robyn Hornsby as Miss Elizabeth, who won’t share her binoculars when spying on O’Finn, Edwina Yakupzack as the cheapskate landlady Miss Hildegarde, Pat Crochet as the motherly Miss Amantha and Jeanne Scott as the ditsy Miss Nettie. Joining them are Joel Waldron as Detective 2nd Class Kraemer, Ani Ashley as dogged reporter Jane Rogers, newcomer Hope Theriot as Miss Lucy and Bonner.

“I’ve always wanted to do this,” Theriot said of her theatrical outing. She tried out for Le Petit’s last offering, “Return to the Forbidden Planet,” but didn’t land a part. “I really can’t sing, so I wasn’t expecting to get a part,” she said.

But when she heard about “Bull in a China Shop,” Theriot said she was more hopeful.

At age 44, she is the youngest of the old lady-killers. “She’ll have to be aged,” Best said. “But the rest of these women are pretty old already.”

Drawing from her late Aunt Toot’s personality, Theriot said she found inspiration for the ever-opinionated Miss Lucy.

“My aunt, Lydia Daigle, was an amazing lady,” the first-time actress said. “I’m using many of her mannerisms with Miss Lucy.”

Director Best said the interaction between the cast, most of whom are onstage throughout the production, promises to be fun for the audience.

And, according to Theriot, the women are almost typecast for their parts. “Ouida has us all pretty much pegged,” she said, chuckling. “My character calls anyone younger than her a ‘hussy.’ Pat’s character [Miss Amantha] is bossy; Birdie is dingy. … It’s us to some extent.”

“This will be a fun show for our audience,” Best said. “It’s got all the elements our crowds enjoy – laughs, mystery and plenty of interaction.”

“Bull in a China Shop” runs Sept. 16 through Sept. 26 at the Houma playhouse.

Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $12 for general admission seating. To reserve tickets, call (985) 876-4278.