A Secret Look At The Mysterious Wisterias with Ricky Graham

Escape into a 1940s whirlwind of murder, mystery, and mischief played out by dubious detectives, glamorous starlets, stealthy spies, wisecrack reporters, and scatterbrained chorus girls in the live production of The Mysterious Wisterias.

Gracing the Stage Door Canteen at The National WWII Museum, this war era spectacle will open Friday, Oct. 3 and run through Sunday, Nov. 23. Leading this zany cast of eight is local favorite Ricky Graham, who is also co-writer and co-mastermind of this comedic thriller.

“We wanted the show to have the feel of a 1940s B-movie comedy/mystery — the kind of thing Bob Hope, or Abbot and Costello would have done,” Graham explains.

“These movies were made during wartime and were pure escapism for the American audience,” he says. “We wanted to capture that sense of silliness on the stage.”

Working alongside director and long-time pal Sean Patterson, Graham explains how it was a delight to write a drama so period and stylistically specific.

The Mysterious Wisterias, which refers to a supposedly haunted Louisiana plantation home called “The Wisterias,” offers audiences an intriguing, murderous plot filled with silly and outlandish excitement. While on a journey of discovery, showgoers are carried to a state of hilarity.

“Playing comedy for a New Orleans audience is an absolute joy!” Ricky Graham says, “They come in and want to laugh and have a good time. They’re always more than willing to meet you more than halfway.”

Excited to hit the stage this weekend, Graham anticipates the adrenaline rush, and the magical moments played out in front of a live audience.

“There’s nothing like sharing in the laughter that a live performance generates.” He says. “When you and the audience are both in agreement that what’s happening is funny, it’s the closest thing to heaven on earth that I can possibly imagine!”

Judging from Ricky Graham’s and Sean Patterson’s previous comical chemistry and reputation for staging a truly captivating performance, locals can be sure this production at The National WWII Museum will be a must-see.

“I hope the audience will get caught up in the stylish silliness — we’re all shameless hams and playing right out to them!” Graham says.

For showtimes and tickets, visit us here.