That is the big question during the play “Who Dunit and to Whom?” which is the latest production from the State Street Theater Company. The play takes on a classic who dunit tale with a unique perspective.

“It’s about an author who is writing one of his umpteenth plays,” Director Wendy Tuttle said. “He’s never had a play published, mainly because he’s not a very good writer. His thought forms, the characters of the play, start to rebel because he does such goofy stuff. They start taking over and doing things they want to do rather than what [the writer] thought.”

Director Wendy Tuttle said she had wanted to host a production of the play after learning of it several years ago. She said she is happy everything came together for it now, as the cast has been phenomenal.

“The best part is I was able to find a cast that is able to do this,” Tuttle said. “Comedy is not easy. Getting people who are willing to go out on the limb, to act a little bit quirky and be able to keep a straight face while they’re doing it is a real challenge sometimes.”

Pizza Guy (Jon Smith) talks to Shelley (Victoria Renner, left) and Mother (Marie Guggisberg, right). Given the play is about a third-rate writer, some characters have more thought put into their names than others.

In preparing for a comedic play like this, Tuttle said timing is key and not an easy thing to master,

“Timing is always important in comedy,” she said. “Things really have to be timed accurately. We were just able to get on the set recently and all of a sudden the characters have been acting and there haven’t been doors that they have to time coming through, there’s been walls so they can’t see what’s going on. They have to listen to what’s going to come on at the right time.”

Tyler Brigger has the role of Harold Finnegan, the failed playwright whose characters rebel against him. As Finnegan types with a typewriter and narrates his character’s actions throughout the play, Brigger is on stage for a majority of the play. He said this means a lot of lines and plenty to memorize.

“I have a lot of long bits that are just myself talking as I’m narrating what is going on on the other side of the stage,” Brigger said. “It’s definitely getting things down when you’re not going back and forth with other characters sometimes, just to remember everything.”

Brigger has worked with State Street since moving back to New Ulm in 2019. He said what makes this play different from others he has been in is the timing requirements and the plethora of twists and turns.

Hazel (Charlie Mihlbauer) presents a stuffed piglet to Harold Finnegan (Tyler Brigger) Though the play is mainly a comedy, it also has its share of sweet moments.

“There’s a lot of comedic timing between different groups,” Brigger said. “My character is the writer so as I make changes in the script, they have to respond. There’s just so many layers. It’s like a cake or as Shrek would say, an onion.”

There are also some relative newcomers for this season’s play. Among them is Robin Bishop who plays Police Officer #1, one of four police officer characters in Finnegan’s story who he cannot be bothered to name. Bishop said this is her first play ever, as she was encouraged by a work colleague to get out of her comfort zone.

“It’s been pretty nerve-wracking for myself,” she said. “The cast and crew have been so helpful and I’m a people watcher so I watch and learn from many of them. Many of them are pretty great. The experience is nerve-wracking but exciting all at the same time.”

While it has been more work than she anticipated, Bishop said she has thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and camaraderie cultivated by State Street Theater.

“It’s like a family,” she said. “I started off volunteering and I just feel like I’ve belonged.”

The cast of Who Dunit and to Whom prepare for their next scene while on stage. (L-R) Top: Pizza Guy (Jon Smith), Police Officer #1 (Robin Bishop), Police Officer #4 (Paul Hennig), Police Officer #2 (Elijah Friese), Harold Finnegan (Tyler Brigger), Hazel (Charlie Mihlbauer), Tessie Finnegan/Trixie (Ash Larson) Bottom: Montgomery (Brennan Glawe), Delores (Michelle Gag), Elizabeth (Kristina Bergeson), Chief of Police (Richard Gurska), Grip (Joe Vos), and Anytime/Kristina (Kylie Rieke)

This will also be the first play held with the new seats and renovations in the theater, as the wooden narrow seats have been replaced with wider cushioned versions.

The show runs Friday through Sunday, April 12, 13, and 14. Friday and Saturday performances start at 7 p.m. while Sunday’s starts at 2. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, available from statestreetnewulm.org or the theater’s box office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.