The Lynn Canal Community Players (LCCP) will resume community theater in April after a long covid-caused hiatus with a production of the Agatha Christie mystery “A Murder is Announced.”

Production director Roger Gentry said the LCCP board chose an Agatha Christie production based on the near-universal love audiences and readers have for her stories.

“Right now, as much fun as we can bring to the community, the better,” Gentry said. “Agatha Christie is always popular. Her sales were topped only by William Shakespeare and the Bible. We thought that would be a good choice.”

The play is set in a small English village when the local newspaper publishes a curious posting in its personals section indicating a murder will take place at a local home. Drawn by the listing’s intrigue, village residents head to the home where the would-be murder is set to occur. The lights go out, and the plot thickens.

“Like every Agatha Christie story, there are a lot of eccentric characters,” Gentry said. “It’s set in 1950. Post-war England was a time when they had a lot of new immigration. A lot of those small communities, where you used to be able to trust everybody, were suddenly filled with strangers so that level of trust was impeded. It sets up some of that paranoia and nervousness about strangers in the community.”

LCCP is holding casting calls for 12 roles on Sunday, Feb. 17 at the Chilkat Center from 2 to 5 p.m. The production will also require volunteers to help with costumes, props and backstage.

Christie, born in 1890, was a prolific author whose works have been adapted and produced for radio, television, film and the stage. Her works are known for their drama, comedy, mystery, suspense and clever plot twists, Gentry said.

Gentry said even those nervous about acting on stage should consider trying out.

“There’s a non-speaking role,” Gentry said. “There’s a body.”

For more information, contact Gentry at 520-331-8652 or Smith at 766-2708.

LCCP plans to resume additional theater offerings as well with a summer production and a summer youth theater camp, board member Annette Smith said.

The last production staged by LCCP was “Grin and Bear It” in November 2020. Seating was limited to 50% of the theater’s capacity. Tod Sebens attempted to stage two singing competitions since the pandemic began. He canceled both due to a lack of volunteers and pandemic protocols. Gentry said LCCP will follow whatever covid rules are in place for the Chilkat Center.