he Wild West was weird.

PUBLICITY PHOTO (Click for a high rez photo)

Sheriff Clint Wayne has a word with the local banker, Handel de Monet

A gold map! A runaway bride!
An outlaw seen getting off the train!
Oh, and one murder so far.

(It’s been a slow week in KO)

Sheriff Clint Wayne: Tough, by the book sheriff, with a weak spot for the ladies. Thinking about retiring and running his farm.
Outlaw Black Eyed Pete: In town to investigate the death of his brother, Wild Eyed Pete.
Colonel Saunters: Former Civil War colonel. Known for bravery in the face of retreats.Essentially, a big coward. Just recently arrived.
Some say he has a gold map.
Mustang Sally: Tough as nails, sweet as sugar. She hates wearing dresses, and is known for doing what she’s told.
Can Can Kelly: Used to be quite a well-known can-can dancer out in Texas. Now runs Kelly’s Saloon and Dining Hall.
Shirley Gottsacoldfeet: A runaway bride. Fast and wild mood swings. Said to be armed and perhaps a little crazy.

PLEASANTON HAS A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN!
Pleasanton Hotel Presents a Brand New Murder Mystery Show!

GibsonHouse Mystery Performers and the Pleasanton Hotel team up again to present another brand new murder mystery dinner show. On August 15 and 22, “Murder at the KO Corral” will be playing in downtown Pleasanton.

Along with enjoying dinner, audiences will partake in a crime-solving adventure where Sheriff Clint Wayne tries to figure out who murdered the notorious villain Wild Eyed Pete, who was gunned down just inside the KO Corral.

This show marks the second murder mystery written by East Bay resident James Leonard Koponen, who’s been a local performer for over 15 years.

Koponen, whose background includes hosting community television and performances in nearly 20 Pleasanton Playhouse musicals, is excited to once again launch another show after having written “Murder in Space,” which premiered three years ago. “I actually figured that was it after “Space” went up,” says Koponen. “Writing a show isn’t the most difficult aspect. It’s the constant revisions that make me just want to just burn up all my pages.”

Audience members are invited to dress up in their favorite western attire. Several people from the audience will also be offered lines—if they’re willing to participate. “We never force anyone out of their shell,” says GibsonHouse owner and director, John Gibson. “Many people simply want to laugh and remain silent. That’s fine, too.”

While GibsonHouse had a Wild West script already in the repertoire, Koponen wanted to offer a more updated version. “The time period is still post Civil War,” he notes. “But I felt the old script was a little too dated. The new one offers more allusions to modern cinema. As well, the characters are a little more three-dimensional. The good guys aren’t always good—that sort of thing.”

Despite a lot of western vernacular, Koponen also includes some subtle English corrections, which comes as no real surprise as he’s finishing his master’s in English Literature this year. In the fall, he’ll be teaching English composition to freshmen at Cal State University, East Bay. “During initial readings, fellow actors were carefully examining all my lines, looking for any possible grammatical errors,” Koponen said. “There were a few, but to be sure, they were only typos!”

While mysteries are offered twice every month at the Pleasanton Hotel, “Murder at the KO Corral” plays only on August 15th and 22nd. Advanced reservations are required and can be made by calling (925) 846-8106. For more information, visit the company’s website: www.gibsonhouse.com.

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If you would like more information about this, or would like to schedule an interview with either John Gibson (owner/director) or James Koponen (actor/writer), please call John Gibson at 1.510.331.0788, or James Koponen at 925.699.1705. John or James may also be emailed at John@GibsonHouse.com or james@heyjames.com (respectively).