Scooby gang rolls into Cape to solve 'Musical Mysteries'

Strains of the "Scooby Doo" theme and people trying to imitate the animated dog's speaking voice will likely be heard around Cape Girardeau before and after the "Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries" show takes the stage at 7 p.m. May 2 at the Show Me Center.

The production features Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang -- Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Velma. The show includes crazy ghosts, puzzles, Scooby Snacks and the Mystery Machine, traveling to solve mysteries wherever they're found.

Stephanie Gandolfo stars as Daphne, Alex Reitze stars as Fred, Cody Collier stars as Scooby-Doo, Garrett Lewis Dill stars as Shaggy and Melanie Burg stars as Velma in a production of “Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries.” The show will be performed at 7 p.m. May 2 at the Show Me Center. (Submitted photo)

The musical is presented by Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Life Like Touring. It will feature musical numbers including the Scooby-Doo theme song, "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?" as well as the original numbers, "Round Every Corner" and "We're Mystery Inc."

Alex Reitze, who plays Fred, is basically the leader of the group who is always ready to suggest a game plan. In this production, Reitze said in an interview with the Southeast Missourian, the gang gets a letter from a theater haunted by a ghost that's scaring performers. The gang investigates and, with help from the audience, finds the spirit.

Reitze said he's been rehearsing with the eight-member cast since mid-February, "so I'm relatively new to the gang, compared to a few people."

The show is "very high-energy" and interactive, he said. The biggest reactions come when Scooby or the ghost take the stage. And, of course, a big part of Shaggy and Scooby's plot revolves around trying to find Scooby's stolen snacks.

"If there's a higher form of motivation for the two of them, I don't know what it is," Reitze said.

Acting professionally for six years, Reitze said he toured with "Curious George Live" a couple years ago.

"It's very fun to be back in that kind of mindset again where the audience, particularly the young audience, gets so invested in the characters. It's a fun time," he said.

"I absolutely love performing for children. There's such a purity to their reactions to the show," Reitze said. "A child is never going to try to be a good audience member. ... The energy you get from children is unlike any other. Seeing their faces when Scooby comes out on stage is always fun to see."

Garrett Lewis Dill stars as Shaggy and Cody Collier stars as Scooby-Doo in a production of “Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries.” (Submitted photo)

This touring company puts on six to eight shows a week in as many as three to five cities and will be on the road until June 15. The Cape Girardeau show is one night only and then they hit the road again. While they don't have the opportunity to travel in the Mystery Machine, Reitze said, "Thankfully, they do put us in a pretty nice bus" with bunks, so they can grab some shut-eye.

A native of Rochester, N.Y., Reitze was in a community production of "Peter Pan" when he was 10. He now lives in New York City.

The tour is stopping in mainly Eastern U.S. and Canadian cities, but travels as far west as Texas and Oklahoma.

After this, Reitze said he'll be in productions of "Spamalot," a musical comedy adapted from the "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" film, and "Witness for the Prosecution," an Agatha Christie play, at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater in Arrow Rock, Mo.

"Scooby-Doo Live!" also stars Cody Collier as Scooby-Doo, Garrett Lewis Dill as Shaggy, Stephanie Gandolfo as Daphne and Melanie Burg as Velma.

Doors "Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries" open at 6 p.m. Tickets are still available in advance and at the door. Prices are $17.50, $25.50, $39.50, $49.50, and $59.50 (VIP). For more information or tickets, call 651-5000 or visit showmecenter.biz.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.