The WGTD Radio Theater, now in its 14th season, presents the 115th live broadcast of this 12-time award winning series, showcasing the 91.1 Players in “The Kane Shadow: The ‘Gas’ Derler Murder Mystery.”
On Saturday, June 28th, 2018, at 11:15 a.m., the WGTD Radio Theatre will present this true murder mystery drama before a live audience at the Town Square Bar in Trevor, site of the crime. This show stars members of the 91.1 Players and “Orson Welles” as “The Kane Shadow,” is portrayed by Ryan Farrell, an original member of the 91.1 Players.
On August 1, 1930, Louis “Gas” Derler, owner of Gas’ Place, in Trevor, Wisconsin, and his bartender, Ed Dennesty, were shot and killed. There has been talk of this being a”gangland murder,” a hit job by Al Capone's men enforcing the mob rules and tied to some possible private activity by Derler in liquor deals and slot machine rackets, independent of 'alliances' to the Chicago Liquor Association or the Chicago Slot Machine Association. There is one investigator's view that the exhibit of people spending several leisurely hours at the scene of the anticipated crime does not fit the profile typical of gangsters of the day.
Still today, there is the belief that Capone had a hand in the murders. Another view is that the friendship of the Derler's to the Bugsy Moran group may have played a part in the event. That possible friendship with Moran could have irritated Al Capone who may have 'claimed' the Trevor area because he had 'a place' over on Voltz Lake - right around the corner!
No one was ever arrested for the murders and Louis is buried at Liberty Cemetery, in the Village of Salem Lakes, on Highway 83, just south of Highway C. Gas’ Place has since become Towne Square and is once again run by Louis’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Our hero, “Orson Welles,” as the Kane Shadow, who always likes solving a murder, especially a local one, takes a stab at solving this actual “unsolved” crime. Of course, Orson also loves to enjoy a nice juicy steak and his favorite cocktail and even a glass of wine, or two, at one of our great local restaurants.
“The Kane Shadow: The ‘Gas’ Derler Murder Mystery.” Is written by Steven Brown and Michael Ullstrup, co-executive producers of The WGTD Radio Theater,
According to co-writer and producer Steve Brown, “This story is one that many people know about, and Mike Ullstrup and I thought it would be a great story for Orson Welles as our ‘Kane Shadow’ to try to fill in some of the missing blanks into this true story. Who knows, maybe Orson will have to drive by the house near Voltz Lake once owned by gangster Al Capone?”
Stars from the 91.1 Players include: Mike Bavido, Rene Bushelle, Viki DuMez, Tristan Eaves, Todd Eaves, Ryan Farrell, Brett Houdek, Jim McClure, Larry Rowe, Ann-Marie Schmid, and Kathy Zuhlke
The show’s director is Viki DuMez, with live sound effects under the direction of Mike Ullstrup.
The WGTD Radio Theater broadcast will be performed before an audience at the Towne Square Bar, located in Trevor, Wisconsin, at 11338 258th Ct. Trevor is a community in the Village of Salem Lakes, in western Kenosha County.
Audience members are welcomed and admission is free. Canned goods will also be accepted by audience members which will be donated to The Sharing Center, located in Salem Lakes. The audience should arrive by 10:45 a.m.
In addition to being aired over WGTD-FM, at 91.1, the program will also be streamed live. on-line. at WGTD.org, and also on either an iPhone or Android “app” at WGTD FM.
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