The Armory at Brighton Cultural Center will play host to scheming villains, crusty sailors and a damsel in distress when Platte Valley Players stages its latest production, “Dark Deeds at Swan’s Place,”  Friday at 7:30 p.m.  

    Brighton resident Kelly VanOosbree directs the production and also plays the role of Carlota Castanet.

    “It’s a good time,” she said. “It’s fast-paced, and it’s just going to be a good laugh. And this will be at the new Armory, and we’re excited to have the show at the new facility.”

    The Platte Valley Players Web site provides a synopsis: “Dark Deeds at Swan’s Place” (or Never Trust a Tattooed Sailor) is a tongue-in-cheek, uproarious, melodrama with no redeeming social value whatsoever. This sparkling entertainment is loaded with laughs and seedy jokes. Montague Leech and Carlota Castanet make a tidy profit shanghaiing lads from a disreputable tavern. The owner expires leaving the tavern to his only heir, Bertha Birthright. Montague must get rid of the damsel. Enter Jack Swan, English sailor with a love for the theatre. He offers Bertha protection and the hilarity mounts, especially after gold is discovered.”

    VanOosbree became involved with the Platte Valley Players when she moved to Brighton in 2005. She made her directorial debut in February 2008, and this will be her ninth show as director.

    “This is a big departure as far as the kind of show I’ve directed,” she said. “To a certain degree it’s sort of improvised. You see a different show every night, and it will be exciting for people in the audience. It’s the first time I’ve directed a melodrama, and it’s been really fun because I have sort of a wacky sense of humor, I like Monty Python.”

    An Iowa native, VanOosbree grew up involved in theater. Her mother directs and runs a theater in her hometown. She studied theater at the University of Iowa, then moved to Denver after graduating. She’s enjoyed being involved with a local theater company once again, she said.  

    “Working with the Platte Valley Players is nice because I can do something close to home. The people involved are really nice people, talented and hardworking,” she said.

    Next up for the Platte Valley Players is “Our Town,” opening July 16. VanOosbree will direct that production as well.

    “I find this production entertaining, so I hope others will,” VanOosbree laughed. “If they’re looking for a good time with some comedy and some music and something takes them back to something they might have seen when they were a kid, this is definitely for them.”

    For information on this event, and upcoming events at the Armory, or directions on how to get there, visit Web site at www.brightonarmory.org, or call 303-655-2026.