Fountain Hills Theater, Mainstage Too, will open the drama “The Runner Stumbles” on Friday, May 1.

“The Runner Stumbles” is based on a true life murder mystery.

A young nun has died under mysterious circumstances in a remote parish in northern Michigan, and her superior, Father Rivard, has been charged with her murder.

The action alternates between interrogations, testimony and scenes from the past which reveal that Father Rivard, who had been banished to the small, up-country parish, fell in love with Sister Rita; and when circumstances forced her to move into the rectory with him, his anguish became unbearable.

In the spring he was in love with her, in the winter he was on trial for her murder.

“The Runner Stumbles” is produced by Anne Kelleher and directed by Peter J. Hill.

The cast includes Jeff Carpenter, Carlee Coulehan, Bob Feugate, Curt Hills, Carrie Ellen Jones, Donna Kaufman, Timothy Pittman, Marren Sanders and Richard Wells.

“The Runner Stumbles” will play May 1-10. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Individual tickets are $23 for adults and $18 for children 17 and under. Seniors receive a $5 discount on Thursday performances. Group rates and student rush discounts are available.

All performances are at Fountain Hills Theater on its Mainstage Too at 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd.

Tickets are available through the Theater Box Office at (480) 837-9661, ext. 3, and on the website www.fhtaz.org. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.