JEFFERSON DAILY COUNTY UNION - A murder has been committed in a parlormaid's bedroom.  The nude occupant of the room is found in a dead faint, pistol in her hand.  Did she shoot her lover?  It is the duty of the newly appointed examining magistrate of to determine the truth.

So opens, "A Shot in the Dark," second of the humorous summer offerings of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of Theatre.  Fred Sederholm directs the spicy French comedy adapted by Harry Kurnitz from Marcel Achard's play, "Li'Idiote."  It will be presented in Barnett Theatre, Center of The Arts, July 5-9, with curtain at 8 p.m.

A newcomer to the Whitewater stage, Melanie Loftus, Deerfield, speech-drama graduate of Milton College and member of the Waterloo High School faculty, takes the role of Josefa Lantenay, whose uncomplicated enjoyment of life and unbridles tongue cause despair to thoughtful attorney Paul Sevigne, who is investigating his first Paris case after having been promoted from a post in Lyons.

Sevigne is played by Kevin Parcell, Whitewater, whose impressive credits include the recent "Hay Fever," "Scapino!," "Threepenny Opera," Madwoman of Chaillot," "Women in Power," "Woyzeck," and children's theatre.  Loftus, too, has extensive experience -- Corrie in "Barefoot in the Park," Celia in "A Hatful of Rain," Mary in "J.B.," Raina in "Arms and the Man," directing, and children's theatre.

The solid supporting cast is headed by Paul Breitsprecher, Fort Atkinson, of the UW-W library faculty.  Holder of a master's degree in theatre from Northwestern University, Breitsprecher ahs been active in Fort Atkinson Community Theatre and has delighted recent audiences here in "Madwoman of Chaillot, and "Scapino!!"  He plays the chief investigator, Lablache, in "Shot in the Dark.

Whitewater residents Kelly Kane and April Scharine, of the successful "Hay Fever" and other fine performances, return, respectively, as Sebigne's young wife and Madam Beaurevers, descendant of a long line of blue bloods.

Richard Kelly of the UW-Whitewater psychology faculty, makes his local bow in the role of Benjamin Beaurevers, well-thought-of banker and head of the household in which Josefa is employed.  Beaurevers' inability to speak without convolution of words contrasts ludicrously with Josefa's plain talk.

Dan Leverenz, Whitewater junior in English, is seen as Morestan, who shares Sevigne's examining office and coaches his new associate in the ways of investigation.  Both have previous state experience, as does Richard Pawlitke, Two Rivers, who completes the cast in the role of the guard.

"A Shot in the Dark" was first presented in New York in October, 1961, with Julie Harris as Josefa, William Shatner as Sevigne, and Walter Matthau as Benjamin Beaurevers.

Tickets for the UW-Whitewater performance can be reserved by phoning 472-3171.  Holders of season passes also must phone to reserve seats on the evening of their choice.  Final show of the summer season July 25-30 is a Jean Kerr comedy, "Finishing Touches."

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Photo:  ssstage.dancinman.com