Tutu, toeshoes, Leo and corn. Murder mystery in a winter storm. For their fall show, Theatre will perform “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” Oct. 16-18 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. The show will take place in the Legacy PAC, and tickets will be $7 for adults and $5 for students
“This show is a refreshing twist on a classic murder mystery that might be seen as overdone or predictable,” senior Zoe Narvarte said, “but we have a lot of cool twists and interesting turns that will leave the audience not knowing what’s next.”
Students auditioned for the show on Aug. 21 and rehearsals began the following week. The show consists of an ensemble of 10 characters in America during World War II when Hollywood and murder mystery films were booming. Theater Director Jeremy Ferman worked to place students in roles that best fit and bring his vision for the show to life through the cast and the set.
“Our kids are really good at fast paced comedy and ensemble work,” Mr. Ferman said. “Somebody said, ‘Who’s the lead in the show?’ I thought, everyone really carries a big portion of the show. It’s not like a standout, you’re the lead, everyone has to do their part in order for the show to work.”
The show offers an immersive experience with music before and during intermission, setting the tone and taking the audience back to 1940 with the characters. The set enhances the performance with a functioning radio used, snow outside the doors and two chandeliers that help bring the story to life. Senior Cade Pickrell plays Roger Hopewell in the show. He worked through challenges with character development.
“[The challenging part is] figuring out my character’s motive for being there because he kind of just shows up, and then he just starts making drinks,” Pickrell said. “He’s very flamboyant and he’s very over the top, bouncing off everybody, but then he’s very sassy and very down to earth.”
Throughout the performance, the different characters work together to solve the murder mystery at hand, and they use the set to develop the plot further.
“This is probably the biggest set we’ve done in a while,” Mr. Ferman said. “Getting the timing right and getting the set to work with the actors because there’s so many moving parts.”
In short, this show tells a suspenseful, hilarious and unpredictable story.
“My favorite thing about playing Helsa is all of the range that I get to show in my acting and all of the things that I get to do,” Navarte said. “She has so many different fun character choices and stunts that she gets to do, which is really exciting.”
