A wealthy yet ailing uncle summons his relatives to his mansion during a raging thunderstorm. The audience quickly finds out why: he will announce changes to his will.
As with most eccentric and mercurial billionaires who gather relatives together, two things are bound to happen: the relatives learn they will be cut out of an inheritance they covet, and the wealthy uncle will end up dead. True to form, old Uncle Starkweather is murdered, and the perpetrator could be anyone in the large cast.
This murder-mystery-comedy is unique in one significant aspect: the audience is asked to participate by selecting the character they think is guilty.
Audiences will have the chance to play the guessing game at the Craig Drama Guild’s performance of Murder’s in the Heir, a play by Billy St. John. Performances are Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, at 7 pm, and Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 pm, in the small auditorium. Cost of the play is $5 for students and senior citizens, and $10 for adults. Baked goods will also be offered for sale.
The story begins as various relatives of Simon Starkweather gather at his mansion. They soon learn that he is changing his will to direct most of his $50 billion fortune to clone himself, which means several relatives will have their inheritance cut to almost nothing. Before attorney Lois Van Zandt (played by Madeline Condon) can file the paperwork for the will, however, Starkweather is murdered.
The characters include scheming relatives, a sharp detective, a greedy attorney, and various servants. Every one of them has a motive to commit murder. But who actually commits the crime? Through a series of flashbacks and backstories, the audience is able to make their own judgments and choose the suspect.
The play also contains the convention of a play within the play. The “director,” Jean Culpepper (played by Kasiah Babler), interrupts several times to comment on the action and to clarify the relationships among the characters. The “director” also breaks the fourth wall by asking for the audience’s participation. She even criticizes the script and the performance of the actors, much to their dismay.
The comedy, suspense, and action of Murder’s in the Heir provide the audience with nearly 2 hours of solid entertainment.
Who are the actors and crew of the play Murder’s in the Heir?
The play is directed by English teacher Ms. Wiegel; the assistant director is English teacher Ms. Ballweg. The cast is divided into three groups: the Family, the Staff, and the Professionals (and the students who portray them).
The Family: Simon Starkweather & Simon Starkweather III (Corbin LaVelle); Fiona Starweather (Lillian Sarow); Jordan Starweather (Alan Nounsacksy); Paula Thompson (Ashley Carroll).
The Staff: Bensonhurst (Scooter Graves); Mrs. Trent (Claire Dieckhoff); Minerva Walker (Shae Weir); Nancy Pollard (Faythe Pospischil); Rufus Jones (Rieleigh Pitkin)
The Professionals: Attorney Lois Van Zandt (Madeline Condon); Miss Withers (Brisa Torres Garnica); Kathy Collins (Khloe Colson); Detective Mike Davis (Trevor Beed); Director Jean Culpeppe (Kasiah Babler); Usher (Allison Raymond); Understudy (Torsten Janssen)
The Stage Crew: Costume Director/Usher (Zacrye Crowe); Assistant Costume Director/ Prop Master (Aleah Bowman); Stage Manager and Sounds (Jaelyn Sherman); Lights (Anastasia Schaaf); Spotlight (Jaydien Pal); Stage Crew (Abbigail Shegonee)
