HHS
Turn the game “Clue” into a play and you have the masterfully entertaining “Murder’s In The Heir,” which will be presented at 7 p.m. March 19-21 at 12th Street Auditorium.
Almost every character in this hilarious mystery has the weapon, opportunity and motive to commit the unseen murder. And it’s up to the audience to decide who actually did it.
According to Hays High School Spring Play director Bill Gasper, the play is a classic whodunit, a genre that has enjoyed a bit of resurgence this year with the popular movie, “Knives Out.”
“Of course, so many of us grew up watching Jessica Fletcher, Columbo or many other famous detectives solve crimes on television or reading one of the countless mysteries that have been written throughout the years,” Gasper said.
Gasper said the audience will find the storyline familiar. In this case, each of the heirs to the tyrannical billionaire Simon Starkweather has the means and the motive to do away with him. Starkweather gathers his family and employees to announce the contents of his will. His lawyer, Lois van Zandt, reveals he has bequeathed vast fortunes to his befuddled niece Fiona, her playboy son Jordan, his great-niece Paula (a Southern belle) and his grandson Simon III, as well as to his many servants.
Then Lois delivers the bombshell. Within hours this will becomes invalid. Of course, the rejected heirs are not pleased, so it’s not surprising when they roam the old mansion carrying such items as an ax, a gun and poison.
Predictably, the lights go out, and Simon is discovered murdered. What makes this play unique is that the audience gets to vote at intermission on who it thinks committed the dastardly deed. Based on their vote, the ending changes accordingly.
“It has all the elements of the mysteries many of us grew up reading or watching on television — a dark and stormy night, phone lines not working, family and staff members all with strong motives, cool lighting and music effects, a detective who solves the crime, and finally, the killer confessing his/her guilt in a lengthy monologue,” Gasper said. “Because I’m a fan of the genre, I really enjoyed the opportunity to direct this show.”
Gasper said 15 students are in the cast, while five others are helping with other aspects of the production.
“This has been a great group this year,” Gasper said. “They are very talented and have done a great job with this play. The best part is that I only have two seniors so potentially there will be a ton of talent returning next year.”
Tickets are $6 in advance and $7 at the door. Tickets can be purchased from 4 to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays at the 12th Street Box Office or can be purchase online at www.ticketsource.us/hays-high-school. Gasper noted there is a small convenience fee added for online purchases. Tickets are general admission and are good for any one of the three nights of performances.
“I want to encourage everybody to come out and give us a try,” Gasper said. “If you haven’t watched one of our spring performances, I know you will be surprised at the wealth of talent on display on stage.”