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Allied Arts play a classic 'whodunnit' - with a twist
Kathleen Higgins/writer@qvr.com
Tiffany Yeates, Nancy Connelly, Christopher Ornelas and Patric Connelly act out a scene from Murder’s in the Heir, which will open Friday, July 16 at George’s Community Park.
The Quincy Valley Allied Arts production of “Murder’s in the Heir” is an interactive comedy-murder mystery where the audience decides the fate of the characters.
The melodrama was written by Billy St. John and is directed by Sherri Kooy. The play features Christopher Ornelas as Simon Starkweather, a billionaire who wills all his money to his family, then changes his mind after he decides he wants to be cloned.
Starkweather is found murdered before the new will is valid. Starkweather’s staff and family are under suspicion, especially after various potential murder weapons are found. The rest of the play is spent figuring out “who done it.”
“The audience picks who the actual murderer is going to be at intermission,” said Vonna Harris, who plays Fiona Starkweather. “The murderer may change every night and we have to learn all the endings.”
The only characters who cannot be chosen as the murderer are detective Mike Davis, played by Bob Jasmine; lawyer Lois Van Vandt, played by Janice Van Diest; secretary Kathy Collins, played by Mickie Yeates; and Simon Starkweather’s grandson Simon Starkweather III, also played by Christopher Ornelas.
“It’s a fun one. You’ll see a lot of different characters,” Harris said. “Some people had to back out at the last minute and new people are in their place. It’s been tough, but a good time and good group of people.”
Jasmine, as Mike the detective, and Tiffany Yeates, who plays Nancy Pollard, Starkweather’s young maid, joined the cast about two and a half weeks ago. Kooy thanked the two for stepping in at the last minute.
“We have a great group of people,” Kooy said. “The whole cast helps direct it and we all work together.”
The play is being performed Friday, July 16 at 7 p.m. at the outdoor stage in George next to the community hall, and Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at White Heron Cellars. Bleachers will be provided in George, but attendees may bring chairs or blankets. Chairs will be provided at White Heron and wine will be sold before the play begins and during intermission.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. Proceeds benefit the George Community Hall.
