STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
Ever wanted to commit murder? Let Walter demonstrate how to do someone in—in your imagination, of course—when “The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens” sneaks onto the stage of the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater.
Fourteen drama students will take part in this madcap murder mystery by Billy Wayne St. John, who has written 50-plus plays, including “Abduction” “Southern Fried Murder” and “Thirteen Past Midnight.”
And you, the audience, will have your opportunity to take part in the investigation, as well, asking questions of suspects as you try to figure out whodunnit.
“It’s a murder mystery with a twist,” said Fisher Albright, who plays Walter, the playwright’s alter ego, plus the dead man plus the detective. “Not only do I get to talk to the audience but there’s a lot of improvisation, which will make it interesting.”
“Bringing in the audience will make it more interesting not just for the actors but the audience, as well,” said Jason Cox, who works on the tech crew.
The play, which runs Wednesday through Saturday, March 2-5, at the Community Campus in Hailey, revolves around a tyrannical millionaire named Edward Worthington and a bevy of relatives, business associates and household staff who have reason to wish him dead. They have gathered at his manor—on a stormy evening, of course—to celebrate his 50th birthday.
Among the lineup--make that suspects—are his wife and her playboy brother, his befuddled older sister and his ex-wife, a shady lawyer and his uptight business manager, a sexy southern secretary, a housekeeper, maid, cook and, of course, a butler.
Albright plays the playwright’s alter ego, introducing the audience to the millionaire before disappearing only to resurface as the dead body of Worthington. Worthington is found with the knife for his birthday cake protruding from his back.
But—don’t cry too hard!—you’ll see this nice young man again because he also plays the police detective who invites the audience to question and accuse suspects before the surprising climax.
“Each character has to figure out who we are so we’ll be able to tell the audience, ‘Oh yeah, I graduated for Boston University with a major in financing,’ or something like that,” said Ranger Wynne. “It’s going to be really cool to interact with the audience.”
“Maybe I can say, ‘I’m a World War II vet, or that I wrestle alligators for a living,’” added Diego Marin. “I’m just waiting for an inappropriate question—I think that’ll be fun.”
In addition to dealing with improvisation, the kids have to be nimble to adapt to a play that involves a lot of fast-paced timing, said Cox.
“Something is going on stage all time,” he added. “Maybe one person comes onstage with a vase and you have to wonder what this vase has to do with things.”
The play offers a chance for young actors to learn a variety of acting techniques since it includes a variety of memorable characters ranging from the crazy grandma to a Southern belle, said Gracie Peterson.
“It’s got comedy going on and it’s got a serious side,” added Bryna Neace. “It keeps you wondering whodunnit for sure.”
This is the first live performance with the entire cast on stage at one time that the Wood River High School Drama students have had since “Radium Girls,” which they staged just before the pandemic forced valley residents to shelter in place.
“I missed full-length productions,” said Wynne. “We did scenes, instead, so we could practice in smaller groups, but it wasn’t the same as everyone being on stage at the same time.”
Albright, a senior, noted that his first play with the high school drama troupe was “Clue” in 2018.
“So, we started with a mystery and we’re ending with a mystery,” he added.
The cast includes Fisher Albright, Marina Monschke, Nicholas Fehr, Ranger Wynne, Eva Hatzenbuehler, Lee Trujillo, Zephyra Stream, Hunter Ervin, Aimsley Shearer, Loula Christensen, Kay Angell, Aurora Widdison, Anja Pratt, Diego Marin, Elena Tamayo, Bryna Neace and Gracie Peterson.
Crew members are Kira Korchinski, Kaia Wolfrom, Jaiman Sharp, Jack Eastop, Jason Cox, Sherlin Lopez, Leelan Widdison and the Beginning Drama and Advanced Performing Arts Classes.
The director is Karl Nordstrom, assisted by Christine Leslie, Cathy Reinheimer and Hilarie Neely.
IF YOU GO…
The play will take the stage at 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, March 2-3; and at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 4-5. There also will be a 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday, March 5.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for veterans, seniors and high school students and $3 for middle school students, available at the door.