Play-within-a-play keeps audiences laughing and engaged
Amurder happening on a dark and stormy night ... with nine possible endings to the mystery.
“Murder’s in the Heir,” performed by Eden High School, presents a mysterious and comedic play filled with twists and turns and unexpected finales. When billionaire Simon Starkweather is murdered in the first act, one of his nine heirs must be to blame. This interactive, murder-mystery comedy lets the audience decide the outcome of the murder, and the cast created a perfectly entertaining balance of comedic and dark aspects.
“Murder’s in the Heir” is a playwithin-a-play, with a “director” intervening throughout the show, adding humorous interjections. Not only was it a charming extra character who added a lighthearted attitude to the murder, but he also explained the story behind the options and incomplete ending, which assisted with the overall understanding of the show. Having an unknown ending may come as a shock to the audience, but the cast executed a fantastic finale. Everyone embodied their roles and made sure to perfect every detail, such as a consistent accent done by Lauren Jonah as the Southern Belle of the heirs. The audience-determined murderer Jordan Starkweather, played by Sam Kearney, always held his playboy swagger. Kearney’s final villain monologue was delivered convincingly, especially considering it was one of nine possible denouements.
Set design and props also played an important role in creating the foreboding locale.
The set displayed as a cozy living room during a stormy night, and in the modest theatre at Eden High School the audience seemed as if they were watching the mystery unravel on an opposite couch. The set was also intricately detailed by being hand-stencilled, with symbolism discreetly painted into the wallpaper.
The use of lighting was exceptional throughout the night, especially during the second act when detective Mike Davis, played by Shieh Lively, was interrogating the suspects. After the murder of the old billionaire, the slow reveal of who was out for blood was presented through flashbacks of earlier conversations. The use of the spotlight during these moments was creative. Props also played a prominent role in the play, including real food presented as hors d’oeuvres, an IV for the old billionaire, a knife, an axe and a wrench. Another way the crew of “Murder’s in the Heir” added more detail was through makeup. For example, old Mr. Starkweather was noteworthy because of the detailed creases on his forehead and his cheeks, and the beard for Detective Davis was remarkable.
Not only was the acting and set fantastic and immersive, but the unique ending options entertained the audience with a fresh twist on a classic genre.