RVHS to present "Cooking Can Be Murder" this weekend
A county fair judge turns up dead during a bake-off competition, and everyone has a motive in Royal Valley High School’s production of “Cooking Can Be Murder.”
A classic “whodunit” murder-mystery, “Cooking Can Be Murder” by Eddie McPherson features an arrogant judge, a hardnosed detective and a host of cutthroat competitors that will keep audience members guessing who the murderer is until the end.
The play, which is directed by Stephanie Allen and April Gordon, will be performed at 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday at the elementary school gym in Hoyt.
When the judge at the county fair drops dead from poisoning, the motives of all seven competitors are questioned, Allen said.
“We use reenactments to help the audience understand why anyone would want to kill the judge,” Allen said.
During the seven reenactments, a previous encounter between the judge and the competitors will be shown, revealing any possible reason for poisoning the judge.
The cast includes 26 students in grades sixth through senior in high school. Many of the cast members play a variety of roles throughout the reenactment scenes, Allen said. Rehearsals began Sept. 21.
“It’s always a challenge when you have a cast that big, but we’re ready for this weekend,” she said. “I thought it would be fun to do a murder mystery.”
Members of the cast include Tanner Holte (master of ceremony), Gabrielle Simmons (Detective Rufus Annette Biddle), Kyle Meyer (James Valentino Casanova Bond), Allison Clements (Hedda Hare), Noah Spencer (Paige Turner), Hannah Sutton (Robin Banks), Hanna Allen (Carrie Oakey), Taylor Holte (Jane Smith), Porcha Evans (Ella Mentry), Karsen Smith (Howie Diddot), Catrina Smith (Whiffer, Romena and Monica), Marissa Jackson (baker, dog walker and secretary), Hannah Smith (Cathy and prom attendee), Hannah Schnacker (Gail and prom attendee), Reaghan Koon (Gracie and Darlene) and Keigan Kebert (seminar participant, boy, prom attendee, nagging wife and Rodney).
Additional cast members include Lexi Greene (seminar participant, Taylor and Dora), Erica Knight (seminar participant, prom attendee and Joe), Paige Weddle (Aunt Sylvia, dog walker and Lori), Amanda Sutton (Jennifer, prom attendee, Flo and Loretta), Abby Harding (Mama Jean and Bad Howie), Sondra Owings-Priest (Geneva, dog walker and student), Fallon Greene (dog walker and Beverly), Blake Holte (policeman and Detective Drake), Haley Harding (Good Howie and Sydney) and Laurel Lundin-Burger (Miss Glass and Sharon).
Advance tickets for the two-act play are available for purchase at the high school office. Adult tickets are $7 each or $8 at the door. Tickets for students (10 and under) are $5 in advance or $6 at the door. Cheesecake will be served during intermission and is included in the ticket price.
Prior to Friday evening’s performance, a dinner will be served at the RVHS commons for $6 a person as a fund-raiser for the school trip to Italy in 2017. The dinner will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will include lasagna, salad, French bread, dessert and a drink.
