TCHS cast members are preparing for opening night of the murder mystery comedy, The Bold, The Young and The Murdered on Saturday, May 2, at 7 p.m., in the TCHS Auditorium.
Tucker County High School Theatre Company opens its annual spring show this Saturday with its first performance of The Bold, The Young and The Murdered, a murder mystery comedy by Don Zolidis. Senior, Bayli Helmick, who is serving as this year’s Director, explained, “The play is about a group of cast members stuck on set all night long, because the producer informed them they must finish the show that night or it will be cancelled. Everyone starts dying and the rest of the cast tries to solve the murder.” Helmick said this is the first murder mystery the theatre company has performed since Phantom of the Soap Opera three years ago.
The characters in the story are portrayed in dual roles as both their soap opera characters and true identities, creating more of a challenge to the theatre cast. The show is also a little longer than those normally performed by TCHS and features a large cast. Junior, Kaylee Nedrow, serving as Assistant Director, added, “The spring show has been a new challenge for us due to the extended length of the show, but everyone has worked well together to ensure the comedic lines are mixed in well with the new murder mystery feel we wanted to present.”
Nedrow portrays the role of Kaitlin, the stage manager, who moves into the position of director after his demise. “Once Kaitlin moves up into the soap opera director’s chair she goes a little overboard on wanting to finish the episode and becomes blind to the reality of the situation. But I guess no one can say she doesn’t have her eyes on the prize,” laughed Nedrow.
Sophomore, Abigail Holm portrays Danielle Ferris and her soap opera character Jessica. She described her character as “extremely witty, but a bit too nice and oblivious to the way others treat her. Holm said she plans to fill the position of Assistant Director next year. “Being in the play has helped me to come out of my shell and enjoy the experience of high school. I have become more appreciative of the theatre program and other opportunities offered at school as a result of my involvement in the program.” Holm said she remembers her older sister’s plays being very good, but as time passed students seemed to lose interest in the program. She said she believes the program seems to be improving with better plays and more people coming to see them. “Serving as Assistant Director will be somewhat challenging, but that is probably what I will enjoy most. I look forward to more people coming in and I’m hoping the theatre program will continue to grow.”
Producer Jay Smith added, “We were ambitious with the play we chose, but we’ve put a lot of work into it.” He also announced this will be his final production at TCHS and in West Virginia. “I’m leaving to pursue other interests at my home in Rochester, New York or abroad. Being away from my family has been the most difficult part of living here. I’m looking forward to spending some time with them. I’ve had a great time here running the theatre department, and it will be difficult to say goodbye to everyone.” The students said they will miss Smith, and it may be difficult to adjust to the change, but they understand his decision. “It’s been a great run with him. We hate to see him go, but we wish him the best as he moves on to new endeavors.”
Helmick concluded, “As Director, it’s been great. We pulled the last play together perfectly, and I’m assuming we’re going to pull this one together too! It’s been very stressful, but worth it.” She described the play as “perfect fun for the whole family.” Helmick said she welcomes everyone to come out and support the theatre department during one or all of the performances on Saturday, May 2 and May 16, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 and May 17, at 2 p.m., in the TCHS Auditorium. For more information contact TCHS at 304-478-2651.
