"Where There's a Will, There's a
       Murder" opens Nov. 12
   

November 3, 2010

If you attend Mayfield Central School’s dinner-theater show “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Murder,” don’t expect to sit in one of the high school auditorium’s seats.

 Instead, you’ll see all the action right from your table on stage.

 Drama/music teacher Nicholas Anker wants the audience to feel like a part of the comedic murder mystery – he hints it may include some interaction between the characters and audience.

Mr. Anker and 13 of his first-year drama students (ranging from grades 9-12) present the show at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12 and Saturday, Nov. 13.

The place traces the tale of 10 distant relatives who gather in a mansion during a stormy weekend and learn that each of them is about to inherit one million dollars. There is one catch: if anyone doesn’t make it through the weekend, his or her share will be divided equally among the others. You can guess what happens next.

Mr. Anker said most of the students don’t have previous acting experience, but he’s pleased with how they’re doing. “They’re really coming out of their shells,” he said. “They’ve started opening up.”

The cast includes: Lyndsey Barber, Ryan Bumpus, Kiera Davis, Molly Gifford, Regina Green, Lisa Hime, Cody Horowitz, Brianna Manchester, Thomas McCellan, and Carly Poyfair. Emma Rodriguez and Emily Antos make up part of the production team.

Drama is more than a fun extracurricular activity; it reinforces valuable life skills. Acting in a school production teaches the students about team-building, Mr. Anker said, and also develops confidence.

“It gives them confidence to speak and act in front or a large group of people,” he said. “To be able to speak clearly and articulately in front of a group of people is something they’ll need in college and for the rest of their lives.”

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be served shortly after the performance begins and includes salad, spaghetti, dessert, a roll, coffee and other beverages. Tickets are $10. Reservations are preferred, so call 661-8200 for tickets. All proceeds go to the Mayfield Drama Club and Mayfield Choir Program.