Black Comedy "This Murder Was Staged!" Offers Entertaining Evening of Live Theatre in Lake Wales

When the director falls out of the closet-seemingly dead-the entire Teen Production grinds to a halt. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect in Lake Wales Little Theatre's summer teen play, This Murder Was Staged!

LaVaughn Williamson

Detective Ken Drake (Parker Dunagin) examines the inert form of the widely-despised director Sinclair Hemmings, played by Kiersten Mcleod, after her apparent murder.

This annual production showcases a cast of 17 student performers in a pithy spoof of the murder mystery genre and theatre culture itself. Prima donnas, wordy playwrights, and callous theatre critics-oh my!

In the middle of the play-within-a-play, the "murder" of universally loathed director Sinclair Hemmings (Kiersten McLeod) sends stage manager Trudy Mitchell (played by graduating LWHS senior Peyton Hedley) into a dryly comic, monotone frenzy. Fortunately, Detective Ken Drake (Parker Dunagan) happens to be in the audience-and quickly turns the entire auditorium into a crime scene.

When they say everyone is a suspect, they mean it. Detective Drake isn't letting anyone leave until he cracks the case, anything you say at the snackbar before the 50/50 raffle can and WILL be used against you!

LWLT's Teen Program offers students hands-on experience in all aspects of production-from set design and construction to sound and lighting. This year marks the second season of the LWLT Student Director initiative, with rising senior Natalie Kahler assisting adult directors Leslie Grondin and Felicia Wittman in shaping and executing the production's creative vision.

LaVaughn Williamson

The cast and crew of the Lake Wales Little Theater's annual teen plan gain valuable insights and experiences. The non-profit theatre is seeking public support to continue their live theatre performances.

This Murder Was Staged! is both a celebration of live theatre and a loving homage to detectives like Dick Tracy, mysteries like Clue, and even the antics of Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang.

The production runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. through June 15. Tickets are $10 for students and $14 for adults, available at lwlt.org.