This year’s Spring Play cast held their first read through of “Murder’s in the Heir” by Billy St. John in the Lecture Hall on Jan. 21 after school.

“I’m pretty pleased with the cast, and I think [the read through] reinforced that,” Director Bill Gasper said.

“Murder’s in the Heir” is a classic who-done-it comedy that features a variety of eccentric characters who all have the motive to kill. At the end of the first act, the audience members cast their votes on who they think committed the murder.

During the second act, the audience continues to play “armchair detective,” weeding through alibis and picking up on clues until the murderer is revealed.

“It’s going to be different, and we’ll see how the actors respond to all these different people learning the ending,” Gasper said. “That part can be under-rehearsed if we’re not careful.”

Along with audience involvement, Gasper said the show will be made more interesting by new atmospheric elements.

“We’re going to be able to put some suspenseful music in between the flashbacks, the lighting will be dark and mysterious, and we’ll have thunder and lightning,” Gasper said. “I think it’s going to be fun.”

21cleiker@usd489.com