Dedicated cast brings ‘Murders’ to life at Concordia
Print Edition
THE musical comedy “Murders of 1940,” performed by Concordia International School Shanghai’s High School Theater, was a phenomenal success. The play, comedic and entertaining from start to finish, filled the Rittmann Center with uproarious laughter and surprised gasps. The play wasn’t your typical everyone-is-trapped-in-an-old-house murder mystery. The plot develops into a labyrinth of twists and turns that quicken as the play progresses.
By the end of the play, we have witnessed three on-stage killings and five different character identity revelations, including that of Ken De La Maize, the eccentric director, who is unveiled to be an infamous murderer known as the Stage Door Slasher. With so many twists, you have to applaud the exceptional work of the student actors who managed to pull off such a topsy-turvy drama.
I sat down with a few of the cast members and was amazed to hear about the amount of work they dedicated to this production. To embody their roles, the actors had to thoroughly get to know their characters. Harper Lagares, who played Elsa Von Grossenknuten, told me the cast did character analyses of their individual roles, which they later shared with the rest of the group. That is how they were able to “all be different, but compliment each other at the same time,” she explained.
For Luke Miller, who portrayed Sargent Kelley, understanding his character in depth was essential to bringing out “the characteristics that were most important.” Luke studied US crime dramas to help him master the speech and mannerisms of a typical NYPD sergeant. And in preparation for her role as the German maid, Shelby Wilson assumed a German accent even when she was at home with her family.
Needless to say, the dedication and the chemistry of the cast was apparent in their page-to-stage translation of this humorous whodunit.
“Murders of 1940” showcased the talent and commitment that audiences have come to expect from Concordia High School Theater. I was so enamored with the story and scenery that I saw it twice! I can’t wait to see what they do with “The Addams Family” scheduled to run this April.
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