Submitted by Angela Bin
FSHS Thespians to Perform Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
“Who dunnit?” is the question to answer in Fort Scott High School Thespian’s production of “Wedding Song” at 7 p.m. on April 7 and 8, at the Beaux Arts Centre, in Fort Scott.
FSHS Thespians are excited to undertake the unique endeavor of a murder mystery dinner theatre.
“Our auditorium is currently under construction, so we have been looking for unique ways to produce theatre beyond the walls of our school,” said Thespian Director Angie Bin. “The Beaux Arts Centre offered us the opportunity to try a new kind of theatre that students are having so much fun with and will involve lots of audience interaction.”
Author David Moberg says, “The action begins with Sonny (senior Briant Martin) and Jenna (sophomore Daniela Belcuore) enthusiastically welcoming the guests (the audience) to their wedding. One by one, Sonny’s wealthy family and friends arrive… and not one has ever seen or met Jenna before… particularly Sonny’s domineering mother (freshman Kaitlyn Hanks)! Mistaken identities, secret plans, unexpected surprises abound as the characters plot and pry to keep Sonny from “marrying away” the family fortune! And of course… this IS a murder mystery… someone has to die! And the audience HAS to help the clueless detective (senior Hunter Parker) find the murderer!”
Seating is limited for each production, so audience members are encouraged to buy tickets soon. Adults are $19.50 and children 12 and under are $14.50. Tickets must be purchased by April 2, and are available at Beaux Arts Centre, 102 S. National, and Country Cupboard, 12 N. Main, in Fort Scott. Admission includes dinner by Chef Tim Harloff featuring Pasta Baronesa (pasta with a butter/cream based sauce with chicken, prosciutto, veggies, and cheese) and Crazy Caprese Salad (fresh mozzarella pearls, grape tomatoes, fresh basil, red onion, and a balsamic glaze drizzle). There is a vegetarian pasta alternative too. Wedding desserts are provided by local baker Bree Spurgeon.
Contact Angie Bin at abin@usd234.org or 620-719-9622 or visit the “Fort Scott High School Thespians” Facebook page for more information.
Fort Scott High School Takes on Broadway and the Big Apple
Ten Fort Scott High School students studied theatre on Broadway and explored New York City this spring break. Leaving on March 17, the group spent five days sightseeing with Pro Musica Tours and staying at the Watson Hotel in Manhattan, N.Y.
Students traveling included freshmen Levi Bin, Kaitlyn Hanks and Hevyn Loden; sophomores Hunter Adamson, Mary Gladbach, Audra McFarland and Alyx Brooks; and seniors Briant Martin, Hunter Parker and Alexis Loden. FSHS Thespian Director Angie Bin sponsored the tour.
“I loved experiencing different cultures and races as well as watching people getting along and making the best out of all conditions in New York,” said Hanks.
Highlights of the experience included a nighttime trip to the Empire State Building, a tour of NBC Studios (including Jimmy Fallon’s and Saturday Night Live’s studios), the stage door tour of Radio City Music Hall where the group interviewed a Rockette, Rockefeller Plaza, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial and One World Tower, Central Park, Lincoln Center and Julliard, Times Square, Chinatown, Little Italy, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity Cathedral, and Grand Central Station.
Parker said, “We got the chance to see how interesting and diverse NYC is and watched some amazing shows such as ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’”
A brand new musical, “Dear Evan Hansen,” starring Ben Platt (“Pitch Perfect”), was the pinnacle of the trip for many of the students. They also saw “School of Rock” and were pr
ivileged to have a talk-back session with the members of the cast after the show. They learned that the children in the show are from all over the country and play their own instruments in the production. They also met the star of the Broadway show, Eric Petersen.
Professional actor Malachi Nimmons equipped students with improvisational acting techniques and actor David DeBesse taught the students in a stage combat workshop. Students also took in a production of the spectacular “Lion King.” On the group’s final day in NYC, an episode of “Law and Order SVU” was filmed in their hotel lobby. Students were able to see all the behind the scenes technical aspects of filming for television and witnessed live actors shooting scenes.
Professional actress Marci Reid served as tour guide in NYC. Levi Bin said she and the other actors taught him, “that by hard work and determination you can reach whatever goal you set out to reach.”