Youth putting on murder-mystery comedy
Annie Bosson and Xavier Lewis practice a scene from “Murder at The Goon Show.” Josie Sellers |Beacon
COSHOCTON – The Footlight Players are taking a different direction this summer with their youth production by featuring a comical, murder mystery play.
“We wanted to let the kids sharpen their acting teeth and it’s good to mix it up and not be predictable,” said Shelly Lillibridge.
“Murder at The Goon Show,” a killer spoof in two acts where life is all fun and games until something goes tragically wrong, is directed by Lillibridge and produced by Marissa Crawford. This murder-mystery comedy combines fun and bizarre talent show elements reminiscent of The Gong Show with the suspense of a good old-fashioned whodunit.
“It kind of reminds you of a Scooby-Doo mystery,” Lillibridge said.
There are 33 children in “Murder at The Goon Show.” They range in age 8 to 18 and Lillibridge said they come from every school district in the county and she even has a few homeschooled students and some from out of the county. Three children also are helping backstage, one is running the concession stand and two have taken on the lights and sound with 15-year-old Jarrett Brenneman at the helm.
“They learn camaraderie and dedication because this is a huge commitment,” Lillibridge said. “There also are kids that become friends here that probably never would have met. We have a girl from River View and one from Coshocton that you can’t split apart.”
This is Ruthie Cameron’s sixth production at the Triple Locks and she is enjoying the challenge of playing a mime.
“I get to act out what people are saying and that’s something I’ve never done before,” she said. “I like being in plays and getting to be a different person. It’s fun.”
Cameron will be in eighth grade this fall at River View, where one of the leads in the play, Xavier Lewis will be a junior.
Lewis plays Greg Lonsdale, the creator of The Goon Show.
“He’s a jittery guy, but also energetic and likes to be in charge,” Lewis said.
This is his first play at the Triple Locks and he was surprised to land a major role.
“It’s been a pretty cool experience,” Lewis said. “The people here are really great and I like the atmosphere.”
Performance dates for “Murder at The Goon Show” at the Triple Locks Theater are Thursday through Saturday, July 14-16 and July 21-23 with an 8 p.m. curtain each night and on Sunday, July 17 and 24 with a 2 p.m. matinee.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students. To make a reservation, call the Footlight Players Box Office at 740-622-2959 from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 6 to 8 p.m. on performance days or visit www.footlightplayers.com.
Category: Arts & Entertainment, Multimedia, Photo Galleries
