OHS looks at mystery plot

A mysterious murder is brewing at Orland High School next week.

No, it is not a real death plot, but a comedic look at the murder-mystery genre as the school's drama students complete their last production of the year.

"Murder's in the Heir" opens Tuesday for a three-day run at the 101 Shasta St. campus. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $3 available at the door.

Instructor Tim Milhorn has assembled a cast of 16 juniors and seniors to put on the play that centers around a "tyrannical billionaire" played by senior Travis Farlinger.

"He is very greedy," Farlinger said following rehearsals this week.

The young actor declined to comment too much about his character as that could give away the plot, he said.

Farlinger is joined by actresses Taylor Sandate and Meredith Longoria in this mostly light-hearted work.

Sandate said she plays a "rich air head" similar to many portrayed on television these days.

Longoria's character is a Southern girl "who acts sweet but really is not." she said.

The play is listed as "an audience interactive murder-mystery comedy," the actors said.

This means the audience will get to choose or vote who the killer is each night of the play. There could be a different murderer every night, they said.

Farlinger actually plays two characters, he said, but he did not describe the second one.

"Everybody has a big part in this play," Longoria said, and it has a lot of twists, Farlinger added.

Sandate said "We are excited because we've never done anything like this. These are new extremes."

All of the characters have some funny moments, the actors said.

Sandate said playing her "air head" is fairly easy because she can ad lib if necessary. However, Longoria must maintain a Southern accent throughout which can be difficult, she said.

"It has been a great year," Sandate said. "There are a lot of good memories" even though this will be the seniors last performance on an Orland High stage.

For more information, call 865-1210.