O'Hara Players stage murder mystery

"Murder Runs in the Family,” a comedy whodunit, will be on stage Nov. 17 and 18 in the Performing Arts Center at Cardinal O’Hara High School in the Town of Tonawanda.

A press release stated, “The annual fall play – with Dylan Flynt playing the seedy, wise-cracking private eye, Jack Sparks – will lead the audience on an evening of twisted mystery.

“Sparks’ latest job is protecting Heather Pallfeather, played by Bethany Mandaville, whose father died rather mysteriously and whose will is to be read at midnight.

“But which ‘will’ will it be? There’s one substituted by the ex-con son-in-law, Claude Purdy, played by Nick Pavlovich; or the one switched by crazy Uncle Zed, played by Chris Salvo.

“Even the butler, played by Drake Burke, is a suspect since he carries a gun and seems to know more than he’s telling.

“Heather’s mother, Mirium, played by Hailey Crawford, seems a bit batty, but she has a plan of her own. And dead bodies pile up like firewood as Jack tries to unravel just who is killing all the Pallfeathers — and he only has until midnight.

“Unfortunately, the prime suspect is Jack himself. Throw in a lady of mystery, twins who are never seen together, and a thunderstorm, and Jack comes to the conclusion that murder runs in the family.”

Cast members include Charlotte Murphy as Patricia Purdy, Giavonna Adinolfi as Maxine Pallfeather, Lizzy Kane as Kathleen Pallfeather, Kimorah Menifee as Cleo Burdette, Gracie Bell as the Messanger and Michael Brennan as Ben the Uber driver.

The show is co-directed by drama club advisers Lyn Porcelli and Colin Sperrazza.

It will be performed at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 and 2 p.m. Nov. 18. Tickets are at $5, available at the door.