Solve the case of 'Murder’s in the Heir,' a Flathead High School production

Flathead High School Theatre invites audiences to channel their inner detective and help bring justice — or chaos — to Simon Starkweather’s mansion in “Murder’s in the Heir,” a clever and interactive whodunit.   

Inspired by the classic board game Clue, this fast-paced murder mystery by Billy St. John invites the audience to do more than sit back and watch — it calls on them to solve the crime by voting on who they think the killer is during the intermission.  The ending changes based on the votes, so each performance offers a different resolution.  

“Every character has a reason to kill and a weapon,” director Luke Johnson said. “They spend much of the show trying to act innocent, which makes them all look guilty. That creates a lot of really funny moments.”  

The story starts in Starkweather’s opulent mansion. Starkweather, a tyrannical billionaire with more enemies than friends, calls together his colorful cast of family members and household staff to hear the reading of his will. His longtime lawyer, Lois Van Zandt, delivers shocking news: Simon is leaving vast fortunes to his niece Fiona, her playboy son Jordan, his great-niece Paula, and his grandson Simon III — as well as to several longtime staff members. But just when everyone is celebrating, Lois reveals a bombshell: the will is about to be changed. Within hours, the heirs could lose everything.  

“Everyone is ready to kill Simon before the new will comes into effect,” Johnson explains.  “And when he does indeed end up dead, everyone becomes a suspect.”  

As the lights flicker, chaos is unleashed. Characters sneak through hallways carrying suspicious items — an ax, a gun, a pillow, a fire poker, or poison. When Simon is discovered murdered, it’s up to his grandson and a tenacious detective to piece together what happened. But even they won’t know the identity of the killer until the audience decides, which drew Johnson and the students to select the play.  

“There are also a lot of fun opportunities to break the fourth wall, and the audience becomes part of the experience. We wanted to do something that felt alive, unpredictable, and fun — and this show gives us that in spades,” he said.  

The production features Acting 2 International Baccalaureate students, who have taken on the challenge of portraying multiple endings. They’ve used the performance to explore techniques in character development, physical storytelling, vocal dynamics and nonverbal communication for the class.  

The cast includes Taylor Welch, Elysia Hernandez, Jackson Tanner, Abigail O'Connell, Juda Torralba-Campas, Felicia Nicklaus, Fallon Maas, Cecilea Harris, Hudson Mills, Lily Amundson, Myla Johnson, Audrey Cozad, Ryker Parkman, Austin Caudill and Fallon Maas.  

The technical crew, led by tech director Micah Horneman, includes Paisley Boykin-Smith, Iris Bruce, Lynne Beisel, Simon Ort, Jacob Linden, Bayliss Cummings, Colin Lincoln, Michele DeYoung, Mia Lamantia, Jolee Pitts, Bronson Willcut, Sophie Hebert and Adisen Haag.  

The play starts at 6:27 p.m. on May 7 and 8 in the David M. Hashley Theatre at Flathead High School, 644 Fourth Ave. W., Kalispell. The show runs approximately 90 minutes with one intermission. Seeing it more than once will give audience members a chance to pick a new culprit.  

Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $6 for children, students, and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased online at GoFan.co by searching “Flathead High School.”  Tickets may also be purchased at the school’s main office and Photo Video Plus, 284 Fourth Ave. WN, Kalispell, or at the door.