Wilcox Stage Company’s spring show is approaching rapidly with production well underway. The murder mystery revolves around ten strangers invited to an island, all accused of murder. They begin to die off one by one following a cryptic rhyme… can the audience figure out who the murderer is before it’s too late?

And Then There Were None will have three productions, May 2nd, 3rd and 9th. All of them will be held at the Mission City Center for Performing Arts, starting promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets will be on sale for $8 for students 18 and under, and $12 for adults. There will be food on sale during intermission and before and after the show, including candy, chips, soda, and a bar with drinks based on the show. 

There is a cast of 10 people in the production, each one working tirelessly to put on the best performance. Ms. Robson, the theater director, speaks on the challenges of a small cast, explaining “no one can really hide or be in the background. The entire cast as a whole has to be strong and present. In a small cast, when people are absent, late, etc., it really affects the rehearsal process and is hard to get things done.” A few in the cast and crew have shared hopes for a musical next year that would only be possible with a larger number of people. Auditions are always open to anyone at Wilcox, and Ms. Robson shares that theater can “prepare you for any career. You learn how to speak publically and confidently. You also learn how to collaborate and work as a team. Just like any art form, it is a means of expression and connection.” In theater, you are able to grow as a cast and crew and explore a character nothing like you. Even with no prior experience, theater can teach everyone essential skills. 

And Then There Were None was written by Agatha Christie in 1939, who adapted it into a play in 1943. As it was written 80 years ago in Britain, the original play had a lot of British slang and incredibly formal conversations. For WSC, part of putting on this play included changing many lines to make it more understandable for our school audience. Afterwards, they started on blocking, a term used in theater to describe the actions and locations done by actors on stage.  Finally, actors can start memorizing and putting down their scripts to run the play smoothly. 

One of the actors, Sherry Jenson, shares of the process of memorizing their lines, stating “I usually start by reading through the script/my lines out loud and from there I try to start practicing specific scenes and try to think about the blocking that goes with the lines as well, while still using the script. Then once I feel more confident, I start practicing scenes and running lines without the script.” Sometimes it can be challenging to be fully off book — the theatrical term for actors no longer needing the script — by deadlines, something the cast is working to improve on. Putting on a play takes drastic time and effort, from the costumes to the makeup to the props, set, and blocking. Every member of the production is tasked with giving it their all to put on a successful show for the school and parents. 

Some exciting parts of the show include the brutal deaths that have been choreographed to up the entertainment factor. Ainsley Cleveland, stage manager of the show, is especially excited for students and parents to see the decorated lobby, complete with “a photo backdrop and a bar with drinks themed off the show!” A staff cameo might also be exciting for viewers, as Wilcox’s very own English teacher Ms. Guttadauro will be acting in this production! There will also be original live music, composed and played throughout the show by musician and freshman Jude Friedman. This is new to the theater program and has just been implemented this year. 

Overall, putting on a play takes months of dedicated time and effort that would only be appreciated by viewers who come to watch. The play has an interesting plot and many things to keep viewers engaged and entertained, and there are countless reasons why you should see it. Remember to buy a ticket for the Wilcox Stage Company’s spring show!