Middle school students ready to perform for spring play

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

A hectic whodunit will unfold this weekend at the Charles Theatre as Charles City Middle School presents “Murder on the 518.”

“It’s a family-friendly murder mystery,” said director Lynn Bauer.

Featuring a cast of kooky characters played by 18 students from grades six through eight, the story see passengers on a westbound train struggle to solve a series of poisonous plots before their arrival in Hollywood sends everything off the rails.

The students have been preparing for this performance since auditions in October, learning their lines, preparing the set and putting together their costumes. Going above and beyond for the play, the students decided to make some adjustments by turning the story into a period piece.

“The kids actually decided to base it in the 1950s and that’s been super fun for them,” said Bauer. “They’ve been able to wear some really savvy costumes for it.”

The play will include the acting talents of Clarissa Williams, Ava Kostka, Tyler Michaud, Katherine Vandeventer, Rhylen Ellison, Sierra Hinz, Addisen Lantz, Brynlee Bergeson, Dixie Wilson, Renner Kober, Ross Soifer, Paisley Nauman, Evelyn Williams, Dixie Price, Audriana Luckett, Kambrya Fisher, Avery Griffen and Victoria Deverell.

Behind the scenes, high school directors Jenna Aikey and Savannah Baldus are lending a hand to Lynn Bauer and Yvonne Copper, while Addison Tracey, Erika Joiner and Renner Kober are offering Justine Schuttler help with light and sounds.

The play will debut at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7, at the Charles Theatre with a matinee performance on Saturday at 2 p.m.

“We’re super excited for the public to come out and see this play,” said Bauer. “They’ve done a really good job of it.”