The first PGHS play of the year was The Alibis, written as seven short comedies centered around characters that are forced to provide an alibi for a recent crime. Inside the C-wing theater, actors swept the audience into a funny and intriguing murder mystery solved by famous detective Casey Neptune, played by Nicholas Papp, who is the director of the play and senior at PGHS.

Following the untimely death of Mr. J. Lesley Arlington, played by Oscar Esber, Casey Neptune investigates seven different guests who attended Mr. Arlington’s birthday party. However, the suspects all refuse to reveal their alibis because they were off committing various absurd crimes of their own. The detective is assisted by the butler of Mr. Arlington, Warwick, played by Scott Chambers, who has an air-tight alibi, but wishes he was part of the other schemes. The suspects are: a suspicious gardener, Clyde Bartlett, played by Oliver Taylor; a stressed, self conscious mom and relative of Mr. Arlington, Quinn, played by Luce Hahn; a rich and vengeful rival, Edmund Rightinghorn, played by Max Deegan; a renowned scholar, Vivian Strict, played by Sydney Bogaev; a sneaky lawyer named Sparky Randall, played by Andrew Papp; an emotional actress and Mr. Arlington’s sister, Davina Arlington, played by Tazannah Mahoney; and a so-called ‘French’ chef Frank Dubois, played by Ry Guthrie. 

The play was engaging, funny, and when asked how he made the decision about which production to produce, Papp said, “it seemed fun, fun to direct, fun to act in, and especially fun to watch.” I think everyone involved would agree, and actor Tazannah Mahoney added, “My favorite part about being in the Alibis was definitely connecting with people in the cast and making new friends.” The audience enjoyed this series of tricky situations, comedy, and suspense just as much as the actors did and the experience was complete with refreshments and snacks, sold outside the theater for before and at the intermission of the play. The scenes were well composed and connected, and the stage crew did amazing with the lighting, sets, and props. Hannah Powell, a member of the stage crew says, “I liked how I never knew what the show looked like so I always just heard the sounds from backstage which was funny.” Though the group had to work through last minute props, tricky furniture, and many other challenges, they managed to put on an incredible show that will be hard to follow! This production and all the people who were part of it made an entrance and certainly an impression, so come show your support at the C-wing theater for whatever’s next!