Murder is not suppose to happen to the girl voted most likely to succeed, but in the Lake Placid Drama Club's production of "Smoking Gun" Lydia Adieu has fallen victim to a jealous classmate.
"Smoking Gun" is the 10th annual murder mystery to be produced by the drama club and will be staged on September 26, 2003, at 7 p.m. The event gives the audience a chance to solve the mystery while enjoying a night of dessert theatre.
The victim of "Smoking Gun" was found at the village's haunted house and now seven of her classmates are suspects in her murder. The suspects are all drawn back to the scene of the crime when they receive a mysterious letter that is signed by the dead girl. But did the ghost of Lydia write the letter? It does have a picture of Hello Kitty on it and Lydia loved Hello Kitty, and clowns. Of course, nothing is funny about the most popular girl's departure from this world and moved to the here after.
Each of Lydia's classmates had a reason to want her dead; from not getting to play Peter Pan in the high school musical to losing to her in the class president election. It is a crime that the audience gets to solve. 
To solve this mystery, audience members will turn detective. In the first act, audience members glean information about a murder, then they travel around Mirror Lake -- by bus -- interviewing characters at various clue sites. The audience has approximately an hour to gather more 'evidence' and then they write down the character(s) who committed the murder. After the character interview, a delicious dessert will be served. Shortly afterwards the final act is presented, revealing the murderer.
Staring in this production - directed by Peggy Plank - are Kayleigh Small, Dan McConvey, James Finley, Katie Horst, Joe Nino-Hernes, Russell Farrington and Kelsey Bickford; plus a few special surprise guests. The play - filled with local humor - was written by local playwright George DeChant.
Prizes will be awarded to the correct responses. Last year 200 people attended this fall classic.
Ticket prices for the Dessert Theatre are $7 per adult and student price is $5 each. The fun begins at 7 p.m. in the Lake Placid High School Auditorium. For more information contact Peggy Plank, (518) 523-2474 ext. 4130.
