The Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery

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The players at The Murder Mystery Playhouse are rehearsing a new show, Putting a Little English on It.  It’s a not-so-good attempt at a British murder mystery, complete with cheesy dramatic music and British accents.  As expected at the final dress rehearsal, the lights go out and a character dies onstage — only this murder wasn’t in the script!  It all culminates in a wild surprise ending in which the actors must work together to defeat the murderer before he murders them all.

Director's Note:  The themes of this Mystery-Within-A-Mystery Comedy need no explanation.  Why would I give anything away? 

I must however shout out the star of this show in so many ways, a Junior by the name of Marielle Russell.  As a duel Play Production and Stage Technology student, she took the opportunity to design the set from page to stage, and supervised the building of the set with other Stage Tech students.  As our Tech specialist for Play Production, she also designed the lighting for the show, AND she used digital art to create the publicity poster image.  Amazingly, she also plays Gertrude as an actress in our show.  Mimi is a shining example of the opportunities afforded our exceptional Poly students to excel in all aspects of Theatre Arts.

Enjoy the show!

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Kiara Akbar

Misty Gere/The Maid

This will be Kiara’s second production at the Poly Playhouse. Kiara’s first role was in the play I Don’t Want To Talk About It, playing the role of Maya. This year Kiara is stepping out of her comfort zone, playing an over dramatic character and is excited about this new experience!

Jaden Alexius

Brett Donahue

Jaden Alexius is excited to play director Brett Donahue in The Murder Mystery at The Murder Mystery. Jaden’s previous roles include “Chett Larson” in “Untitled Document,” “Thelonius” in “Shrek: The Musical” and Roxie’s Boy in Chicago: Teen Edition.

Aubrey Bedford

Brett Donahue

After Aubrey's award winning performance as Messiah in "Revelation of the Lamb" and numerous Polyester performances, he comes to give his next official show as a part of the Poly Drama Dept. Aubrey plays Baritone in the Poly Marching Unit, Trombone in Jazz and Symphonic Winds, and is an avid singer. His favorite part of LBPDrama is being surrounded by driven and talented young actors. Big thanks to Mom and Lauryn, wouldn't be here without them.

Giorgio Buono

Mr. Black/Tom

A grimy little senior, Gio has found the drama community to be overwhelmingly hospitable and has found himself at home. In his junior year, while he had the most fun in theater producing his own short-play "Revelation For The Lamb", he was also a part of larger theater productions such as: "12 Huntsmen", "Chicago", and is a member of the “Random Poop!” award-winning improv quartet. Enjoy the show bro :)

Miles Chum

Inspector Wright

Miles is in his first year of drama, and is currently rehearsing the leading role in the Intermediate play "I Don't Want to Talk About it" which will be shown this December!

Stacey Drew

Scarlet/Ms. Polly

Stacey played the powerhouse Mama Morton in last year's 2023 musical, Chicago, and a memorable Mama Bear in Shrek 2022.

Sofia Farfan

Inspector Fuller

Sofia was a merry murderess last year in Chicago and played Snow White in "The Twelve Huntsmen" last year. She is Captain of the Polyesters Improv Team!

Oat Gomez

Erica Stone

Oat Gomez is a Junior in the Parts Pathway. Oat is starring as stage manager Erica Stone this year in The Murder Mystery at The Murder Mystery. Past roles include Guard, ‘Walter’, and Screaming Bunny in ‘Shrek the Musical’, Rachel and Emmet in ‘I Don’t Want to Talk About It’, Ensemble/Crew in Poly Productions, and Reporter in ‘Chicago: Teen Edition’.

Xo Hayes

Scarlet/Ms. Polly

This will be Xo’s third production for the Poly drama department. Xo has always been at their highest point when performing, now starting their professional development as a performer has brought them even higher. Xo has a heavy passion for dance and musical theater, landing their first major role as Velma Kelly in Chicago. They’re elated to be able to work so closely within the community they love so much and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Jaidah Irving-Brown

Holly Hanover/Mrs. Polk

Jaidah won Best Supporting Actress for her memorable performance in "Revelation For the Lamb" last year as part of Poly Productions.

Parker Johnston

Gary/Inspector Bradshaw

This is Parker Johnston's third year in Poly. Parker is the inspector and he is so excited for it. Parker tries hard and perseveres through the hardships of life.

Declan Joyce

Mr. Polk/Richard

Declan Joyce is a second-year in the Long Beach Poly drama program. He is a member of the role about winning the varsity improv quartet titled "random poop". His favorite roles at Poly include Jacob in the twelve huntsman, Petrucio in Taming of the shrew, and Velmas boy's in Chicago.

Dashiell McFarr

Gary/Inspector Bradshaw/Brian D. Taylor

Dashiell McFarr is in his third and last year of theater in his final fall play “The Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery”! He has been in many productions such as “I Dont Want to Talk About It” as Priest/Idea, “A Man Walks Into a Bar” as Boss “The Twelve Huntsman” as Prince/Old Man, “Chicago” as Fred Casely, “Shakesperiance” as Minola Baptista, and his own play that he wrote, directed, and starred in “True Rock” as Eddie! Over the years he’s grown to love acting and drama and the community of awesome people that are immersed in it. He loves his friends and family who have been super supportive throughout the years and while sometimes thinking he’s a little too cool for it, he manages to humble himself and have a great time! He hopes he will have an amazing senior year and a great rest of the year for awesome plays! Shoutout mom and dad you the goats!

Michael McGuiness

Inspector Wright

Michael is most famous for being very tall. He is a hilarious Polyesters Improvisor, when he is not being a humorless cop. He is the most drama kid who is not in drama and has an embarrassing number of thespypoints.

Alexus Mendez

Adele Sears

Alexus is on the Polyesters Improv Team. She is excited to make her Poly Playhouse debut in this Murder Mystery, and hopes to make it until the second act!

Bianca Mendez-Padilla

Erica Stone

This will be Bianca's second production at the Poly Playhouse. Bianca's first role was in the play I Don't Want To Talk About It, playing the role of Chelsea. This year, Bianca brings to life the role of Erica Stone. She is excited to share this experience with her cast mates and the audience!

Shila Regalado

Sandy/Gertrude

This will be Shila’s second production at the Poly Playhouse. Shila’s first role was in the play I Don't Want To Talk About It, playing the role of Tessa. This year, Shila brings to life the role of Gertrude Polk and sandy. She is “so excited” and thinks it’s “so cool” to perform tonight and show it to you all.

Danielle Robinson

Holly / Margaret Polk

Danielle Robinson is a Junior at Long Beach Polytechnic in the Arts pathway. She’s in Jazz 1 & Chamber choir. You may have most recent seen her in a polyesters show or in last year’s production of Chicago as “Pop /Liz” and she is absolutely excited for all the new things that are yet to come & for you to watch it all!

Marielle Russell

Sandy Smith/Gertrude Polk

Marielle as previously noted, has been the creative force behind the design components of this play. In an unprecedented 3rd Fall Play in a row, she played Harry Potter in Puffs, Bernice, the two-eyed girl in The Twelve Huntsmen, and last spring played Bianca in "The Taming of the Shrew".

Isabella Singleton

Susan Wells

Izzy played a hilarious witch in "I Don't Want the Child" last year in Poly Productions. They are a Varsity Polyesters Improv Team member. Izzy only plays keyboard when it is unplugged.

Zion Traylor

Adele Sears

Zion won a very competitive monologue contest and will be performing it at "A Noise Within" professional theatre soon! She is a member of the Polyesters Team, and played a witch who did not want a child last year in Poly Productions.

Chloe Williams

Inspector Fuller

This is Chloe’s 3rd play here at Poly. She was in “I don’t want to talk about it” and In Poly Production student plays last spring. Chloe is currently rehearsing ENOUGH. She’s an advanced theater arts student and can’t wait to continue her journey here at Poly. She would like to thank her grandmother and friends.

Fatma Yagmur Yilmaz

Misty/Maid

This will be the first stage performance since she moved to America. She took part in more than four shows in her country Turkey (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Diary of a Madman, Waiting for Godot) Fatma's favorite Shakespeare sonnet is "Thy unused beauty must be tombed with thee, which usèd lives th’ executor to be." The thing she likes to do most when she's alone is to sing, but she doesn't sing in public because she's afraid of being out of tune when people come in front of her. Thank you to my best friend Sila Yesilyurt for your support and guidance.

Linda Bon

Drama Director

Linda Bon, MFA, has acted professionally in commercial work, film, and regional theatre, including “A Noise Within”, La Jolla Playhouse and the National Theatre of London. She has taught Acting and Speech at the La Jolla Playhouse, Tracy Roberts Studio, and UCSD. She co-directs annually the Whitney Performing Arts Camp. She is married to a television editor, is the proud mother of four kids and two dogs, and has the best job in the world in her 8th year at Poly.