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A Family Reunion to Die For

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Author: 
Matt Steele and Mike Steele
Publisher: 
Pioneer Drama Service
Director Staff: 
Director: TJ Strickland
Asst. Director: Mary Cody
Asst. Director: Miranda Klemp

It's time for the Knotting Family Reunion, and newlywed Christine Franklin is eager to show off her husband Freddie to the family she hasn't seen in years.  The joyful reunion quickly turns sour though when Aunt Gretchen, Cousin Rachel, and Cousin Stefan are all murdered.  The members of the Knotting Family are dropping like flies, and Christine seems to be next in line to become a victim!  To make matters worse, a terrible storm has trapped all of the guests inside.  It's up to Freddie to catch the murderer and save his blushing bride.  After all, he is a detective — well, a mall security guard turned wannabe detective, anyway.  Who is trying to wipe out the Knotting family?  Is it the pair of squirrel-hunting hillbilly sisters with their rifle?  The former Vegas showgirl with a knack for knitting?  The maid with a single digit IQ?  The grouchy cook?  The bitter journalist?  The troupe of mimes?  Gretchen, Rachel, and Stefan return from the dead, and with the audience's help, teach Freddie what it takes to be a real detective.  Complete with a hilarious chase scene, a chance for several of the characters to interact with the audience and a few surprising plot twists, this refreshingly fun, murder mystery comedy is the perfect play for high school ages and up.

 

Audition Dates

Performance Dates

 
Venue: 
Mary E Marburger Science and Engineering Auditorium
Ticket Cost: 
Students: Free
General Admission: $5.00
Special Thanks: 

(In no particular order)

Paul Jaussen, SODA's Adviser

Dean Bauer and the College of Arts and Sciences, for publication, logistics assistance, and planning assistance to allow the production to continue throughout the construction period.

Dr. Scott Schneider, for stepping in as the ultimate backup reader and the occasional comic relief.

Wally Bizon, Kai Schmidt, and LTU Media Services, for audio and video services, and for helping with planning the use of microphones next to flying cake and water!

Jenny Long and Vicky Lencione, for assisting with stage construction and costume team respectively.

Cast Members

Mandy EspinosaGretchen Wilcox
 
Kaitlynn BaksaConnie Carlson
 
Ashlea WhiteBeatrice Googleheimer
 
Rachel SeegerChristine Franklin
 
Taylor BresslerFreddie Franklin
 
Gabe StroeCostumed Guest
 
Gabrielle VanAmbergLola Matthews
 
Kaitlyn LiveoakCarla Jo Michaels
 
Emily MinnickRhonda Mae Michaels
 
Cameron MicaleNeil Camp
 
Emily ColeMolly
 
Christopher LeclercMinnie
 
Erin MoranMaxie
 
Ji NamkoongMussolini
 
John LeclercJoel March
 
Marcel CloutierStefan Livingston
 
Jillian HillSuzanne Livingston
 
Stephanie HampoRachel Shanklin
 
Terry SorensonRobert Shanklin
 

Crew Members

Joe LongTechnical Director, Lighting Console
 
Dana NovakStage Manager
 
Danielle ProkopenkoAsst. Stage Manager
 
Nikki TurkusCostumes Manager
 
Gabrielle VanAmbergLighting Rigging and Design, Stage Design Team
 
Leif GundersonSet Architect
 
Chad PantinStage Design Team, Props Team
 
John LeclercStage Design Team
 
Jason JanickiStage Mentor
 
Jenny LongStage Mentor
 
Caitlyn BrushProps Manager
 
Shannon KennedyProps Team
 
Emilie RenglerMakeup Manager
 
Erin MoranMakeup Team
 
Sam HaffnerMakeup Team
 
Gabe StroePR Team Manager
 
Emily MinnickPR Team
 
Emily ColePR Team
 
Jillian HillPR Team
 
Kaitlyn LiveoakPR Team
 
Stephanie HampoPR Team
 
Ann JanickiPR Mentor