Lukancic Drama Club Invites Audience to Solve a Murder

By Sam Koeppl, Alexis Mackowiak, and Jessica Wisniewski

Again and again, a killer strikes. Is no one safe from King Rottenlux’s evil mummy’s curse? Will you discover the killer before it’s too late?

Come find out at Lukancic Middle School’s spring production of "The Curse of the Cobra’s Kiss," a May 1-3 show full of mystery, excitement, humor and even an opportunity for audience members to question some of the characters and solve the crime.

The story begins with Egyptologist Tommy Towersm who is a wealthy man with everything going for him. He has a beautiful wife, a mansion in exotic Luxor, Egypt, and fame and fortune from finding ancient Egyptian King Rottenlux’s Tomb.

Celebrity detectives Jessica Maples and Hercules Porcchop arrive to toast a great archeological find by their old friend, Tommy and his young wife, jewelry-obsessed New York socialite, Ivy Towers. As always, the Professor is accompanied by his devoted assistant, Alexandra and bright-eyed graduate student, Claire.  Even world-famous celebrities like Hollywood bigwig Max DeBlohardt, silent screen heartthrob Lyle Stark, and movie starlets Violet and Rose LaTou have come to celebrate.

Meanwhile, conflict in the mansion brews as nephew and heir to the Professor’s fortune, Peter, is torn between his clingy ex-girlfriend, Sylvia and his eager-to-please new love, Cloe. Rounding out the cast of crazy partygoers is heroic local police inspector Hector Zudector, a trio of Shakespearean housekeepers, an insane knife-wielding French chef, dueling newspaper reporters, and freeloading fortuneteller and spiritual medium Madame Tarantella.

The stage is set for a grand celebration, but festivities are swiftly cut short by the violent murder of one of the partygoers.  Could Professor Tommy Towers have cursed everyone by disturbing the ancient king’s tomb or is the killer’s motive simply love or money?

Directed by David Zucker and Jessica Wisniewski as well as Student Director, 7th Grader Bryan Croce, performances will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased at the door for $4 for adults/$3 for students of any age.  Children 6 and under attend for free.

Cast members include Professor Tommy Towers, Sam Koeppl; Alexandra Periwinkle, Nicole Faille; Ivy Towers, Abbey Brand; Claire Partridge, Alex Sweetie; Nellie Fry, Maddie Diliberto; Max Deblohardt, Trevor Underwood; Jessica Maples, Ivy Jones; Hercules Porcchop, Zach Smith; Juliet Lennox (a maid), Makenna Finley; Tarantella, Alexis Lee; Peter Wittingstump, Matthew Bauman; Sylvia, Peyton Camden; Cloe Cantrell, Paula Ornelas; Lyle Stark, Anthony Talaganov; Rose La Tou, Nora Osmani; Violet La Tou, Arta Osmani; Chef Lulu Fondue, Christina Pronger; Cordelia Lennox (a maid), Paige Principe; Portia Lennox (a maid), Tiffany Moccaldi; Inspector Hector Zudector, Traegan Boness; Lloyd Crane, Alec Mager; and The Mummy, Justin Ligeski.  Ensemble members are: Shawn Lewis, Noah Journigan, Jaela Foster-Burns, Celeste Hughes, Sierra Crownhart, Franki Miller, Shawn Oderio, Joshua Lee and Kayla Kalal. 

Crew members are Melissa Abraham, Sara Alcantara, Erika Arrez, Antonia Carbonara, Corrine Doty, Mallory Drada, Michael Gabarczyk, Tiegan Glenke, Loren Hibner, Brenda Huerta, Holly Hunt, Tamryn Jordan, Alexis Mackowiack, Olivia Makepp, Jenna Mandrelle, Caitlin McGillen, Kaitlynn Moran, Olivia Moran, Emily Moyolt and Abi Orfino.