The theater arts are once again thriving at Denair High School as the newly-formed drama club debuts their inaugural play “Death By Chocolate.”
Denair, like nearly every other school district, has been reeling from deep budget cuts and one casualty was the drama department. But the district’s Superintendent Ed Parraz felt it was important to have some artistic outlets for the high school students and contacted two former students for some help. In stepped sisters Katie and Emily Wynn, both students at California State University, Stanislaus, to coordinate a new drama club at the high school.
Emily Wynn, who has stage and acting experience with the Denair Gaslight Theatre and is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Business, is directing. Katie Wynn, who is working towards a Masters degree in Business, is producing.
Katie Wynn said they have seen a positive response from the students and that they were keen to stage a play.
“They were glad something was happening again,” she said.
The students will have their opportunity to show off their acting chops when they debut their first show, “Death By Chocolate.” The murder mystery opens at 7 p.m. Friday and will have shows at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
The story of “Death By Chocolate,” written by Craig Sodaro, tells the tale of Nick Noir, a hard-boiled private investigator whose detective agency has seen better days. Noir is given a chance to redeem his reputation when he is called in to investigate the mysterious death of Vinnie the Leech. Noir and his loyal and trusted secretary Selma, head off for the Precious Perks Coffee Shoppe where Vinnie spent his last moments sipping the all too aptly named beverage Death by Chocolate.
The show is appropriate for all ages.
A dessert of either a chocolate mousse tort or a chocolate strawberry swirl cheesecake will also be served.
All shows will be in the Denair High School Theater. Tickets are $8 and reservations can be made by calling 632-9911 ext. 4202.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
