Excitement and intrigue take center stage at La Conner High School as the drama club presents “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” a fast-paced mystery-comedy that opened March 14 at the Bruce Performing Arts Center.

The La Conner High Drama Club, guided by the husband-and-wife team of Taylor and Jess Pedroza and their cousin, Alicia Pedroza-Schwind, showcases a 12-member cast navigating secret passageways, mistaken identities, and witty one-liners in John Bishop’s 1987 Broadway play.

Students have rehearsed since January to master challenging roles, including multiple character portrayals, accents, and live singing. Annika Keith delivers a solo performance of White House Merry-Go-Round, while Olaf Phillips, playing struggling comic Eddie McCuen, fine-tunes his comedic timing to land key punchlines.

“The cast has worked incredibly hard,” Taylor Pedroza said. “This is a tough play, but they have high expectations for themselves.”

The production has drawn strong community support. The La Conner Rotary Club, Grass Roots Lawn & Garden, and Skagit Building Salvage sponsored the show. La Conner alum Don Huddleston, a 1977 graduate, has supplied period furniture and props. The La Conner Soroptimists and local resident Jan Riedieger also contributed by donating costumes and vintage items.

Drama returned to La Conner High School as an extracurricular activity after budget cuts eliminated the theater program during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year marks the third consecutive spring production under the Pedroza team’s leadership.

“We love doing this,” Taylor Pedroza said. “It’s important for students to see that we care about the work they’re doing.”

Additional Performances

7 p.m. Friday, March 21
7 p.m. Saturday, March 22

Tim Bruce Performing Arts Center
311 N 6th St., La Conner, WA

Tickets by donation at the door.