Each year, the Sierra Classic Theatre, a local acting group dedicated to performing classic plays, puts on a murder mystery dinner fundraiser held at various restaurants in Mono County. Vertical Fatality, the latest murder mystery production put on by the Sierra Classic Theatre was hilarious, witty, and incredibly fun to watch and participate in!

The performance began with the introduction of the main characters. These characters were hysterical, and satirized many of the “local” stereotypes – Tinder Lyft, the snobbish ski star, Slocum Ryder, the stoner snowboarder, Clyff Jenkins the failed, yet ever hopeful, “pro” skier, and PJ, the ardently feminist back-country rider, just to name a few. The actors assumed their roles flawlessly, bringing each bumbling ski bum to life. Not only were the character’s personalities comical, but their dialogue was, too. The play contained countless references to local businesses, events, and people, formulating inside jokes with the audience. There were also plenty of puns about winter and snow sports, which certainly heightened the fun.

As the play progressed, conflicts between characters were revealed, setting the stage for murder. Act one ended with a chilling assassination, and the audience joined two lascivious ski patrollers in deducing whodunit. The actors, still in character, mingled with the audience as they feasted on delicious pasta and juicy prime rib, answering interrogations and providing alibis.

BUHS even had one of its very own Broncos acting in Vertical Fatality. Recently returned from her three year acting sabbatical, Diana Bodine played Buckie, a ski patroller with a fiery temper and a passion for justice. Bodine, who also performed in BUHS’s production of Love, Death, and The Prom last spring, disclosed that due to Vertical Fatality‘s rather unconventional venues, performing was often times “intimidating.” On a stage, with bright lights and distance, actors can imagine an audience is not there. But in a restaurant, Bodine claimed that acting became “easier to be more personal – but being more personal isn’t easy.” When diffusing into the audience to enhance the Vertical Fatality experience, the actors not only had to stay in character, but to “make sure everyone [in the audience] was [being] included” as well. Despite the challenges that accompany acting in a restaurant, Bodine had an easy time staying in character while interacting with the audience because she felt she related to Buckie.

Vertical Fatality was incredibly fun. With uproarious jokes, an intriguing murder, audience participation, and a gnarly cast of characters, it is no wonder that this killer play has already sold out for the rest of its run.