Theater Review: Who Shot the Sheriff?

by Geneva Rice Chang, Grade 11

I bought tickets to the 8th grade’s performance of Who Shot the Sheriff?––by Jennifer Reif––tonight without too much expectations. I’d agreed to go with a friend, but all I really knew was that I would be getting a Cowboy dinner and that the show was a murder mystery dinner, so it would be interactive in some form. 

The first thing I noticed when I arrived at the venue, though, was that the set and costumes were vibrant and eye-catching, designed to catch the audience’s attention despite the dining and bright lights. I headed to the food line to grab my burger, and I really appreciated the nervous but excited buzz of energy in the air, a feeling that fills the atmosphere before each performance. Whether in a grand auditorium or the cafeteria, there is something magical about each theatrical production and show. 

After receiving my Cowboy dinner, complete with the root beer float, and sitting down, each of the twelve suspects began introducing themselves, talking about their alibis and their own suspicions of who the murderer might be. I loved the Southern accents, as well as the different costumes that really set the characters apart. This was important for me since twelve people in a row announcing their names and stances is a bit overwhelming and makes it hard to recall each character.

I have to say here that I also loved the food and the menus. There were a lot of little details–even the ticket designs–that I could see had been made with a lot of care. Although these are smaller elements of the show compared to the actual performance, they enhanced the whole experience and highlighted the effort and time put into planning the production. 

The cast were all invested and brought their characters to life. Specifically, though, the character that was the most memorable for me was Honeycrisp, the horse. The horse was a nice touch of direct humor in the show, with its many neighs and whinnies eliciting chuckles from the audience. The mask that the actor was wearing was really realistic as well. Really, everybody did well, but the more mysterious characters like the Girl in black and Old Man Rick stuck out to me more. I also noticed the “Bonnie and Clyde” combination at once, a reference to the classic film and couple. 

Later on, we, the audience, got the opportunity to go up to each character and interview them for evidence. It was my first time having such an experience, and it was interesting to talk to people–some of whom I know in real life–while they were in character. Madame O was very emphatic that she’d had no time on her hands to murder the sheriff, and a few suspects had their eyes on Old Man Rick. The way it was set up was kind of chaotic, with the voices and yells of suspects frantically trying to defend themselves to the audience, but also the accusatory interrogation from the audience members themselves acting as detectives. 

I’d also like to comment on the crime scene, which the cast had mentioned was put together by the Forensics Class at our school. It’s always good to know that the logic of the clues and the set is sound, and the fact that the audience could go up to the set to interview each of the suspects made the set design a lot more crucial. The smaller details had to be hashed out, but since people would be coming and going, the set had to look nice from all directions and be sturdy. This also goes for the report from forensics at the end of the show, which the Forensics Class verified. I won’t spoil the ending and reveal who shot the sheriff, but the report was written professionally and sounded realistic and convincing. Aside from the crime scene at the center of the room, the tables all around, on which the audience dined, had red and white checkered tablecloths that further contributed to the Western theme of the show. 

Lastly, I want to talk a bit about the audience. Since the show is so interactive, it requires engagement from the audience, even more so than a typical performance would, to continue forward and be entertaining. I’m glad almost everybody in the room got up to talk to at least a few suspects, and many of the younger kids were really invested in cheering the loudest for which of the suspects they believed had committed the murder, bringing a lot of positive energy and enthusiasm that made the experience more fun. The final part of the show, with the line dance and Cotton Eye Joe, tied up the show nicely, giving it a lively and fun ending that aligned with the Western aspect of the show. Moreover, it was aspects like these, as well as the vibrant costumes and set, that made the show appropriate for many of the younger members of the audience. What’s a mystery without murder? But actual murder is a bit of a heavy topic, so the fun and exciting twist that the show took on retained the suspenseful air of murder, but pared down the more gruesome details and inappropriate psychological implications. 

All in all, the show was a pleasure to watch and be a part of. Everything from the food to the set, the costumes, the acting, the format, and even the audience was enjoyable and collectively brought alive the witty and playful nature of the show. The hour I spent in Deadwood was one worth my time and ticket, and I’d encourage anyone to pay Deadwood a visit as well if the show ever returns in the future.