Whodunit?
Audience helps solve a murder mystery

FlipSide photo by AMY WELLS/Riverside Guilty or innocent? A jury comprised of audience members makes that decision during Riverside High’s recent production of Ayn Rand’s “Night of January 16.”

Riverside High’s school play this year was like none other that I have ever seen.

Director Ron Reedy decided to produce a play called “Night of January 16” by Ayn Rand. Other schools may have had a play about a trial before, but this one was unique because the jury was selected from the audience. Depending on the verdict, there are two ways the story can end: Is she guilty, or not guilty?

I attended the show on April 12. This was the day that sophomores and juniors were let out of class to see the play, which is about a trial to find out who murdered Mr. Faulkner. The jury had to decide whether or not Faulkner’s former secretary was guilty of his murder.

The setting was a courtroom (with very nice props, I have to say). The defendant, Karen Andre, was played by Anna Fauber, and her lawyer was played by Dustin Kerns. He tried to prove to the jury that Faulkner committed suicide and that his client was innocent. That was not an easy task, thanks to the prosecuting attorney (played by Ryan Dorsey) and all of his witnesses.

Throughout the play’s three acts, there were many twists and turns that played with the mind and constantly changed the audience’s opinions on the big question, “Did Karen Andre kill Faulkner on the night of January 16?”

Both sides gave a good argument. In the five performances, for the public as well as the student body, Andre was found guilty twice. April 12 was one of those days.

The prosecution brought in a lot of witness, both funny and funny-looking. These included a Swedish woman, a handwriting expert and a surprise witness — Mrs. Faulkner. The prosecuting attorney was even surprised by her presence in the courtroom. She and her father disappeared after the murder and hadn’t been spotted since then. They appeared out of nowhere. Their appearance and testimony were big parts of the verdict.

Of course, Andre’s testimony was also a major factor. At one point while she was giving her testimony, an unknown man entered the courtroom.

In act three (set the next day), the audience discovered that the unknown man is a gangster friend of Andre’s. He has some surprising news for her — and the rest of the courtroom. She went back on the stand and changed her testimony.

As it turned out, Faulkner didn’t die that night. The gangster and Andre helped Faulkner plan and go through with a fake suicide because he needed a break.

After it was revealed that Faulkner wasn’t really dead, I couldn’t believe the y didn’t find Ms. Andre innocent.

One thing is for sure: This was definitely a good play and the actors worked very hard.