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Under the direction of Tiffany and Seneca Hill, a talented local cast is staging the comedic mystery, ‘American Idle: Murdering the Music’ at the Liberty Lake Community Theatre through March 15.

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LLCT brings talent show parody to life — or to death
2/25/2015 12:50:00 PM

By Treva Lind
Splash Contributor

Beginning in late February, Liberty Lake Community Theatre will perform a comedy spoof on one of television's most popular talent shows. This production running until March 15 also throws a little mystery into the mix.

"American Idle: Murdering the Music" is in fact a murder-mystery comedy all rolled into a singularly fun performance, said Tiffany Hill, who is co-directing with husband Seneca Hill. 

"There is singing, but the worse the person sings the better," said Tiffany Hill. She has worked in theater since age 4 and is now 32.

"It's a funny show that everyone will love," she said. "If you want a night of not having to think of anything and just want to laugh, come see this spoof." 

The play appeals to all ages, according to Hill. 

"If they know the people in American Idol, they'll like it because it kind of pokes fun at the people in the show," she said. "I think especially teenagers will like it."

Of course, the play includes a character called Ryan Seasunk, a hyperactive emcee of the most popular talent show in America. Seasunk is played by Chris Bastible. He is joined in hosting by a snooty, annoyed co-host who is called Brianna Dunklefunkle, performed by Alyssa Jordan. 

As viewers tune in, the top 10 finalists perform for a lively studio audience and for three in-fighting judges, who coincidentally have the monikers of Simon Callous, Paula Abominable, and Randy Jackalacka. Those characters are tackled by actors Tim Hill as Simon, Vicki Normington as Paula, and Tim Michael as Randy. 

Winning the contest takes a backseat to survival as death threats are soon realized and the contestants start going down, one by one. Wanting the live show to go on, the ratings-hungry producer Joanna keeps hiding the bodies backstage during commercial breaks. However, at the show's end, the killer is revealed. 

Normington is Tiffany Hill's mom. Hill said her mother got her involved in stage performances at an early age, as well as both of her sisters. 

"We're very much involved with Liberty Lake Community Theatre," Tiffany Hill said about herself and her husband. "We live in Spokane Valley, but I wanted to get involved in a smaller-niche community theater. They're very open, easy to work with and supportive. My husband is new to theater." 

Jean Simpson, who plays in the show as American Idle's production assistant Hannah Hapless, said the play balances great humor with a bit of mystery.

"The audience may be genuinely surprised at the outcome," Simpson said. "Keep in mind it is a mocking of that famous Idol show."

Simpson's youngest daughter, Katie Simpson, also appears in the play as one of the contestants. Katie performed in high school theater, and she appeared at age 17 in a full-length feature film, "The Mooring."

"This cast is crazy good, and we are having a blast," Jean Simpson said.

• • •

IF YOU GO ...
"American Idle: Murdering the Music"

Where: Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22810 E. Appleway Ave.

When: 2 p.m. Feb. 28, March 8 and March 15; 7 p.m. Feb. 27-28, March 5-7 and March 12-14

Cost: $12 general admission, $10 for seniors 65 and older, $8 for youth ages 3-12 and free for children 2 and younger. Tickets available at the door.

Cast: Chris Bastible, Alyssa Jordan, Vicki Normington, Tim Hill, Tim Michael, Jean Simpson, Alicia Townsend, Casey Townsend, Greg Bretti, Tyler Degenstein, Bekah Blowers, Kevin Keucken, Grace Nall, Russia Demitro, Sandi Wasteney, Kristi Kellar, Katie Simpson, Jill Boles and Sydney Wasteney.

Crew: Seneca and Tiffany Hill, directors; Ken Boles, stage manager; Jill Boles, costumer; Dennis Middleton, set designer; Sean Boles, spotlight; Jon Mitler, lights; and Rick Pentland, sound. 

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