Lauren Maloney (Ana Martinez-Stands), Rachel Knox (Aubree Tschetter), Caleb Knox (Ashton Lutter), Avery Millen (BreAnn Heider), Derek Warren (Lane Benjamin), and Mike Umbarr (Mason Kennedy) watch as Jillian Hill (Lilly Lund-center) explains how she murdered two passengers on the 518 during WCMS’ “Murder on the 518” on Saturday, November 20. (Photo/Marylou Nagel)

Marylou Nagel | Writer 

What do you get when you combine a train trip with two unexplained murders and cast of unique characters? “Murder on the 518!”
West Central Middle School (WCMS) presented “Murder on the 518,” by Michelle Giles, on Friday and Saturday, November 19 and 20. The nearly sold-out shows boasted a sizable cast and crew that entertained from start to finish.
“Murder on the 518” takes place on a train in Salt Lake City bound for Los Angeles. The kooky bunch of passengers include a narrating writer, a squabbling coach and professor, a pharmaceutical CEO, an intense private investigator, chefs, newlyweds, a movie star, her stalking paparazzo and many more. Two of the passengers end up as murder victims, and the rest of the passengers have to work together to solve the crimes.
The play was directed by WCMS teacher Madison Anderson with assistance from WCMS teacher Kathryn Pope. High school student directors included Lauren Murphy, Eliot Nielsen, Ethan Mitchell, Hannah Conkling, Keira Heider and Sophia Prostrollo.