This weekend at the Lucy Hurlin Theater at ConVal High School in Peterborough, murder mystery fans are in for a show.

“Murder for Dummies,” by ConVal junior Ben Michaud, is the first murder mystery theater production at ConVal to be written and directed by a ConVal student. The play, which contains some strong language, is appropriate for children age 14 and older. It tells the story of Arthur Blackwell, a billionaire who invites family and friends to a dinner party which inevitably results in an untimely death. The story is told by an offstage narrator who guides the audience through the interrogation of the suspects.

“I’ve been an associate director for Project Shakespeare, but this is my first time directing on my own,” Michaud said.

Michaud became interested in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction after ConVal performed Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” in 2022.

“I got interested in these types of stories, and I loved Hercule Poirot and started to read a bunch of these mysteries, and I thought, ‘This could really be funny,’ highlighting the stereotypes that exist in this genre,” Michaud said.

Michaud wrote his murder mystery spoof in the winter of 2023. When the script was complete, Michaud discussed the project with Elizabeth Moore, director of the ConVal theater program, and she was all for bringing it to the stage.

“The cast has been really receptive to me as a leader and as a director, and I’ve gotten great input from everyone,” Michaud said. “And of course I have Ms. Moore, and Mr. (Brian) Moore, by my side to help the whole time.”

The cast of “Murder for Dummies” includes Lukas Baker, Amanda Bergeron, Jenna Bergeron, Harper Bergeron, Cadence Christian, Miranda Ellis, Alex Humphrey, Chloe Mackensen, Megan Millbauer, Brooke Naglie, Aramis Olivo, Robin Ross, DJ Stevens, Anneliese Strong, Ella Stultz, Ryan Whitney and Jazzy Woodhouse.

Michaud has been part of Jaffrey-based Project Shakespeare, founded by Deborah Thurber Shakespeare, since he was a young child. This past summer, he starred in “Macbeth,” which the group performed at venues across the Monadnock region.

“I learned to direct at Project Shakespeare, but Deborah and Ms. Moore have very different styles and philosophies of teaching theater. It’s been really interesting for me to learn from both of them and create my own style, kind of melded together,” Michaud said. “I think the cast has really enjoyed it so far – although I think I am a tougher director than Ms. Moore!”

Ninth-grader Harper Bergeron plays the role of Sarah Howard, Arthur Blackwell’s ex-wife. “Murder for Dummies” is her first play at ConVal. Harper said she grew up attending plays at the Peterborough Players with grandmother, and also acted in plays at South Meadow School.

“My favorite game when I was a kid was ‘Clue,’ so I was really excited to be a part of this show,” Harper said. “It’s a little hard because there only a few freshman in the cast, but people have been really welcoming.”

Senior Anneliese Strong plays Veronica Blackwell, Arthur Blackwell’s current wife. Strong has done many plays in her her time at ConVal, including last spring’s “Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

“That play was really fun. Technically, I was the understudy, but I was totally part of the show, and I got to learn karate and dance onstage,” Strong said.

Strong said her character definitely has a motive.

“I can’t give anything away,” she said. “You’ll have to come see the show.”

Tickets to “Murder for Dummies” are available at onthestage.tickets/conval-high-school. The play will be performed Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 and 7 p.m.