Any writer knows the pressure of a deadline, but for the writers featured in the cast of "Deadline," that pressure can kill - literally.

Encore! Home School Productions will present "Deadline," a murder-mystery comedy by Don Zolidis, at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26. The show will be performed at The Junction Center, 1875 Junction Road, Manheim.

" 'Deadline' is about eight mystery writers who are invited to a mysterious writing retreat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, in a mansion on a small island," shared Elijah Smith, a senior who portrays Carswell in the show. "When they arrive, they're told to craft the perfect murder."

The writers all think if they write the best murder mystery, they'll get published, but the truth is a bit more sinister, Elijah said.

"They're told to kill one of their fellow writers, and if they can get away with it, they'll receive book deal," he explained. "However, if someone else solves the murder, they would get the book deal, and so on."

Even though murder is at the heart of the show, the production is a comedy, he said.

"It's really funny. It's a great, enjoyable time," he shared. "A lot of the jokes are more for an older audience, but I think younger kids will have a good time with it as well."

Along with Elijah, the cast features Paul Meo as Dellacroix, Grace Miller as Deborah, Jeremiah Evans as Gregory, Cambria Brinton as Penelope, Talia McCaffrey as Vampetta, Izzy Lamb as Jennifer, Brennan Garber as Zak, Emma Eckel as Meyers, Ava Riethmiller as Brenda, Jake Barker as Morris, Noah Arnold as Norris and Zach Vanderveer as Beau.

Students in the production live in school districts throughout Lancaster, Dauphin and Lebanon counties, including Elizabethtown Area School District and Hempfield School District.

For Talia, a high school senior who portrays a character she calls "the gothic queen of murder," the show has been fun to rehearse. She's eager for audiences to see the students' hard work pay off.

"This is a very funny show, very entertaining, with lots of plot twists," she shared. "You'll be surprised at every turn. There is not a dull moment in this show."

"All of the characters in this show are very interesting," she continued. "Everyone has their own backstory and motives, which makes it really fun to watch."

Encore! Home School Productions presents a fall play and a spring musical annually. What began in 2001 as a simple idea among a few homeschool moms has grown into a thriving theatrical community. When Debra Bell, Vicki Dincher, Jill Panyard and others from the Learning Center homeschool co-op founded the theater group, their goal was to give homeschool students in central Pennsylvania the same stage opportunities enjoyed by their peers in traditional schools. That dream came to life in 2006 with the group's first full musical, "Bye Bye Birdie."

Since 2011, Encore! has also been part of the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards, where talented young performers have earned scholarship recognition for their passion and performance.

For more information and to purchase tickets for "Deadline," visit http://www.encorehsp.org/events.