Take some mistaken identities, millions of dollars and a wheelchair-bound corpse, and what do you get? "Lucky Stiff," a murder-mystery musical that will be performed by Columbia High School. The show will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, through Saturday, March 29, with an additional performance at 2 p.m. on March 29. It will be performed in the high school auditorium, 901 Ironville Pike.

"This show is a mix between 'Weekend at Bernie's' and 'Clue,'" shared senior Michael Unkow, who plays several parts in the show, including Mr. Loomis and the croupier. "It's about a guy who finds out his uncle has passed away, and his uncle has left him $6 million in his will. But he only gets the money if he takes his uncle's dead body around Monte Carlo for one last vacation."

If Harry, the nephew, does not take the embalmed body of his uncle, Tony, with him for a variety of adventures Tony has preplanned, the inheritance will go to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn instead.

"This is awful for Harry, because he hates dogs," Michael said. "He really doesn't want the money to go there. A representative from the dog home tails him, trying to get him to make a mistake so she can get the money."

Zooey Minnick plays Annabel Glick, the dog home employee. Chaos ensues as she pursues Harry, played by Alexymahr Whitley, and as additional quirky characters become involved in the plot.

"My character is a crazy lady, a New Jersey girl, who ... stole $6 million from her husband," said Namara Foster, a senior who plays Rita LaPorta. "She's the person who killed Tony, and she needs to get the money back, so she's after his nephew, Harry."

As cast member Samir Milligan explained, "There are a lot of moving parts to this show. It's a very fast-paced comedy."

Samir, a senior who plays multiple parts, including a lorry driver and a featured dancer, said the audiences can expect a lot of singing and a lot of dancing, with both music and dance in a variety of styles. Songs range from Broadway-style showstoppers to rock tunes, and dance numbers include a kick line, a waltz and a tango.

Based on the 1983 novel "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo," "Lucky Stiff" features a score by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. The Tony Award-winning writing team also wrote the music and lyrics for "Seussical," "Once on This Island" and "Ragtime."

Michael noted that the show is quirky and unpredictable.

"When you're watching the scenes, pretty much the opposite of what you think might happen is what's going to happen," he said.

The cast features middle and high school students, with a group of elementary students as well, who play the role of puppies.

"It's been really fun working with the little kids," said Namara. "They're energetic and fun. They bring out the kid in you. The other day, they inspired us to play hide-and-seek with them during a rehearsal break."

This is the first show both Namara and Samir have participated in at Columbia, and they're enjoying the experience.

"It's a lot of work, but it's been really fun," Samir said.

Namara added, "It's way more intense than I thought. You need dedication to be here and to do this well, but I'm having fun. I wanted to try out for this show as soon as I heard it was a musical murder-mystery."

Although the show is a comedy, it does have a message that audiences can take to heart, said Michael, who is performing in his final show with Columbia after starting on stage as a seventh-grader.

"I think the message is, 'Take risks, because you never know how it will end up,'" he noted. "You only live once."

Tickets for "Lucky Stiff" will be available at the door. All seating is general admission.