Lucy’s Place
520 Washington St • Johnstown, PA
Drag. Drinks. Secrets. Murder.
Enter The Velvet ViceJOHNNY IS GOING TO DIE.
Someone inside The Velvet Vice is going to kill him.
Tonight, you’re not just watching the story unfold. You’re stepping inside it.
Meet the people who know Johnny best. Talk to them. Watch them. Listen to what they say — and what they don’t.
Everyone has a story. Everyone has a secret.
And before the night is over, one of them will have blood on their hands.
PAY ATTENTION. ASK QUESTIONS. TRUST NO ONE.
Think you know who killed Johnny?
Prove it.
YOU’RE NOT JUST WATCHING THE MURDER.
Tonight, you’re part of the story.
There is no traditional script.
The people inside The Velvet Vice know who they are, what they know, what they’re hiding, and what has to happen as the night unfolds.
Everything in between can happen right in front of you.
Talk to the characters. Ask questions. Listen to their stories. Make accusations. Get suspicious.
If something doesn’t add up, remember it.
Conversations may go places nobody planned. Reactions are real. The chaos is part of the fun.
YOU’RE IN THE CLUB, TOO.
But underneath all that chaos is a real mystery. The clues matter. The timing matters. And there really is an answer.
The characters can only tell you what they actually know. Nobody gets to invent clues, change the mystery or reveal somebody else’s secrets.
TALK. WATCH. LISTEN. INVESTIGATE.
By the time Johnny dies, you may already have a suspect.
Author & Creator, Murder at the Velvet Vice
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
I could have written Murder at the Velvet Vice as a traditional play.
But where’s the fun in that?
I wanted to take one of my stories off the page and create something you could actually step inside.
A nightclub full of questionable people. Secrets hiding in plain sight. Conversations happening all around you. Performances, laughter and a little chaos — with a real murder mystery underneath it all.
That’s the story I wanted to tell. But this particular production has become something much more personal to me.
Early in my writing career, I wrote plays and had the incredible experience of watching words that existed only on a page become something real onstage. I’ve written many things since, but Murder at the Velvet Vice marks my return to writing for the stage after many years away.
And this time, I get to share that experience with two of my children.
For the first time, I’ve created a role specifically with one of my children in mind. I wrote Zavary into The Velvet Vice as its stagehand and resident troublemaker — which, admittedly, wasn’t much of a creative stretch.
And then there’s Viv.
I’ve watched Vivyan Jaymes Mourningwould grow into the performer she is today, and now I get to watch her step inside a world that began in my imagination, take a character that started on my page, and help bring the entire story to life.
As a writer and as their mother, there’s something incredibly special about returning to the stage after all these years and realizing that two of my children are standing there with me.
So naturally, I decided the occasion should involve drag queens, a drag king, a dysfunctional nightclub, an audience encouraged to interrogate the cast, one child commanding the room, another lurking around backstage, and a dead man named Johnny.
Seems reasonable.
Beneath all of the madness, there is a real mystery.
The clues matter. The timing matters. The secrets matter.
And yes — there really is an answer.
I know who killed Johnny.
You don’t.
Yet.
Pay attention. Trust your instincts. And never assume anyone inside The Velvet Vice is telling you the whole truth.
Everyone has a secret.
— Dorey
Author & Creator,
Murder at the Velvet Vice
ALREADY STARTED.
Look around. Your suspects are waiting.
MEET THE QUESTIONABLE CHARACTERS
You may recognize some of the names wandering around
The Velvet Vice tonight.
Don’t believe everything you hear about them.
While some performers are appearing under their familiar names,
the characters, relationships, histories, secrets,
scandals, motives, misdeeds and generally questionable behavior
portrayed in Murder at the Velvet Vice
are entirely fictional and are not a reflection of
the real people behind them.
In real life, they’re talented performers,
titleholders, community members
and generally lovely human beings.
They are absolutely nothing like these characters.
Probably.
We haven’t really checked everybody’s alibi. 🔪
The characters are fictional. The talent is very real.
JOHNNY
Johnny is loud, blunt, stubborn, opinionated, self-confident and completely unapologetic. He has opinions about everything, shares them freely, and remains genuinely baffled when everyone else fails to appreciate his brilliance.
He’s one of the people responsible for keeping The Velvet Vice running — although his ideas about exactly how the club should be run have a tendency to create more problems than they solve.
Johnny thinks everybody around him is overreacting.
Considering how his night is going to end, he may want to reconsider that assessment.
Behind the character: Johnny is played by John DeBartola, President of KAGN — Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter. John is a longtime advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, an active voice in local politics, and a producer and promoter who creates opportunities for drag queens and drag kings while helping performers build and advance their careers.
Much of John’s work is devoted to supporting, promoting and creating space for others in the community — including many of the performers sharing The Velvet Vice stage tonight.
In other words, the real John spends an awful lot of time supporting other people. Johnny, on the other hand, is considerably harder to defend.
VIVYAN JAYMES MOURNINGWOULD
Glamorous, ambitious and unapologetically theatrical, Viv is one of The Velvet Vice’s star performers and perfectly capable of commanding a room. She knows the club, she knows its personalities, and she has a front-row seat to more drama than any reasonable person should have to manage.
Tonight, Viv isn’t merely performing. She’s helping guide everyone through the chaos — which puts her awfully close to everything happening inside The Velvet Vice.
Behind the character: Vivyan Jaymes Mourningwould is the reigning Miss Keystone Alliance / Gaylife Newsletter 2026–2027 and a Pittsburgh-based drag performer, host and LGBTQ+ advocate. A familiar presence at Pride celebrations, community events and benefit performances throughout Western Pennsylvania, Viv has used her platform to support charitable causes, LGBTQ+ visibility and the community around her.
Onstage, Viv is known for her theatrical performances, distinctive style and ability to command a room, but her work extends well beyond performing. She has hosted community events, supported fellow entertainers, participated in charitable fundraisers and used her growing platform to help create spaces where LGBTQ+ people and performers feel welcome and celebrated.
Viv is also deeply committed to the drag community itself — encouraging newer performers, collaborating with other entertainers and helping build opportunities for drag to be seen not only as entertainment, but as an important part of the community and its culture.
The real Viv is considerably less suspicious — although every bit as glamorous.
DYKE TYSON
Confident, sharp and fiercely invested in The Velvet Vice, Dyke isn’t just another performer in the club — half of it belongs to him.
That means Dyke has opinions about the money, the business, the future and exactly how this place ought to be run. Unfortunately, so does Johnny.
When two strong personalities share a nightclub, a history and competing ideas about what comes next, disagreements are inevitable.
Usually they don’t end in murder.
Behind the character: Dyke Tyson is an accomplished drag king whose unmistakable metal-inspired style, commanding stage presence and infectious energy have taken him to Pride stages, drag shows and special events throughout the region. A titleholder, competitor and seasoned entertainer, Dyke has built a performance style that is unmistakably his own.
Known for high-energy performances and a fearless approach to his art, Dyke brings personality, creativity and authenticity to every stage he steps onto. He’s an entertainer who doesn’t simply perform a number — he commits to it, connects with the audience and makes sure they remember him when it’s over.
Offstage, Dyke is a valued member of the drag and LGBTQ+ community who supports fellow performers and shows up for the people around him. His talent is matched by the heart he brings to the community, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have him as part of Murder at the Velvet Vice.
The real Dyke is someone we’re very happy to have in our corner. His Velvet Vice counterpart, however? Keep an eye on him.
CHOKING HAZARD
Choking Hazard is one of the newer performers at The Velvet Vice — talented, ambitious, flashy, dramatic and determined to prove that she belongs.
She’s hungry for opportunities and getting awfully tired of being treated like the inexperienced newcomer who’s supposed to patiently wait her turn.
Oh, and she has a little hobby.
She’s obsessed with true crime. Documentaries. Podcasts. Famous cases. Forensics. Investigative mistakes. Strange crime-scene details. Choking knows an entirely reasonable amount about murder.
The term “Reasonable” may be doing some heavy lifting there.
Behind the character: Choking Hazard is the reigning Miss Johnstown Pride 2026, a performer, co-host of Johnstown Pride 2026 and show host at La Pierre in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Choking has become a wonderful part of the community, bringing talent, personality, humor and an unmistakable presence whenever she takes the stage.
As a performer, Choking isn’t afraid to be bold, theatrical or completely unexpected. She brings her own point of view to everything she does, and that willingness to take chances has made her an exciting performer to watch as she continues to grow and make her mark.
Just as importantly, Choking brings genuine enthusiasm and heart to the people around her. She’s become a valued part of the family that’s grown around these shows — someone we’re proud to see wearing the Miss Johnstown Pride crown and very happy to have inside The Velvet Vice.
The real Choking is talented, funny and an absolute joy to have around. Her character’s fascination with true crime, however, is beginning to feel a little more concerning under the circumstances.
THIQQI NIKKI
Thiqqi knows The Velvet Vice.
She knows the personalities, the politics, the backstage drama and the grudges people thought everyone else had forgotten.
She’s observant, composed and just mysterious enough to make you wonder exactly how much she knows — and how much she’s deliberately not telling you.
Everybody at The Velvet Vice has secrets. Thiqqi just seems considerably more comfortable keeping hers.
So what does she know about Johnny?
That’s another question entirely.
Behind the character: Thiqqi Nikki brings a genuine background in theater to Murder at the Velvet Vice, along with the kind of stage presence that comes from years of performing. She regularly lends her time and talent to shows, community events and charitable fundraisers, using her gifts not only to entertain but to help others.
That theatrical experience makes Thiqqi a natural fit for a night where performance and storytelling collide. She brings confidence, character and an understanding of how to draw an audience into a story — particularly useful when everyone in that story has something to hide.
Beyond the stage, Thiqqi is generous with both her time and her talent, regularly showing up when her community and the people around her need support. That willingness to give of herself is one of the many reasons we’re so happy to have her helping bring Murder at the Velvet Vice to life.
The real Thiqqi is someone we’re incredibly proud to have in our cast. Her Velvet Vice counterpart, however? Trust her at your own risk.
ANEDA TENSION
Aneda Tension is a veteran entertainer and longtime fixture of The Velvet Vice — seasoned, professional, experienced and very secure in the knowledge that she has earned her place here.
Performers come and go. Trends change. Clubs change. Aneda remains.
And if there’s one thing everyone knows about Aneda, it’s Cher. It’s one of her signature specialties, people know it, people request it, and Aneda takes it seriously.
Unfortunately, not everyone at The Velvet Vice has shown it quite the same respect.
Let’s just say Aneda remembers.
Behind the character: Aneda Tension is the reigning Miss Gaylife 2026 and an experienced entertainer whose years onstage show in the confidence, polish and personality she brings to every performance. A seasoned presence in the drag community, Aneda brings experience, humor and a wonderfully distinctive personality wherever she performs.
Offstage, Aneda couldn’t be much further from the grudge-holding Velvet Vice character we’ve given her. She’s genuinely warm, kindhearted and an absolute sweetheart — the kind of person whose friendliness makes you feel welcome and whose company makes a show that much more fun.
We’re incredibly happy to have both her experience and her wonderful spirit as part of Murder at the Velvet Vice. She brings something special to the cast simply by being herself — right up until she steps into character.
The real Aneda brings talent, humor and plenty of character to the stage — and, unlike her Velvet Vice counterpart, probably isn’t keeping a running list of everyone who has ever wronged Cher.
ZAVARY
Zavary works behind the scenes at The Velvet Vice, which means he’s around for the things the audience sees — and quite a few things they don’t.
He moves through the club, helps keep the show running, hears conversations he probably wasn’t supposed to hear and has an unfortunate habit of being nearby when interesting things happen.
He’s also the club’s resident prankster, so determining when Zavary is being helpful and when he’s screwing with you may prove difficult.
He sees things. He hears things. He knows things.
The question is whether any of those things have something to do with Johnny.
Behind the character: Zavary is played by Zavary Duncan, who grew up performing in musical theater and is no stranger to life both onstage and behind the curtain. Murder at the Velvet Vice brings him back into that world in a role created specifically with him in mind.
Zavary is also one of Viv’s biggest supporters. He has spent countless hours at shows, Pride events and appearances supporting his sibling — helping behind the scenes, lending a hand when it’s needed and being part of the family effort that helps make the magic happen.
Zavary’s quick wit, sense of humor and natural ability to find himself in the middle of whatever is happening made the Velvet Vice stagehand a particularly easy character to imagine.
The supportive brother is real. The sense of humor is real. And the resident-prankster designation was absolutely earned.
DOREY
Somebody has to keep The Velvet Vice running while everybody else is busy creating drama.
Money. Paperwork. Schedules. Agreements. Business details Johnny would rather ignore. Dorey handles all of it.
She’s organized, observant, practical, stubborn when she needs to be, and usually knows considerably more about what’s happening inside the club than people realize.
Most importantly, Dorey keeps receipts.
Literally and figuratively.
Behind the character: Dorey Duncan Scott is a published author and lifelong writer with a background that includes theater, modeling, fashion, music, marketing and the legal field. She began writing for the stage early in her career, and Murder at the Velvet Vice marks her return to creating for live theater after many years away.
Around the drag community, however, Dorey may be better known by another title: Momma Mourningwould. What began with supporting Viv has grown into something much bigger, as Dorey has unofficially adopted more than a few of the performers and young people who have become part of the family surrounding these shows.
She’s happiest somewhere behind the scenes — cheering them on, helping when she can, celebrating their wins, worrying about them like they’re her own and making sure they know somebody is always in their corner. Some came into her life as performers or friends and simply never stopped being family.
Murder at the Velvet Vice brings those worlds together: Dorey’s love of writing and theater, the wonderfully eclectic family she’s gathered along the way, and an opportunity to create something they can all step inside and bring to life together.
Of course, being Momma Mourningwould doesn’t mean she’s above making her adopted children murder suspects for entertainment purposes.
She loves them dearly.
She also knows all their secrets.
Make of that what you will.
CAST & CREW
Meet the performers, players and questionable characters bringing Murder at the Velvet Vice to life tonight.
Playing themselves… more or less.
HOUSE RULES
MURDER AT THE VELVET VICE
Written & Created by Dorey Duncan Scott
Adapted from an original story and brought to life for the stage with the cast of Murder at the Velvet Vice.
With special thanks to Lucy’s Place and Keystone Alliance Gaylife/Newsletter, and to every performer, cast member, crew member and volunteer who helped turn The Velvet Vice from a story on a page into the questionable establishment you’ve entered tonight.
And, of course, thank you to everyone reckless enough to spend the night with us.
You’ve met them.
You’ve heard their stories.
You’ve seen their secrets.
Now there’s only one question left.
WHO KILLED
JOHNNY?
Everybody lies. 🔪💋
ENJOY THE SHOW.