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T O P I C R E V I E W
marcogrouch
Posted - 02 Sep 2015 : 09:26:47 AMThe Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 by John Bishop opens September 11, 2015, at Villagers Theatre, Somerset, NJ, in the Franklin Township Municipal Complex with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm through September 27.
ADVISORY (please read): This is NOT A MUSICAL. We don't want you coming to the show and being disappointed when you notice that no one is singing (well, actually, there is a very little bit of singing, but it's intrinsic to the plot, and not just singing that substitutes for dialog, like you get in all those "other shows" that advertise themselves as musicals). We also wish to avoid complaints to the management or to the actors or to the people around you who are enjoying the comedic excellence (achieved without the hyper-theatricality of bursting into song) on the stage. Now that we've made that clear --- and we hope it won't dissuade you from coming to the show --- please read the following enticement to attending a performance.
THE PLOT: Several actors and the creative group have been gathered at an eerie old mansion to present a new musical comedy to a potential backer. Exposition rapidly reveals that: (1) several members of this group were involved in a musical production two years ago, during which three murders were committed by the "Stage Door Slasher" (still at large), (2) a raging blizzard has made escape from the mansion impossible, and (3) secret passages into the walls may appear at the stroke of a pen. This should give you an idea of the maniacal and darkly (not really that darkly) humorous activities abounding in this story. With everyone under suspicion, a secret code to unravel, several scuffles, any number of guns, ropes, poisons, blunt objects, knives, and other razor sharp implements and witticisms, this show has something for everyone . . . especially anyone possessing a slightly sardonic, sadistically slanted sense of silliness.
THE CAST & PRODUCTION GROUP: Cindy Chait is Helsa Wensel, the German maid with secret desires, secretive demeanor, and a secret recipe for hors d'oeuvres a la meat cleaver; Robyn Mandalakis is Elsa Von Grossenknueten, the Broadway angel with many dark, meandering passages in the walls of her mansion and in her mind; Arthur Gregory Pugh is Sergeant Kelly, the cop who's not afraid of the dark or of Little Orphan Annie; Gordon Wiener is Michael O'Reilly, the Irish tenor full of blarney and suspicious colloquialisms; Richard Butler is Ken De La Maize, the famous Hollywood director with a head full of plots, and possibly "plots" (it's enough to make you plotz!); Ariana Fort is Nikki Crandall, the ingenue/singer/dancer who's not afraid to pli� rough; Bobby Marusiefski is Eddie McCuen, the comedian with a misdirected punch line for every situation; Allison DiBiase is Marjorie Baverstock, the perpetually upbeat producer with an eternal smile; Mike Levine is Roger Hopewell, the (euphemism alert) flamboyant composer always on the brink of losing his composure; and Laurie Hardy is Bernice Roth, the lyricist who works best under pressure and under the influence.
The show is directed by Judi Parrish, stage managed by Beverly Kuo-Hamilton, and assistant stage managed by Madison Whiting; with costumes by Sue Darling, fight choreography by Katie Sillitti, lighting by Suzanne Wengryn, set development and construction by Guy Suabedissen, and incidental music composed by Daniel Sillitti; and co-produced by Emily Russoniello (also handling props and scenic artistry) and Howard Gross.
DISCLAIMER: Certain sensitive souls may find elements of this play to be offensive. Several ethnicities, nationalities and localities are mildly maligned, certain occupations are given a less-than-complimentary depiction, and serious subjects, such as murder and alcohol abuse, are treated rather frivolously (we call this "art"). There is also the stereotypical and unflattering portrayal of a number of theatre character types (albeit, with hilarious effect), but we can't imagine that anyone possesses the sensitivity which would cause them to object to this particular abuse.
TICKETS, ETC.: Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873 - just about 8 minutes from Exit 10 on Route 287 (Easton Ave south, right onto DeMott Ln). You may select your seats and print tickets by visiting www.villagerstheatre.com and following the appropriate links. Or phone 732-873-2710 to make reservations.
