Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The Renaissance City Theatre Co., the producing entity of the Granite Theatre’s current show is “A Murder is Announced” by Agatha Christie adapted by Leslie Darbon for the stage. In this show an advertisement appears in the personal column in the local newspaper, announcing a murder will take place at the home of Miss Blacklock’s who is one of Miss Marple’s acquaintances. It turns out to not be a prank, and when two murders take place, Miss Marple and a detective have to work their way through a house full of suspects. Director John Cillino casts these roles beautifully, garnering splendid and well nuanced performances from them. He gives them many comic moments to liven things up as well as cliff hanger music to enhance the melodramatic endings to murderous moments.
John infuses his cast with high energy and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats trying to figure out who the murderer really is. The show is full of many twists and turns as well as red herrings, hidden identities and clues the audience must figure out. John sets the show in England in 1930’s. The gorgeous set is by David Jepson while the 1930’s costumes are by Beth Jepson. Not wanting to give away too many secrets of this mystery, I’ll describe the performers and their characters. Heather Carey tackles the role of Miss Marple, as she methodically solves this crime. She gives a strong portrayal of this charming, eccentric character. Michelle Mania shines as her friend, Miss Blacklock who someone wants to be dead. She is onstage almost the whole show and delivers a well balanced and nuanced performance as this complex character who has many mood swings during the show. Her wacky humorous friend is splendidly played by Diana Blanda who returns to the stage in the role of Bunny. She is dotty woman who is reminiscent of Rose on “The Golden Girls” as she calls other characters by different names and tells wild and crazy stories. What a way to steal many scenes in your return to Renaissance City Theatre.
The wily police inspector is fantastically played by Michael Jepson who commands the stage in these interrogation scenes. His strong voice and manner are perfect for Inspector Craddock. Miss Blacklock’s mysterious distant relatives are strongly played by Paul DiSilvestro and Steph Rogers while Danielle Conti plays, a young mother with a hidden past. Throw in a busybody neighbor, Mrs. Swettenham who delivers honey and Edmund, her pompous writer son well played by Judy George and Tom Steenburg. They show up unexpectedly. Another scene stealer is a hot tempered Russian maid played excellently by Veronica Strickland who tells many a tall story. She steals many scenes with her comic antics and terrific Russian accent. Rounding out the cast is Zack Tunquist as the cop and the mysterious Rudi Scherz. So for a murder mystery story that audiences can savor and enjoy sprinkled with many laughs and red herrings along the way, be sure to catch “A Murder is Announced” at the Granite Theatre.
A Murder is Announced (7 to 30 September)
The Renaissance City Theatre, Granite Theatre, 1 Granite St, Westerly, RI
1(401)596-2341 or www.granitetheatre.com
