Their first production this season offered spectacular performances trapped within a bad script. Their second production exchanged a great script with a total lack of chemistry between the three talented leads. Their last one, well, didn't offer much of anything. Now it's January, and I'm glad to say that Phoenix Theatre's season has finally kicked into gear with a production that matches everything up correctly. Director/Choreographer Kathleen Conry, with the aid of omnipresent Artistic Director Michael Barnard, has pulled together an exceptional local cast for Something's Afoot, a very hilarious musical spoof of '30s English Parlor Murder Mysteries that combines stiff upper lip with tongue-in-cheek to hilarious effect.
Think of every cliché you've ever experienced while watching Miss Marple, Charlie Chan, or Hercule Poirot at work. Add some clever, if not necessarily memorable songs that highlight these surprising plot twists. Toss in some wonderful tricks from Richard Farlow's dead-on recreation of a creepy English country retreat under siege by the type of electrical storm that always seems to accompany these murderous trysts. What you've got are the makings for a laugh riot guaranteed to make murder mystery aficionados and neophytes laugh equally as loud.
Conry's well-timed pacing and blocking are a treat. Her dance numbers are highly enjoyable, and she ensures that her actors hit their marks with precision. The ensemble of impressive singing and comedic acting talent does not have a single weakness. Conry has kept everyone in her group modulated, ensuring her cast never over- or underplays the camp of this farcical piece. Precision is the key, and save for a few minor glitches, precision is what makes this production such a joy to watch. One other impressive feat that bears noting is the consistency of accents, which blessedly recognizes the many social layers and regionalisms of British English.
I can't pick a favorite in the cast. It's impossible to highlight any one person without slighting the remainder of the cast. The de facto lead of the ensemble is Susan Goeppinger as Miss Tweed, the tweedy, elderly amateur detective. Goeppinger carries her part of the show with panache, whether she's leading the charge or coming up with the oddest of clues. Rusty Ferracane's great singing voice and sly looks as the smarmy ne'er do well nephew Nigel are a treat. Chris Vaglio's haughty Col. Gillweather is excellently and hilariously played. Natalie Ellis has returned to Phoenix in great fashion, batting her eyes and kicking her legs to fabulous effect as ingénue Hope Langdon. Nick Cartell performs seemingly innocent interloper Geoffrey quite enjoyably, and his song-and-dance numbers with Ellis highlight his extensive talents. Patricia Kennedy broadly and excellently offers grand dame Lady Grace Manley-Prowe. Wes Martin is in his element as stuffy Dr. Grayburn. The hired-help trio of Katie McFadzen as maid Lettie, D. Scott Withers as Flint the caretaker, and Gil Berry as Clive the butler are all very funny.
Not since ATC's The Mystery of Irma Vep has a set been this integral to the show, and Farlow has been equally as successful. Michael J. Eddy's lighting drew too much attention to itself, constantly swapping colors in the middle of scenes and numbers. Gail Wolfenden-Steib's costumes are first rate, and Tray Cadenhead's work on props and set dressing is very well handled. David Temby's sound design is solid.
This is the kind of show I've always known PT is capable of producing. I highly recommend everyone to see this hilarious and professional treat, and wish it a very successful run.
Production Details:
Something's Afoot Book, Music,
and Lyrics by James McDonald, Davis Vos, and Robert
Gerlach. Additional Music by Ed Linderman
Phoenix Theatre, Phoenix
(For a map to location,
click this
link)
(602) 254-2151
January 9th - 27th, 2002