Gift of Murder
The Long Beach Playhouse was established in 1929, and for eight
successful decades it has entertained the community with pride. From
its inception, for a variety of reasons, patrons have shown a preference
for productions of old fashioned murder-mysteries, especially if they're
British.
The Playhouse has obliged with an ongoing stream of that genre; so
no one should be surprised that another one just opened on the LBP
Mainstage.
It's unclear if George Batson's "Gift of Murder" was originally intended to be
a "comic thriller"; but that's how it's billed in the press release,
and Dale Jones directs it in a broad comedic style that resembles a spoof
or "high camp."
If you're familiar with the tongue-in-cheek tone of "The Thin
Man" (a sophisticated, detective series circa 1940s, starring
William Powell and Myrna Loy), that seems to be what Jones is after.
All the antics take place in a rented cottage in North England
(set design by David Calhoun, light design by Andrew Vonderschmitt,
sound design by Julie Moore).
It's early spring, and the world famous actress, Stella Cavendish,
has been whisked away from London's high-life due to extreme exhaustion.
Playhouse regulars will be happy to know that Yvonne Robertson, a LBP
favorite, has returned to play the part of this neurotic platinum blond.
On stage from start to finish with rapid-fire, non-stop dialogue,
Robertson deserves a round of applause.
Her niece Mary (Nicole Cannis) has found a nice quiet place in
the country for her famous aunt to recuperate. Whether she wants it
or not, Stella is being forced into a regimen of rest and
rehabilitation. That means no excitement, no cigarettes, no outside
stimulation, and no liquor. Fat chance.
A surly cook/housekeeper (Geraldine Fuentes) is also employed by
Mary, as is a mysterious nurse (Susan E. Taylor) who has a motor
mouth and a mind of her own. Both Fuentes and Taylor have chops,
which add spice and suspicion to the off-the-wall plot.
Before Stella can begin to get bored with it all, people start
popping in unexpected. (English accents vary from one to another.)
First there's Dennis, her old producer/lover, who is played by David
Rousseve; followed by flamboyant Flavia, a jealous actress who is
Stella's nemesis. Dianne Manaster's portrayal of Flavia is
deliciously over the top.
Wild and wooly things start to happen left and right. A
strange young man named Peter (novice actor David Anton) swims in
from across the lake. He claims to be smitten by Mary as she is to
him. Then he reveals he's the nephew of Oliver Keane (Stella's
former leading man), who just happens to own the cabin.
Next Keane (Bob Festes) shows up himself out of Stella's dark
past, and is shot to death by a hooded person that no one can
identify. Keep in mind: This mysterious "sturm und drang" murder
is presented as campy comedy that is bigger than life.
To find out what's going on, who the phantom killer is, why
Oliver Keane was the victim, and how Stella Cavendish fits into this
cockamamie situation, you'll have to go see "The Gift of Murder,"
which continues at the Long Beach Playhouse through June 21.
Where: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
When: 8 pm, Fri.-Sat.; 2 pm, Sun. matinee; through June 21
Admission: $20