[NEohioPAL] Review of Out of Sight...Out of Murder by Ted Larsen Sun News

[Mary Manos-Mitchem]

Read the review and come see the show....it is worth it!

 

 

     The mystery genre is full of cliche and convention.  Audiences not only accept this, they expect it.  But "Out of Sight, Out of Murder, " a comedy-mystery currently being staged by North Royalton Players, humorously turns these conventions on their ear.

Peter Knight, struggling novelist, tries to breathe life into his career by writing a mystery novel.  Ensconced in an old Vermont house int eh middle of a  storm, Peter is shocked when a lightning golt mysteriously brings his characters to life, striaght out of the printed page.  When murder happens, it is up to Peter to fugure out which of is characters is the villain.  Complicating things is the fact taht Peter himself hadn't yet figured it out before they popped into the "real world."  

 

     The actors birng the cast of stereotypical (by design) characters to interesting life.  There are many nice moments for each performer - notably Nancy Settle's great honking laugh and Elisse Sheha's hysterical weeping.  At the center of the storm, Jason Nehal inhabits Peter's reserved confusion nicely.  Thelma Huttner delicately and deliciously balances the odd dualityof a character who is fully aware that she is a character.

 

     The brightest plaudits belong to Tori MacNair and Mary Manos-Mitchem.  MacNair, as "The Ingenue" is sweet and compelling, and she brings depth to every line, every movement, every glance.  Manos-Mitchem is flat-out hilarious as a high-energy spinster.  The two of them steal every scene they are in (even the curtain call!)  and their performances are the highlight of this funny show.

 

     The energetic cast is rounded out by Mitch Haar, Dave Winnyk, and Mike Yonkura.

The characters are intentionally cliched, which means that making them interesting - and worthy of our interest- is a steep challenge.  Director Chuck Poliafico is up to it.  He has imbued each actor with well-defined moments, and he moves the characters confidently around the stage.

 

     The story does not bear close examination, of course, and the script misses some potentially funny moments and lines.  But the premise is clever, and teh performances of most of the actors more than makes up for any short-comings the script presents.  It's an entertaining show, one that the audience seemed to thoroughly enjoy.

"Out of Sight, Out of Murder" continues throught February 21 at Edwin S. griffiths Masonic Lodge, 6320 Royalton Road, N. Royalton. Call 216-556-0415



 


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