[NEohioPAL] Postmortem --Ken Ludwig's thrilling whodunit at WRP

[Marie Dusini]

Entertainment & Lifestyle
‘Postmortem’ thrilling whodunit at WRP

9/16/2010 - West Side Leader
       By David Ritchey








Virginia Hanlon and Marc Dusini share a scene in Western Reserve Playhouse’s production of “Postmortem.”

Photo: Michael KermizisBATH — Murder, revenge, a secret love affair and pistols that misfire and don’t fire are the guts of “Postmortem,” a delicious mystery now playing at the Western Reserve Playhouse (WRP). 
An actress was murdered at a party a year ago. Now, on the anniversary of that death, all of the guests return to the scene.
However, much more is happening on the stage.
Ken Ludwig wrote “Postmortem.” That name should be familiar to most theater-goers in the Akron area.
Ludwig wrote “Moon Over Buffalo” and “Lend Me a Tenor,” which Weathervane Playhouse has produced. He also wrote “Leading Ladies,” which was offered by Coach House Theatre last season. Ludwig also has written “Twentieth Century,” “Crazy for You” and others. Next season his new play, “A Fox on the Fairway,” will open.
Ludwig did his homework in theater history and brought William Gillette to the stage again. Gillette was a well-known American actor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was best known for playing the lead in “Sherlock Holmes,” which he wrote in collaboration with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
“Sherlock Holmes” first opened in 1899, and Gillette revived the show several times in the next 30 years. Some say Gillette could have been a much better actor if he had played a large variety of roles. But he found success playing Sherlock Holmes and continued playing that role throughout his career.
On his profits from playing Sherlock Holmes, Gillette bought 115 acres of land in southern Connecticut on which he had built “Gillette Castle.” He often invited the casts of his Broadway shows to the castle.
That is the basic background. In “Postmortem,” Gillette (Marc Dusini) has brought the cast of “Sherlock Holmes” to the Gillette Castle. The cast assembles in the Gillette Castle for a weekend party. But it’s also the one-year anniversary of the death of a woman Gillette loved. She had been shot in the head.
As the weekend party gets under way, Gillette tells the guests he thinks the murderer is in the room. All were at the party a year ago; all have returned. Who is the killer?
Gillette, using Sherlock Holmes’ techniques and style, sets about to solve the murder. He’s helped, in part, by Leo Barrett (Dave Hinebaugh), who plays Professor Moriarty in the current production.
But who could be the killer? Is it Louise Parradine (Sally Suren), a former actress who now conducts séances? Could the killer be Marion Barrett (Sue Cohen), an actress who is also Gillette’s sister? Or what about the obnoxious Bobby Carlyle (Matthew Wilks), an actor and playboy? Or should we suspect May Dison (Christina Douglas), an ingénue who looks much like the murdered actress?
The playwright keeps the cast small and lets suspicion fall on all, including Gillette.
Director Jan Futhey has helped each actor establish a distinct character. Futhey remembers most of this cast is doing a show on Broadway and have egos the size of New York and enjoy the drama of a good murder (or a bad murder).
Suren is excellent as the actress turned medium. When she conducts a séance, it’s difficult to know whether to laugh or be terrified. When she strolls onto the stage, she takes charge and frightens the audience into absolute silence.
Wilks makes the playboy a bit befuddled and dangerous. He is likeable, but also someone to fear.
Douglas plays May Dison as a sweetheart of an actress, with a heart of cold steel.
To describe more of the plot might ruin the fun for those who will see the show.
Futhey has directed one of the best productions WRP has offered in several seasons. I do wish she could have picked up the pace a bit. Some of the pauses between lines leave room for an 18-wheeler to drive through.
Alas, the intermission lasted more than 30 minutes. That’s much too long. I know friends want to visit, ushers have to sell raffle tickets and the restrooms provide limited facilities. But 15 minutes is enough time for an intermission.
“Postmortem” will continue at WRP Sept. 17-19 and 24-25. For ticket information, call 330-620-7314.
David Ritchey has a Ph.D. in communications and is a professor of communications at The University of Akron. He is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association.       
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