TEA, TACOS, MYSTERY AND MAYHEM

A review by Julian Bonner

Spoiler alert! There is a lot of murder and a lot of mystery in Brian D. Taylor’s

play, The Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery.

Photo Credit: Colleen Algeo Photography

Director Maria Serino has brought a fabulous ensemble to the stage who play

off each other superbly and the (mainly) young cast portray convincing

caricatures of “real” actors with all their foibles, insecurities and self-

righteousness.

Leading the mayhem is Pockets Seachrist (Brett Donahue) who tries their

best (and generally manages) to control their cast despite castigating them

at every turn for “thinking” when they should be acting. I certainly wouldn’t

want to be directed by Brett on any show and they display their annoyance

and frustration very convincingly.

The Polk family is headed by Braden Dell ’Aquila (Richard Green/Mr. Frederick

Polk) who skillfully slips between a fine “actor” and a confused cast member

as he tries to make sense of the mayhem around him. Helen Spigel (Holly

Hanover/Mrs. Margaret Polk) plays his wife who pours more tea during the

show than at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party and is generally one of the

more rationale participants. Their daughter, the wonderful Ella Pinkerton

(Sandy Smith/Gertrude Polk) is a feisty girl with lots to say and plays her part

delightfully.

(Note: the 8 “cast” members adopt a British accent for reasons which will

become clear and do so extremely well [this Brit was impressed]).

Meagan Reed (Scarlet Mays/Ms. Polly) never has a nice word to say to

anyone and is excellent in her sharp-tongued retorts. Avianna McCarthy

(Misty Gere/The Maid) is definitely the most upset individual at the constant

violence inflicted on stage and has a piercing scream that cuts right through

you.

Two of the funniest players are Donatello Hicks (Tom Baines/Mr. Humphrey

Black) who has a craving for a Taco every time he awakes from his

slumber/death and Bria McCarthy (Susan Wells) the “limited” piano player. I

found their roles hilarious.​

Rounding out the “actors” is Tyler Jai Knowles (Gary Ferguson/Inspector

Bradshaw) who also brings humor and authority to his part.

Attempting to support both the cast and the Director is Jessica Heller (Erica

Stone) the Stage Manager who seems to have unending responsibilities and

plays her part with equal measures of gusto and disillusion.

The long arms of the law are played capably by Drew Lichty (Inspector

Wright) and Caedence Vaughn (Inspector Fuller) with Alyssa Harr (Adele

Sears) as the often-feared theater critic.

Rounding out the cast is Richard Rosas (Brian) the conflicted and afflicted

Playwright, very full of himself and in awe of his own abilities.

Photo Credit: Colleen Algeo Photography

I attended the second show on Saturday 1 August which was completely sold

out!

Run to get tickets for the remaining 4 performances (Friday August 7th at 7.30pm; Saturday, August 8th at 2pm and 7.30pm and the closing show on Sunday, August 9th at 2pm). You will not be disappointed.

Special thanks to the show sponsor: The UPS Store at Shelly Square Harleysville (267) 454-0267.