“Like a Good
Neighbor…”
This murder mystery is written by Douglas Post and directed
by Doreen Lundberg. It is playing at
their space, 7515 Brandon Ave. (on the corner of Lombard--upstairs), through
November 5th. Free parking is
available across the street in the church parking lot. For more information, go to their site at www.twilighttheatercompany.org
Halloween month…just ripe for slasher films, horror stories
and…murder mysteries. Of course, the
other Queen of England is the one who rules mysteries, none other than Dame
Agatha Christie, all other writers pale by comparison. There are some restrictions in space, of
course, when presenting a complex story in this genre. But, that being said,
Post doesn’t do too bad with this teaser, or clinging to Christie’s robes. Without being a spoiler, this is not a
neighborhood one would wish to move into!
It is a new development, designed and built by the
meticulous Thomas Devereaux (David Roberts) who, with his alluring wife, Joan
(Deone Jennings), now live in what once was the Model Home. In appearance, they seem like the typical,
white-collar couple in suburbia, albeit, he’s a bit of a control freak and she
is a bit absent-minded. Of course, there was that incident with the neighbor
boy, and let’s not forget the destruction of some toys…but, that’s getting a
bit ahead (or behind) in the story. Then
again, who’s perfect, right?!
And they seem to have some lovely neighbors, who live right
across the street, Jeff Symons (Johnnie Torres), a consultant, who is less than
satisfied with his occupation and his very clever wife, Carolyn (Marcella
Laasch) and their two kids. Of course,
she does have these “black-out” periods where she seems to go somewhere
else. And we haven’t even got to
mentioning the odd burglaries in the area.
But they all seem to get along…playing cards, sharing drinks…having
dinners, even helping each other out in the home department or garage.
It could be just another domestic sit-com or warm, fuzzy
family drama…except for those little quirks that one character has when they
get angry…or how being forgetful can be your undoing…or why the Past has never
really…passed. If this seems like I’m
being evasive as to story, you’re right.
After all, it is a mystery, so have only given you hints, or clues, if
you will. Although the script is a tad
slow in getting to the point, when it does, it has some satisfying twists for
mystery buffs.
The set is nicely laid out and designed by Alexander
Woodward. Lundberg has done a good job
of casting it and manages to keep the play moving (although the annoying,
frequent scene breaks, because of the script, does manage to cool the tension a
bit). Roberts builds his character
slowly, which adds to the tension of the piece. Jennings does fit the role
physically as an alluring lady and manages to give depth to her plight. Torres is always worth watching in Twilight’s
productions, as he is here. And Laasch
does well in keeping you guessing as to who she is and what she’ll do next.
I do recommend this show as it’s a nice addition to the
Halloween season. If you do see it,
please tell them Dennis sent you.
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