“What Dreams Are Made On”
This mystery spoof is written by David Belke and directed by Sarah Fuller. It is playing at their space, 7515 N. Brandon Ave. (off Lombard, parking lot across the street)., through June 24th. For more information, go to their site at www.twilighttheatercompany.org
In all our lives, there is probably that one elusive, impossible dream we want to achieve, which will make all our desires come true. For some, it is that secret place, buried in our imaginations, where all is tranquil…our Shangra-La, El Dorado, Glocamora, Neverland, Brigadoon, et. al. For others, it is an object that will bring us wealth and power. Such is the case with the Falcon from Maltese or, in this case, a jeweled dagger, or bodkin, that may hold the self-same power.
The story follows somewhat closely the same one as the classic, film-noir movie, “The Maltese Falcon.” And the style is the same with a hard-boiled shamus, Birnam Wood (Paul Roder), who also discovers his partner, Archie, has been killed while working on a case. The plot is steeped in that genre with narration by the lead character, garbed in the traditional crumpled trench coat (like Columbo), and sloppy hat, who is a hard-drinker, down-on-his-luck, and smokes too much.
But he has his ever-faithful Girl-Friday, Charlotte (Chelsea Read), over-eager, a bit ditzy and smitten over her boss. And this is the part where a whole array of femme fatales, mysterious strangers, and nasty critters crawl out of the woodwork. And, ‘tis true, but these role models step out of the scenery from 1600 Shakespearean England (no explanations as to how these two genres come to be together, so just go with the flow).
But, being that times are hard, he takes on a case that may solve the death of his partner, as well as retrieving the fabled jeweled bodkin/dagger. And, of course, an alluring woman, Viola (Lura Longmire) turns his head, as he finds out that Archie was working for her and she is also searching for her long-lost brother, Sebastian (Skye McLaren Walton). But he will need help with this quest, so he searches the slums, via his sotted buddy, Falstaff (Stan Yeend), with his main squeeze, Mistress Quickly (Christina Taft), and also scours royal society, through his good friend, Donalbain (Chris Murphy).
Meanwhile, to muddy the waters even more, he is stalked by a sneaky villain, Iago (Samuel Alexander Hawkins), and approached by the helpful, Mercutio (Blaine Vincent III), both desirous of the famed dagger. But Wood knows there is someone more powerful behind all this and that the disappearance of the brother, and the jeweled dagger, are somehow connected with his friend’s death. Really can’t tell you more without spoiling the mystery but know that the author does know his film noir, as well as Shakespeare, and blends the two genres successfully for the most part.
The cast of nine really does quite a good job of portraying, in some cases, as many as three characters. There is a very amusing Monty Python type of repartee between R&G (from “Hamlet”) from Vincent & Hawkins, a deliciously droll Richard III from Murph and a super incarnation of the ‘40s sleuth from Roder. Fuller has done well with her casting and manages to keep the play moving at a very brisk pace. All in all, a complicated thriller with a huge nod to Willy S. and pot-boiler mysteries, presented by a very talented cast.
I recommend this play. If you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.
This mystery spoof is written by David Belke and directed by Sarah Fuller. It is playing at their space, 7515 N. Brandon Ave. (off Lombard, parking lot across the street)., through June 24th. For more information, go to their site at www.twilighttheatercompany.org
In all our lives, there is probably that one elusive, impossible dream we want to achieve, which will make all our desires come true. For some, it is that secret place, buried in our imaginations, where all is tranquil…our Shangra-La, El Dorado, Glocamora, Neverland, Brigadoon, et. al. For others, it is an object that will bring us wealth and power. Such is the case with the Falcon from Maltese or, in this case, a jeweled dagger, or bodkin, that may hold the self-same power.
The story follows somewhat closely the same one as the classic, film-noir movie, “The Maltese Falcon.” And the style is the same with a hard-boiled shamus, Birnam Wood (Paul Roder), who also discovers his partner, Archie, has been killed while working on a case. The plot is steeped in that genre with narration by the lead character, garbed in the traditional crumpled trench coat (like Columbo), and sloppy hat, who is a hard-drinker, down-on-his-luck, and smokes too much.
But he has his ever-faithful Girl-Friday, Charlotte (Chelsea Read), over-eager, a bit ditzy and smitten over her boss. And this is the part where a whole array of femme fatales, mysterious strangers, and nasty critters crawl out of the woodwork. And, ‘tis true, but these role models step out of the scenery from 1600 Shakespearean England (no explanations as to how these two genres come to be together, so just go with the flow).
But, being that times are hard, he takes on a case that may solve the death of his partner, as well as retrieving the fabled jeweled bodkin/dagger. And, of course, an alluring woman, Viola (Lura Longmire) turns his head, as he finds out that Archie was working for her and she is also searching for her long-lost brother, Sebastian (Skye McLaren Walton). But he will need help with this quest, so he searches the slums, via his sotted buddy, Falstaff (Stan Yeend), with his main squeeze, Mistress Quickly (Christina Taft), and also scours royal society, through his good friend, Donalbain (Chris Murphy).
Meanwhile, to muddy the waters even more, he is stalked by a sneaky villain, Iago (Samuel Alexander Hawkins), and approached by the helpful, Mercutio (Blaine Vincent III), both desirous of the famed dagger. But Wood knows there is someone more powerful behind all this and that the disappearance of the brother, and the jeweled dagger, are somehow connected with his friend’s death. Really can’t tell you more without spoiling the mystery but know that the author does know his film noir, as well as Shakespeare, and blends the two genres successfully for the most part.
The cast of nine really does quite a good job of portraying, in some cases, as many as three characters. There is a very amusing Monty Python type of repartee between R&G (from “Hamlet”) from Vincent & Hawkins, a deliciously droll Richard III from Murph and a super incarnation of the ‘40s sleuth from Roder. Fuller has done well with her casting and manages to keep the play moving at a very brisk pace. All in all, a complicated thriller with a huge nod to Willy S. and pot-boiler mysteries, presented by a very talented cast.
I recommend this play. If you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.
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