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Something’s Afoot
A new Murder Mystery Musical
Book, Music and Lyrics by James McDonald, David Vos & Robert Gerlach
Additional Music by Ed Linderman
Directed by David Perkovich
Choreographed by Stacey Flaster
Music Direction by Margaret James
At Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Call 630-530-0111, tickets $25 - $50
Wednesdays at 1:30 pm Thursdays at 1:30 & 8 pm
Fridays at 8:30 pm
Saturdays at 5 & 8:30 pm
Sundays at 2 & 6 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission
Through May 20, 2007
Fun, cute musical mystery spoof thoroughly entertains
Why not have some fun viewing a well staged, well sung and well acted zany musical satire of Agatha Christie? Why not? It’s so funny. Ten of the finest players in Chicago enliven us with their antics. We have as much fun here as these actors seem to have. This tightly directed show is a credit to David Perkovich and choreographer Stacey Flaster whose movements and dances were clever, satirical and funny.
Ten people, all stereotypical British characters, have been summoned to the isolated island estate of Lord Dudley Rancour (an actual enemy of Agatha Crhistie), somewhere in the English Lake District. A sudden raging thunderstorm knocks out the bridge and all communication with the outside world, leaving the survivors to fend for themselves. When the wealthy lord comes up dead, the race in on to find the killer before another victim appears. The group tries to solve they mystery as, one-by-one, the fall in this clever spoof of Agatha Christie becomes a cute and stylish musical mystery treat.
The engaging “A Marvelous Weekend” is the introductory number where we meet the players as the tone is set for a romp into suspense. The score features a distinct quite British musical hall flavor reminiscent of Me and My Girl an/or a Noel Coward score Bill Bartelt’s large set is a testimony to the grand estates of the English countryside. In “Something’s Afoot,” the players sing as establish the tongue-in-cheek tone that gets us laughing. Clive (Mark R. Mahallak) the butler dies quickly—proving that the butler didn’t do it. Dr. Grayburn (Roger Anderson), Lady Grace Manley-Prowe (Iris Lieberman), Nigel Rancour (Jim Rank), Col. Gillweather (Don Forston), Lettie, the maid (Susie McMonagle), Flint (Michael Accardo), the groundskeeper, Miss Tweed (Liz Pazik, the shows marvelous anchor and narrator) together with Hope Langdon (McKinley Carter) and Geoffrey (Jon Cunningham) make up the terrific cast who land their comedy, dance up a storm and deftly overplay the satire in a tribute to the genre and musical comedy.
I can’t remember enjoying a light yet superbly played musical as much as Something’s Afoot. Drury Lane Oakbrook has a fun time awaiting. You’ll marvel at the production quality of this flawless musical.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2007
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