Review: MURDER BY MISADVENTURE - Wow, What a Whodunit!

I must admit that I'm not very much a fan of the mystery genre, whether that be relevant to novels, plays or the like, but allow me to say upfront that I am willing to change my opinion entirely based on the show being performed at this moment at The Cape Playhouse. Now, the Playhouse has given its audiences quite a number of wonderful productions this summer, including the sold-out My Fair Lady, but I must say that I have been absolutely riveted by anything as much as I was with the group's current production, Murder By Misadventure. Not only is the plot incredibly clever and the number of suspenseful moments abundant, but everything that constitutes this brilliant text has the ability to capture it's audience's attention to the point that people will discuss who they believe the murderer to be during intermission. Although there is no audience involvement, the people who have the privilege of seeing this production are literally at the edge of their seats, waiting for the end of the show so that they may understand where all of this is going; of course, there is a beautiful plot twist at the end that will make certain people not their head in acknowledgement that they were right all along, and others gasp audibly (yes, I heard it) at what they did not see coming. I usually leave this comment for the conclusion of my reviews, but if you want to see a show with a unanimous stamp of approval, then this is one you should definitely consider.

Written by Edward Taylor (whom I would love to have the privilege of chatting with, the inner workings of his brain must be so profound) and directed by James Brennan (this show rocked, if you haven't already caught that), Murder by Misadventure is the title that mystery-series writing duo Kent and Riggs has bestowed upon its next potential project, but one which proves itself to not be limited to the confines of a television screen. Harold Kent is at odds with his careless and belligerent partner Riggs, who is also a fan of excessive alcohol consumption; simply put, he is a drunk, but a drunk with all the successful ideas the team has to offer the public. So, when Kent becomes determined to rid himself of his alcoholic partner whom he considers a burden (especially when an unexpected secret is at last disclosed), he decides that an "accidental" murder is the best course of action, using his partner's brilliant idea of a plotline against its creator. What ensues afterwards involves Kent, his wife and the couple's adamant yet somewhat laissez-faire follow-up of a murder they think will be a cinch, but what actually goes comically wrong.

Taking place in the course of two acts is a lifetime's worth of suspense, anticipation and mystery to make everyone a bit more nervous than they already are, but in a way that the audience cannot get enough of. It is a healthy kind of suspense, brought about by ordinary characters that seek to do the extraordinary. Of course with any murder mystery, an audience expects there to be a certain amount of waiting, followed by a plot twist that leads to another plot twist, etc. Yet with this show and production, the audience is able to really become acquainted with the characters it sees before them; every action is significant, every move made subject to question and everybody is, ultimately, a suspect, even if one would not seem to fit the bill at all. Each character does not try to win over the audience in the least, and there is not a "whodunit" air about this show at all; in fact, there is mass confusion experienced by the characters themselves in the midst of their own faulty planning, and it is fascinating to watch how they panic their way out of the quandaries they've brought about. You may think something is going to happen, and at times it does, but the puzzle pieces don't always make sense and therefore brings the audience on one hell of a ride.

I've already emphasized that this is one of the most ingenious things that could ever make its way onto a stage, but a lot of the excitement to be experienced exists because of the really wonderful job the actors did keeping up with the plot they were given; honestly, the fun I had watching them really did not have much of a precedent, especially considering the kind of show it was and what I presumed my general reaction would be. David Andrew MacDonald as Harry Kent is simply amazing. He navigates his way from being so certain to so angry and then just "snaps" without so much as a twitch of his eye; his calm, cool and collected "murderer" becomes the deeply agitated and confused victim of his own crime. In doing so, it is amazing just watching MacDonald do a stand up job of trying to maintain control of the situation while only falling into deeper trouble.

Jeremy Webb as Riggs is my favorite in this show, as his performance is just so genuine and tantalizing that it is difficult not to smile while watching him, There were moments in his performance that were just "right." I'm not quite sure how to otherwise explain it, but there would be a time when Riggs starts cracking up because of his own drunken stupor and he would just ever so briefly stop for a moment as if to analyze the situation before him and then proceed to give the most candid laugh (and performance) anyone is ever bound to see.

Monette Macgrath as Emma and Stephen Caffrey as Inspector Egan are both wonderful in their roles, especially when the true significance of their involvement in this "murder by misadventure" is revealed. Macgrath portrays her character as a very meek and submissive aid to her husband's master plan, and she remains fairly consistent throughout the play. I very much enjoyed watching her try to reign in her husband's ambitions, her hesitation to go on with the plan a wonderful foreshadow of the surprise in store for everyone. Caffrey is a very convincing actor playing an actor, let's just say that. He made everyone have a good laugh at the end.

Although is the end really funny? You'll just have to see the show and find out for yourself.

Murder by Misadventure at The Cape Playhouse, located at 820 Route 6A in Dennis Village, began performances on August 25th and will continue thru September 5th. Ticket prices vary and may be purchased either in person at the box office, by calling 508.385.3911 or by visiting www.capeplayhouse.com. The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesday @ 2 PM and 7:30 PM, and Thursday thru Saturday at 8 PM.

Enjoy the show!

Photo Credit: Michelle Kazanowski

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