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Regional Reviews: St. Louis Murder for Two Also see Richard's review of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
Ian Fairlee plays the sleuth, and Jeremiah Ginn nearly all the suspects in 2011's Murder for Two at Stages St. Louis: a 100-minute musical romp at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. And the pure camp of it has plenty of twists and turns. Michael Kostroff directs with wacky confidence and clarity in this production of Joe Kinosian (book and music) and Keleen Blair's (book and lyrics) mystery spoof, which debuted at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater fourteen years ago. In the comedy, a celebrated mystery writer has been shot in the dark right before his birthday party, just when everyone was about to jump out and yell "surprise!" Absurdity is the prime suspect. When not silkily embodying the writer's wife, or a very physical ballerina, or a distaff young criminologist, Mr. Ginn is suspiciously eyeing about a half dozen other characters he embodies on stage. Mr. Fairlee (who is deliciously naturalistic) plays the very junior detective Marcus, who suddenly realizes he does not need to start from scratch in his investigation–because the suspects are already famous themselves. The deceased mystery writer had been culling secrets and scandals from the lives of nearly everyone at the party for years, to build up his own readership and fortune, till their deepest, darkest secrets became widely known. So perhaps it's no wonder he got shot. Even Marcus does not escape our suspicion, nor is he any stranger to murder or betrayal. Here, Mr. Fairlee's character is always falling for the wrong woman (in this case the lithe Verette, a ballerina, danced to perfection by Mr. Ginn). And we are treated to a lurid comic flashback sung by the another woman who once broke Marcus' heart (also the peripatetic Mr. Ginn). The beautiful set is by Ann Beyersdorfer, with lights to match by Sean M. Savoie. And the first class props crew is headed by Rachel Seabaugh. Murder for Two, a Stages St. Louis production, runs through June 29, 2025, at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, 210 E. Monroe Avenue, St. Louis MO. For tickets and information, please visit www.stagesstlouis.org. Cast: Production Staff: Properties Supervisor: Rachel Seabaugh * Denotes Member, Actors' Equity Association |
