WOW - I echo the praise of esteemed reviewers from LSJ and the Pulse. MURDER FOR TWO is a true delight — a witty, wacky, musical treat that mixes the beloved familiarity of a “whodunit” with fresh new twists at every turn. 

Audiences are in for a bundle of laughs, as well as straight out amazement, that these two multi-talented actors, Mark Schenfisch and Andrea Wollenberg, are able to fully inhabit this two-person tour de force—AND be their own orchestra. The dual piano playing is impressive — and Andrea’s deft, distinct transformations into a vast array of “suspects” are a wonder. (I especially loved the “kids.”)

Both these actors have played these roles before, with other theatres. Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair’s clever script singles out such dual-talents. I’m sure each brought insights and bits from previous productions and mixed them with director Rob Roznowski’s imaginative staging and choreography — occasionally breaking the fourth wall to great effect. The set (Bartley Bauer) is appropriately spooky with off-kilter bookshelves that hide fun props (Michelle Raymond.)

The show is about an hour and a half. Even though there’s no intermission, take time to check out the wonderful pottery art for sale in the back lobby before or after the show. 

ALSO, (I imagine taking advantage of the grand piano loaned by Reeder Pianos) Williamston is offering “An Evening of Intimate Jazz” with Jeff Kressler on keyboard and Elizabeth Kunc on vocals 7pm Sunday, August 13. Tickets $50 and $30.

Make your reservations NOW for Murder for Two. It was sold out tonight and deserves to be sold out for the rest of the run - through August 20.

www.williamstontheatre.org
517-655-7469

CORALINE at Riverwalk Theatre has been pronounced “scary but cool and funny” by my 8, 9, 11-year old reviewers. Also, they got a kick out of some boys playing girls parts, especially Christopher Verhil as the delightfully creepy villainess, Other Mother. His unsettling humor, sinister hand, and increasingly evil makeup were a highlight.

Kudos to the saintly and/or crazy Sadonna Croff for directing this cast of 30 young folks from 10 to 18. Coraline was her first musical, offering extra challenges for her fifth year heading up the Young Artisan Workshop program at Riverwalk. Thanks also to Angie Schwab, accompanist and music director. 

Tom Ferris’s multi-level set represented both Coraline’s real home, and the “other home” accessed by the magical door— with useful hiding places for unexpected creatures. Assorted puppets added to the throng, and were another opportunity for kids to be creative. Lighting by Elijah Hartley helped with transitions and defined the mirror-world.

Kinza Parker was our intrepid heroine, bringing us along on her curious explorations and learning the meaning of bravery — being scared, but doing it anyway — foiling the evil Other Mother and saving her parents, trapped in the netherworld of the mirror — with the help of the magic stone with the hole, and the aloof advice of the Cat (Lauren Kreuger).

Steve Wulfekuhler did well as both Mr. Bobo and Other Mr. Bobo, with energy, animation and a fun accent, as he commandeered his circus mice and/or rats. Margaret Waterbury had a strong, mature voice as Miss Forcible, paired with the flightier Bella Croff as Miss Spink. Other Miss Spink (Lottie-Brook Mims) and Other Miss Forcible (Jarod Jeffery) were dramatic in their Theatre-Is-Fun scene.

As with most shows by young/new performers, there were times we might want to tighten up the pace, but the twisty plot and fun surprises kept us interested — and my amazement at the crowd control needed to bring such a surreal and interesting fable together led me to give it any “grains of salt” needed. 

This fun, mysterious show continues at 7pm Saturday and 4:30 pm Sunday ONE WEEKEND ONLY! It does last nearly two hours, (counting intermission) so both length and spookiness make it less than ideal for very young children.
http://www.riverwalktheatre.com

Failure: a Love Story — this stylized fable on the LCC outdoor amphitheater is oddly endearing. It chronicles the deaths and loves of the Fail family, and their clockworks business, raising interesting questions about life/death/time/love/loss against a backdrop of the early 20th century.

The show begins with the description of assorted deaths. “If you could see how it was going to end, would that make it easier?” 

The set is simple and the actors themselves create water and the clockworks by their well choreographed dance/blocking. Missy Lilje is credited with “movement” and created lovely flowing pictures. Chelle Peterson’s costumes are partly period, partly fantasy/fairy tale. Movement and costumes create a living set against the practical, backdrop construction by Scott Crandall.

Not unlike Over the Ledge’s Elephant’s Graveyard, Failure's plot is relayed through assorted narrators. Both shows are symbolic, poetic, profound — in a sort of removed “storyteller” manner. Failure is not a “Musical!” musical, but features several songs, such as “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” that add to the mood.

Director Andy Callis’s notes explain that though “failure, loss and death seem to be the main facts of our lives, there is something else: it renews, it flows, it lives. And it is in the title.”

Failure: a Love Story continues through Sunday - one weekend only - all shows at 7pm in the amphitheater behind Dart Auditorium. Take a minute to stroll up behind the audience and enjoy the lovely Japanese pond/plantings.


​