The Catskill Chronicle

Reviewer Warns Audience NOT to Read the Program Till After the Show!

Review by Barry Plaxen

FORESTBURGH, NY (August 23, 2012) – I love murder mysteries on the stage, be they dramatic, melodramatic, comedic or farcical. The word “delicious” always comes to mind and I don’t know why. And “Murder Among Friends” which opened at Forestburgh Playhouse on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 deserves that tasty epithet.

Bob Barry’s play is full of all the fun associated with the genre; plot twists, deceit, confusion, suspense, thunder & lightning, surprise after surprise, and a gunshot or three. All those elements are skillfully brought out in the play by the director, whom I believe to be Kevin Confoy, be they plot, character, sound effects or staging. I had a ball watching and listening.

Since witnessing the original Broadway production of Agatha Christie’s “Witness for the Prosecution,” I have learned NEVER to read the cast list or scene locations of a murder mystery until the play is over. It can kill (pun intended) any surprises. I advise the same for viewers of “Murder Among Friends.” There was one shockaroo which missed being a surprise because I read the program first. And the advertisers/supporters will love you if you take the program home for later careful perusal, anyway.

For the same reason, I really do not want to describe the plot as the surprises start pretty quickly. It matters not who they are, what they do and where they reside. They are funny. They entertain. And they’re in a play that was carefully crafted for laughs and guesswork.

The supporting cast is excellent: Dan Fenaughty, Zachary Bencal and Michael Starr, bringing out every nuance needed for each of their lines, while Ellen Pavloff and Steve Davis add much variety and additional fun to the goings-on. I especially liked the costumes by Ashley Poteat which skillfully added unique visual aspects to each actor’s characterization.

This is a high level of some really good theatre, the kind we love to love. Of course the artistic crew had help from the playwright – the lines and the scripted stage business are funny.

Which brings me to another aspect of good theatre, the kind we love to love. Star Quality. Charisma and superb acting. Every word completely loud and clear and understandable and the feeling that the show is being put on just for you. I love all that too.

The two leads, Loretta Swit and what’s-his-name – oh yes, Norman Duttweiler, are wonderful. I have seen Duttweiler in many small comedic roles and a few large dramatic roles, but never a lead role in a comedy. Swit, wonderful in the dramatic roles which I have seen her play, needs no explanation of her comedic talents. Unlike the play itself, her performance was not a surprise. We know her as a very funny lady – vulnerable, charming and a great communicator. We expect all that from her and she always gives it. When she is around, we are blessed.

For me, the proof of a worthwhile show and great acting is because I know I could sit through another performance and still react with laughter, even though I know what the surprises are. That is the test, I guess, of great acting (and damn good dialogue). Every line and every bit of Swit’s and Duttweiler’s stage business are delivered with aplomb, confidence (no opening night jitters – maybe a line delay or three), poise, nonchalance and coolness. They literally take the stage. I am pretty sure the opening night audience agreed.

Forestburgh Theatre’s production of “Murder Among Friends” is meritorious and rewarding. Light entertainment with no relevance to today’s tribulations, that takes you out of yourself and into the world of laughs and enjoyment.

The play runs only through August 26. HURRY! (Apologies – a too long electric outage in Bloomingburg delayed getting this review online yesterday.)

Phone for tickets 845-794-1194, or buy online at www/fbplayhouse.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Playhouse Gardens Praised for their Beauty and Diversity

When Sullivan Renaissance recently awarded the winners of beautification grants in the A, B, and C categories, they also announced separate awards for the most beautiful flower gardens in the county with the “Showing of Flowers” awards. The gardens at the Forestburgh Playhouse won First Prize as well as a grant of $5,000.

In awarding the prize, Sullivan Renaissance announced that “the Judges were impressed  by the overall number of gardens; an abundance of color, unique designs and 2012 Renaissance Collection; the artistically themed container vignettes; creative use of structures incorporated in the gardens; cohesive use of perennials, annuals, tropicals, shrubs and trees; and the meticulous maintenance of the gardens.”

“We are honored and humbled to receive such recognition of our gardening efforts here at the Playhouse,” said Producing Director and chief gardener Norman Duttweiler upon hearing of the award. “Of course our regular patrons were not surprised, but the acknowledgement is very satisfying. We invite anyone who is interested in gardening to drop by the Playhouse anytime and wander through the gardens – they are open to the public and the more people can enjoy them the better.”