Comedy whodunnit providing plenty of laughter on Rivertown stage

JOHN PERKINS

KENNER LA - Murder and mayhem among the ranks of Broadway's actors and actresses is told with a humorous accent in "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940", a comedy by John Bishop, that is the current attraction at Kenner's Rivertown theatre. Under the direction of Gary Rucker, this whodunnit will test your detective powers while providing you with an evening of laughs.

The stage door slasher who has been choosing his victims from the ranks of the theatre's chorus girls, is back at work and a trap has now been set to apprehend him before he can do any more damage.

The action is set in the library if Elsa Von Grossenknueten's Chappaqua New York mansion in December 1940. The wealthy lady who has backed many Broadway shows is supposedly holding auditions for a new show she is interested in, and a variety of talent has come to the home for the auditions.

Michael Kelly is a New York police sergeant who has been sent to apprehend the slasher if he falls into the trap. We, as the audience, learn about the plan as he talks with Von Grossenknueten about the plan.

Others we will meet are Patrick O'Reilly, an irishman; Ken de la Maize, a successful director; Nikki Crandall, an ingenue type; Eddie McCuen, a stand up comic, Marjorie Baverstock, a producer and partner with de la Maize; Roger Hopewell, the song writing member of the production and Bernice Roth, a lyricist. All are there - or at least believe they are there - to be part of the special audition in hopes of being cast in this new musical. The only other person in residence is Helsa Wenzel, the maid.

In the tradition of any good mystery such as this, the audience is barely settled into their seats before the first body falls. The slasher is back at work. Also as the characters begin to gather they discover that there is more to the house they are in than meets the eye as they discover secret passages in the old library that will begin to figure prominently as the tale unfolds. Soon there are several missing or dead characters for the audience to keep track of. How long will it continue before the slasher is caught?

There is an end, of course, but to divulge it here would not be in the best interest of those who may elect to visit Rivertown to see the play for themselves. Let's just say that justice does, indeed, triumph but before it is realized there are many laughs along the way and a little romance to add to the interest.

Gary Rucker who has turned into one of the area's fine comic actors is directing the action with a good eye for the comedy but at the same time keeping the mystery of it all intact.

Portraying the mansion's owner and theatre benefactor Elsa von Grossenknueten is Julie Vorus and she delivers a splendid performance in the role.

As the sergeant, Michael Kelly, who has come to her home to try and capture the slasher is O'Neal Isaac and he gives the character a good look with his performance.

Randy Juneau who many of you know teaches at Slidell High. Plays the funny man Eddie McCuen and he is excellent in the role which as it develops becomes a leading character in the story as well as one that becomes romantically involved with the ingenue.

Kelly Fouchi has the role of Nikki Crandall, the aforementioned ingenue and the one who also promises some surprises for the audience later in the action. She does a splendid job with the role and she and Juneau play off one another very well.

Ken De La Maize, the Broadway director gets his look from the work of Mason Wood and he plays it in fine style.

There is also good work from Robert Richardson who portrays the Irishman Patrick O'Reilly in a convincing manner.

The "Divoon, simply divoon" Marjorie Baverstock is portrayed nicely by Angie Joachim, while the effeminate song writer Roger Hopewell gets a solid interpretation from Daniel LaForce although it would be a good idea if the sound man put a damper on the volume of his body mike since he came across extremely loud wherever he spoke.

Morrey McElroy plays the lyricist Bernice Roth to round out the visitors to the audition process.

Completing the cast of players is Leslie Limberg as the maid Helsa Wenzel.

The tale takes place on a set designed by Chad Talkington that is perfect for the telling of the story. The many secret passages work smoothly and on cue and there is the proper look of elegance to the entire stage. Michael J. Brown adds the lighting to enhance it all.

Trish McLain has designed the costuming and the fight choreographer, whose work is seen to great effect and a lot of laughs in the second act when O'Reilly and Helsa get into a confrontation, is Robert Richardson.

"The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" is a fine way to spend an evening and it will continue at the Rivertown theatre in Kenner through March 21. A good way to begin your evening there is to take advantage of the fine buffet catered by Messina's which is available as an option and served in the adjoining building.