Barker’s “Murder” is Pure Fun

Director Alfred Hitchcock once said he enjoyed playing the audience like a piano. That quote came to mind while watching the Players’ new production of A Murder Is Announced. Based on an Agatha Christie potboiler, this twisty thriller toys with the audience like a finely tuned musical instrument.

Letitia Blacklock (Becky Minard) is shocked when she reads the local newspaper and sees the announcement of a murder that is set to happen at her home. Her house guests all gather together and wonder who will be murdered. Is it all a sick joke or is there a killer out there, waiting to strike? The lights go out and a gun is fired.

There is a dead man on the floor – Rudi Scherz — the same man who had been hounding Letitia for money. Letitia also has sustained a wound to her ear. Inspector Craddock (Andrew Stigler), a gruff detective, and his very odd colleague Sergeant Mellors (Tom Lavallee) arrive on the scene and question Letitia. Who would want to kill her? Was Rudi’s death an accident?

There is a long list of suspects, including Letitia’s relatives Patrick (Michael Puppi), Julia (Jennifer Michaels), and Phillipa (Kristin McGuirk), her friend “Bunny”(Amanda O’Bannon), Mrs. Swettenham (Angie Margiotta) and her son Edmund (Michael Pugliese), as well as an elderly female detective, Miss Marple (Carol Varden).

The plot thickens. It turns out Letitia stands to inherit a lot of money from a former employer whose wife is dying. And then there are the long-lost children Pip and Emma, whose whereabouts are unknown.

Suffice to say, not everything is as it seems.  I will reveal no more. The fun of a show like this is to wait for all the secrets to be unraveled. And boy, are there secrets!

A Murder Is Announced has plenty of mystery and suspense, along with a lot of humor. Paula Faber, who has appeared in many productions at 2nd Story Theatre, is a scene-stealing delight as Letitia’s long-suffering maid Mitzi. Sporting a zany accent and a lot of attitude, Faber generated a lot of laughs. Varden was utterly charming as the highly intelligent Marple, who proves to be more effective at gathering clues than Craddock. Minard was also convincing as Letitia, who maintains her composure as mayhem  erupts all around.

Director Vince Petronio, who has also acted in dozens of shows, has succeeded in guiding this story and group of colorful characters through one outrageous twist after another.

Runs through March 13. Barker Playhouse. 400 Benefit St, Providence. 401-273-0590.