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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Done to Death Also see Gil's reviews of Birthday Candles, Hello, Dolly! and Hadestown: Teen Edition
The plot centers on five mystery writers, all past their prime, who are brought together by a TV executive to write the script for a new TV mystery series. The eclectic group includes Whitney and Jessica Olive, a boozy husband-and-wife duo famed for sophisticated mysteries; spy novelist Brad Benedict; Rodney Duckton, an aging writer of gritty detective tales; and the sharp, Agatha Christie-esque Mildred Z. Maxwell, whose novels always have a twist ending. They assemble on a set designed to mimic a drawing room in a Caribbean home called Vulture's Vault, performing in front of a live audience. They've been promised they'll travel to the real Vulture's Vault on a deserted island to complete their work. Once they get there, murders begin to happen, with victims meeting grisly ends through stabbing, shooting, poisoning and electrocution, so the writers abandon their fictional story to solve the real-life mystery and, above all else, stay alive. Written by Fred Carmichael, the play clearly draws inspiration from Agatha Christie, especially her classic mystery, "And Then There Were None." However, it's more of a humorous parody of murder mystery clichés than a serious crime drama like Christie's novels and plays. The play also often blurs the line between fantasy and reality, creating moments of confusion where it's uncertain if a scene is genuinely happening or just a fantasy reenactment from one of the five writer's minds. It also veers into its own territory by frequently breaking the fourth wall, with characters engaging directly with the audience who serve as the TV show's studio audience. Carmichael doesn't seem focused on crafting a believable plot structure. Instead, he uses mystery clichés for comedic purposes, with varying success. Interestingly, one of the script's highlights is that, despite being talented writers, the characters struggle to solve the crimes unfolding right before them. It turns out that figuring out whodunit isn't so easy when you haven't written the ending yourself. Abeth Spencer and Matthew R. Harris shine as the Olives. They lean into their glamorous, cocktail-loving characters who resemble Nick and Nora Charles from The Thin Man film series, and they both are spot on with their English accents, embellished line delivery, and sharp comic timing which creates lovable characters. As Mildred Z. Maxwell, Barbara McBain is equally good, presenting a character who is an opinionated busy body but also with endearing qualities, which makes her an audience favorite. In smaller roles, Adam Petzold and Brandon Erickson-Moen add several fun moments as the two other mystery writers, Rodney Duckton and Brad Benedict, who have conflicting writing styles and often find themselves at odds with each other and the rest of the writers. Jacob Shore, Jori Beth, Nic Morrow, and Marissa J. P. Avery round out the cast in small but pivotal roles. Director Van Rockwell does a wonderful job in bringing Carmichael's kooky script to life. His talented cast breathe life into their lovable characters and they all appear to be having a ball with the fact that each one of their characters has the chance to solve the crime, be the murderer, or be murdered. While the moments when the writers take turns putting their own imaginative spin on what could have happened with the murders are sometimes convoluted, they do provide much of the humor, and Rockwell and his cast are great in making these moments shine. The highlight of these scenes is a well-acted sequence in which Harris mockingly impersonates Petzold's iconic detective, the grizzled and hard-nosed Jack Club. Rockwell and the cast also don't let the many mystery clichés in the script weigh the production down. There is also a fun bit at the end that ties into the frozen mints that Don Bluth audiences always receive at intermission of their shows that puts a nice coda on a fun evening. Cheryl Schaar's set and props immerse the production in classic murder mystery style as do Heather Riddle's period and character appropriate costumes and Harris' realistic wig and hair designs. The lighting by Rockwell, Don Bluth, and Bret Reese creates evocative stage images, and Rockwell and Roger McKay's sound design adds a nice themed underscore. Done to Death may not be a perfect murder mystery comedy but it is a fun parody of some of the works of several of the most famous mystery writers, including Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett, and Ian Fleming, as well the literary characters Nick and Nora Charles. With a cast more than up to the challenge to play their lovable characters to the hilt, Don Bluth Front Row Theatre's production is a crowd pleaser full of wit, humor, and plenty of twists and turns. Done to Death runs through February 21, 2025, at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, 8989 E. Vía Linda #118, Scottsdale AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com or call 480-314-0841. Directed by Van Rockwell Cast: |
