(Caveat: Several weeks ago I underwent rotator cuff surgery, and my right shoulder, arm and hand have been immobilized in a sling until very recently. I just began several months of post-op physical therapy. I had been severely hampered in my ability to type, so several worthy shows that I have seen recently have not been reviewed in a timely manner. Beginning with today, I will work to clear up the backlog. Please be aware that my reviews may be more limited than usual until I am up to date. Several excellent shows are no longer playing, but I will highlight them, offering the assurance that when it comes time to submit my suggestions for nominations for the2016 IRNE Awards, these shows and the people involved with them, will receive the consideration they deserve. Thank you for your understanding and support.)
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If you are a fan of classic murder mysteries and film noir, then I think you will enjoy the current Stoneham Theatre production of "Laura" as much as I did. The play was written by George Sklar and Vera Caspary and is crisply directed by the talented Sarah Gazdowicz. James Tolman's design of Laura's New York City apartment sets just the right tone, as does Lighting by Deb Sullivan, Costumes by Erica Desautels and Sound by Chris Larson.
Laura (a sultry femme fatale as portrayed by the vivacious Jasmine Rush) has been murdered - or has she? And everyone involved in her life is a suspect - her boyfriend, the suave Shelby Carpenter (Alex Molina returning to Boston after a triumph in last year's Company One production of "Colossal"), the maid, Bessie (Molly Kimmerling is so good in this role that she almost steals the show!), Laura's mentor and confidant, Waldo Lydecker (an excellent Steven Barkimer), even young Danny (Eliott Purcell is wonderfully awkward and pubescent in this role), the downstairs neighbor who shares Laura's love for music, and perhaps even Danny's mother, Mrs. Dorgan (Liana Asim) who disapproves of his upstairs visits with Laura.
Along comes world weary detective, Mark McPherson (perfectly portrayed by Alexander Cook) to sort it all out. Except he inevitably is struck by the beauty of the portrait of Laura that dominates her living room. He becomes obsessed with Laura, which complicates his investigation and his life. I will not give away any secrets, but a cane is not always just a cane, and a corpse cannot not always be correctly identified the first time around.
There is wonderful intrigue and much fun as the stylized script moves us through a school of red herring large enough to feed several hungry Legal Seafood diners.
The play will run through May 22nd, and is well worth checking out. Can you figure out who done it?
Laura (a sultry femme fatale as portrayed by the vivacious Jasmine Rush) has been murdered - or has she? And everyone involved in her life is a suspect - her boyfriend, the suave Shelby Carpenter (Alex Molina returning to Boston after a triumph in last year's Company One production of "Colossal"), the maid, Bessie (Molly Kimmerling is so good in this role that she almost steals the show!), Laura's mentor and confidant, Waldo Lydecker (an excellent Steven Barkimer), even young Danny (Eliott Purcell is wonderfully awkward and pubescent in this role), the downstairs neighbor who shares Laura's love for music, and perhaps even Danny's mother, Mrs. Dorgan (Liana Asim) who disapproves of his upstairs visits with Laura.
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| Jasmine Rush as Laura Alexander Cook as Detective McPherson "Laura" Stoneham Theatre Through May 22nd Nile Hawver/Nile Scott Shots |
Along comes world weary detective, Mark McPherson (perfectly portrayed by Alexander Cook) to sort it all out. Except he inevitably is struck by the beauty of the portrait of Laura that dominates her living room. He becomes obsessed with Laura, which complicates his investigation and his life. I will not give away any secrets, but a cane is not always just a cane, and a corpse cannot not always be correctly identified the first time around.
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Alexander Cook as Detective McPherson
Molly Kimmerling as Bessie
Steven Barkhimer as Waldo
"Laura"
Stoneham Theatre
Through May 22nd
Nile Hawver/Nile Scott Shots
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There is wonderful intrigue and much fun as the stylized script moves us through a school of red herring large enough to feed several hungry Legal Seafood diners.
The play will run through May 22nd, and is well worth checking out. Can you figure out who done it?
Stoneham Theatre Website
Enjoy!
Al
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