By Marilyn Jozwik
Agatha Christie’s mysteries are well-known for gathering murder suspects together for the final scene as the skillful detective expertly interrogates them.
In “Rehearsal for Murder,” Sunset Playhouse’s clever, stylish and totally engaging murder mystery, we see a similar scenario. The show was adapted for the stage by DD Brooke from the television play by Richard Levinson and William Link. Carol Dolphin directs.
But this play has a clever twist to the suspect interrogation that even Agatha Christie would applaud.
The cast of Sunset Playhouse’s “Rehearsal for Murder” includes, seated, from left, Antoinette Stikl, DJ Slater, Kristin Leong, Alicia Rice, Jason Peregoy, William Molitor, Jacob R Regenfelder, Tyler Peters and Brigid O’Brien. Standing, from left, Justice A.L. Velez, Jim Feeley, Ashley Hammarstrom and Scott Laurent.
The play takes place in 1935 at a Broadway theater. Playwright Alex Dennison (Jason Peregoy) is getting ready for a reading of his new play. It is one year since the tragic death of his fiancée Monica (Alicia Rice), who died on opening night of another play Dennison had written. Monica was the star of the show. The story goes back to that night and what transpired before and after the play, which didn’t get the best reviews. Did Monica leap from the balcony in despair after her guests had left her post-show party? Dennison doesn’t think so. But how can he prove it?
One year later, as he gathers all the cast from that fateful night to read his new play, he hopes to find some answers.
What I love about this show is the movements of the characters; natural movements, which gives dialogue-heavy scenes a sense of lightness. Director Dolphin works her magic here and the performers respond beautifully, giving top-notch performances all around in this taut mystery. Given the theatrical backdrop of the show, performances are especially animated. Everyone is on their A-game as characters sort through the events leading to the death of Monica.
Alex Dennison (Jason Peregoy) discusses the opening night of his play with the director (William Molitor) and producer (Antoinette Stikl) at his leading lady’s New York high-rise apartment in a scene from Sunset Playhouse’s “Rehearsal for Murder.”
Peregoy as Dennison is perfectly charming, a little arrogant – but not so much to be off-putting. The role of Dennison is demanding, with mountains of dialogue, and Peregoy is more than up for the challenge. He guides his character through tender scenes with Monica, tense interactions with the cast, confrontations with the director and producer, and some dramatics involving gun play in the final moments.
Rice as Monica is a fitting diva. I loved the pre-show opening night scene as Monica flits about nervously and drapes herself all over Dennison, who came to see his play and its star, who happens to be his fianceé.
In a small, but memorable role, Kristin Leong as Dennison’s assistant, Sally, is absolutely delightful. This is a role that could have faded into the background. Instead, Leong’s Sally is a standout, a bundle of energy scurrying about to please her boss. She is totally awestruck as being part of the theater, even in a small way.
Every character is well-cast, putting every role in good hands. William Molitor as the director, Antoinette Stikl as the producer and Brigid O’Brien, Tyler Peterson and DJ Slater as performers in Dennison’s show, all give distinctive performances.
Even Jim Feeley as the maintenance man has some wonderful, natural exchanges with Dennison.
Putting the icing on this theatrical cake is a terrific performance by Jacob R. Regenfelder, whose character appears in the final scenes to bring the show to a dramatic and unexpected conclusion.
The show also uses some creative staging to bring the scenes nicely into focus. In the early part of show, with Dennison narrating, we see the curtain call from opening night a year earlier projected on a screen in back of the stage. In the opening night party scene, a New York skyline and balcony appear on the big screen, helping to create just the right mood.
There are no perceptible set changes, making this show run seamlessly, and at a quick pace.
If you’re in the mood for a whodunit that’ll keep you entertained and guessing until the end, it’s no mystery that you’ll enjoy Sunset’s “Rehearsal for Murder.”
If you go:
Who: Sunset Playhouse
What: “Rehearsal for Murder”
When: Through June 16
Where: 700 Wall St., Elm Grove
Tickets/Info: 262-782-4430