Unlike the opera, where nearly everyone dies at the end, Pegasus Theater's trademark "Black & White" murder mysteries have many people getting bumped off early on but leaving enough suspects behind. And in true whodunit fashion, everyone has a motive.
Pegasus, now in its 17th season, is currently presenting its 12th annual B & W whodunit, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder written by co- founder/artistic director Kurt Kleinmann, who also stars as aspiring actor turned detective, Harry Hunsacker. He is assisted by his "good friend and paid-by-the-hour assistant Nigel Grouse (Tim Honnoll)." Nigel has a full-time job making the bumbling Harry appear credible. The opening credits and beginning sequence are filmed in the grainy B & W style of the 1930s film noir and carry over into the sets, costumes, props and make-up -- all in glorious shades of black and grey.
The play opens on December 24, 1938 in the fictitious Grayson and Wayne's Department Store as the audience witnesses, on film, the murder of the store Santa, the third one this season to meet that fate. When the curtain rises, we meet Lt. Foster of the police force, played flawlessly by A. Raymond Banda, a shorter version of vintage Jackie Gleason at his best. But who is the culprit? Could it be Elwood (Nathan McCoy) the mild-mannered but highly-agitated and put-upon gift-wrapping clerk? Or perhaps the flirtatious store owner Eve Grayson, enacted with superb flair by Lulu Ward? And we can't rule out those who are hired to uphold the law.
But you don't go to Pegasus Theater's B & W murder mysteries for their plot lines; you go for the flamboyant theatrical effects which abound in every moment, from the opening film sequence through the stylized curtain call. In It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder, the medium is the message. All these effects are enhanced by the creative lighting design of Sam Nance. The acting is excellent throughout as each cast member nails his/her role to perfection.
The smooth flow of this ensemble cast is aided by Jim Cox's delightful monochromatic set, Kurt Kleinmann's sound design and high-camp script, Spencer Prokop's deft direction, and Ashley Steele's costumes. The actors do their own make-up, which they keep a closely guarded secret.
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder is a must-see for anyone willing to suspend belief about the murder mystery genre.
