What better way to celebrate a New Year's Eve then to have the perfect murder? That is exactly what the characters in Bob Barry's Murder Among Friends have done. In fact their plans are exactly alike down to every detail as wife plans hubby's demise and he hers.
The play is just plain fun. It helps that director Mark Loveless cast Debbie David and Frank Remiatte as the not-so-loving couple. Palmer is an aging actor well impressed with his acting talent, and Angela is anything but the angel her name implies. Palmer's agent, Ted (William Parker Shore), has only one thing on his mind and that is how he will benefit from any heinous crime he might just possibly be involved in.
Marshall and Girt (Charles Lekus and Kate Hewitt), friends of Angela and Palmer, become drawn into this bizarre tale of murder, fatal errors and truth twisting. Watch with great care; just trying to figure out who murdered whom will amuse you.
Finally there is this actor, or is he a hired killer, or is he a con man, or is he a ? Is his name Vito or is it Jessup? We for sure know that the actor's name is Desmond Hassing or is it? Could the actor be a killer, a lover, a friend? Will we ever know?
Next in this totally twisted tale is the question of romance. Does filthy rich Angela actually love husband Palmer? What is her relationship with Ted? What is her relationship with Vito/Jessup? Does egomaniac Palmer really love anybody but himself? Could he still love his wife? Could he have strong feelings for his agent?
I hope I've totally confused you. If so, I'm keeping in the spirit of Barry's humorous script.
Sabato Fiorello and Joel Colbourn have created a believable New York apartment. Through the windows is the skyline of the city. Sound and lighting designers Jim Caputo and Jeff Guthrie add to the feel of NYC. Costumers Donna Reed and Marina Piccioni provide a balanced wardrobe including a character-defining costume for Hassing.
Murder Among Friends is one of those plays that has absolutely no socially redeeming qualities except to provide a enjoyable, laugh-filled evening's entertainment. That, in itself, is reason enough to sit back and watch this mild insanity unfold.
