RCP MOUNTS A LIVELY WHODUNIT WITH 'PLAY DEAD' (THEATER REVIEW)

Two pieces of advice may enrich the experience of audiences attending "Play Dead," the River City Players production opening tonight.

Pay attention to everything and ask lots of questions.

This lively production deserves a lively audience.

"Play Dead" is a whodunit inside a whodunit in which the audience is no passive participant. Everything anyone might have seen and heard could help solve the murder.

The dinner theater presentation opens tonight at the River City Yacht Club, with doors opening at 6:30 and the play beginning at 8. Other dinner theater dates are Saturday, May 5, 6, 12 and 13. Show-only dates are May 4 and 11. Reservations can be made by phoning the Yacht Club at 334-0954.

The play opens in a drawing room where Lord Mountebank has been killed, but soon enough the audience is involved in trying to solve a real crime. Very little of the subsequent action actually occurs onstage.

Most of the people in "Play Dead" have two roles to play that of their stage character and that of the actor or actress playing the role. If this sounds confusing, it could be if Dan Finch weren't so good at keeping everyone straight.

The Finch family has a big role in the success of this production. Dan plays Parson Short, who attempts to sleuth out the murder by interrogating cast and audience members. Finch, an attorney, expertly moves about the room spouting leading questions that keep everyone guessing.

Sally Finch, his wife, was supposed to serve as the production's second assistant director but took on a major role when an actress had to drop out. Finch is forcefully convincing as the slain man's distraught spouse.

The cast includes a number of actors and actresses who, like Sally Finch, are appearing onstage for the first time. They include Lori Wenskay as Bambi the exotic dancer, Aaron Allen as Lord Mountebank/Dr. Bob Farley, Joe Hartley as the dashing Hugh Pembroke and Sandy Quigley as an intimate acquaintance of the deceased. All give nicely assured performances.

The talent of RCP veterans and prime suspects David Hopper and LeAnne Statler makes it easier for the newcomers.

Another husband and wife team, Randy and Debbie Barnhouse, have appeared in only a few RCP productions but already are counted on to deliver. Both were good in the recent "Bus Stop" and hit just the right notes as the nasty theater critic Ambrose Simon and maid Martha Iggins, respectively.

Other fine performances are by high school student Champ Friend as the butler and Kathy Panagos as Pembroke's wife.

Charlie Kent, Kristopher Neager and Joe Hartley have concocted a nifty drawing room set.

Chuck Ross is the assistant director, with Suzanne Scherer and Gayle Friedrich serving as stage managers. Lloyd Williams, Lori Wenskay and Mustapha Stokely are the lighting technicians.

Director Stacy Storey found this murder mystery by William Carl Seward and Barbara Stopp Vance on an Internet site. In her directorial debut, Storey has done a wonderful job of holding the center while questions, responses and action erupt from all corners of the room.

You will leave "Play Dead" entertained.

Sam Blackwell may be reached at 335-6611 ext. 182 or by e-mail at sblackwell@semissourian.com.