Jonathan Heras and Rhonda Hallquist in Live Theatre Workshopโs โDeath by Design.โ
A combination of Noel Coward and Agatha Christie โ who wouldnโt love that?
That is how Live Theatre Workshopโs โDeath by Designโ is touted.
The Rob Urbinati play, which opens in previews Thursday, Oct. 11, is, natch, a murder mystery โ thatโs the Christie part. And funny, hence the Coward reference.
The setup: It is the early 1930s. The Edwards โ he a playwright, she an actress โ are desperate to get as far away as possible after the very bad opening of a play.
So they escape to an English country manor, where the peace and quiet they long for is not to be found. Among the unexpected guests are a passionate socialist, an ultra-conservative politician, an oddball dancer and a sweet ingรฉnue with poor eyesight. Wouldntchaknowit, they each have a secret.
And one of them is murdered.
Who to solve this but the Irish maid with a too-intense-interest in homicide.
The Houston Press said the play โmerges wit, sophistication and even pratfalls into a medley of humor and fun.โ
We expect laughs to roll, especially with such fine comedic actors as Rhonda Hallquist as the murder-loving Bridgit, and Missie Scheffman as the actress escaping a disaster of a play. But they wonโt be the only ones on stage who have made us laugh before. Jonathan Heras, Christopher Moseley, Michael Woodson, Tyler West, Roxanne Harley and Emily Gates have all shown theyโve got fine comedic chops. Roberto Guajardo directs.
Previews are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12; opening is 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13. Regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 17. There’s an additional matinee at 3 p.m. Nov. 11. Previews and Thursday performances are $15; $20 for all others. 327-4242 or livetheatreworkshop.org
