Review: World-Premier of DEATH BY DESIGN is a hit at Mesquite Arts Theatre!

Death By Design

By Stacey Upton-Bracey

Produced by Mesquite Arts Theatre

Reviewed by Natalie Shaw

I've never been much for scary ghost stories, and I kind of always wondered why anyone would care for them. I'm the same way with riding roller coasters or wild rides at theme parks. The notion of scaring yourself, for fun seems a bit outrageous. Getting your heart pumping, sweat beading and knees shaking, all while evoking unrelenting visions and experiences that will haunt you in your dreams, just seems, well, idiotic. Until. (There's always an "until" when you discover something that turned your perception around.) Until, I saw one onstage. It's no surprise that something onstage would change my mind. Theatre always has a way of turning heads. I grew up in Enid, Oklahoma, where a little place called Gaslight Theater performed a production of The Woman in Black, based on the book by Susan Hills and adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt. Not only is this play scary, it's considered a horror, which should have put me off, immediately. But, being an unobservant high school student, I neglected to read what the play was actually about before I purchased the ticket. (You read that right, I bought just one ticket and went alone to an evening performance... to see a horror play!)  I'm too old now to remember why I bought the ticket, but I believe a friend of mine may have been performing in it, or (more likely) my latest love interest. Nonetheless, there I was, trapped in a dark theater with The Woman in Black! The first time she appeared on the stage, I thought I was going to lose my wits. But, I didn't. And, as the story progressed, I became more and more intrigued with her and her story. Yes, I was still scared, but I began to experience life through her eyes and felt a connection with her, thus developing a relationship of compassion and understanding. I wasn't scared of her. I loved her. And I wanted justice for her. Do I still see images of her in my mind? Of course, I do. Do I still feel frightened by her image and her capabilities as a ghost figure? Of course, I do. But, I know her now and I trust her. I still do not favor fear. But, in storytelling, there's likely a reason why a ghost appears and a message is spoken, beyond the fear that these tales inspire. It may be a message of warning, or tragedy, desperation, even love. But, it's our duty to listen and decipher the message for ourselves. All this to say, I'm not scared of ghosts, anymore (at least not the kind we find in fiction.) But, I still hate roller coasters.  

We needn't be afraid of death found in fiction, either. Death tells the story of life once lived. Murder tells the story of life unjustly taken. Much like The Woman in Black, justice must be sought and found. As produced by Mesquite Arts Theatre, Stacey Upton-Bracey has comprised yet another compelling tale in her newest play, Death By Design. Constructed in classy Murder-Mystery style, Death By Design also uses high and low comedy to weave a beautiful story of family, while simultaneously captivating audiences in a web of conspiracy in this "who-dunn-it" narrative. Zeppelin Hartley plays Abby Spector, a local hiker of the Appalachian Mountains, who stumbles upon a  bed and breakfast cabin, owned by Fern and Wilbur Carter, along her travels during a thunder storm, seeking refuge from the rain.  Fern (played by the adorable Sherry Lou Mills-Holt) and Wilbur (played graciously by Steve Iwakski-Sanchez) are an elderly married couple who have set out on the adventure of hosting the bed and breakfast in their retirement. There's a slight problem, though. The bed and breakfast is haunted by the late Suzanna, who still awaits her soldier's return from the Civil War.  Abby is not the guest they were expecting and are hard-pressed to accommodate her, as they are preparing the home for a large group of people-- a film production team, to be exact. Entering first, as to best make himself known, is the successful actor Demerest Excelsior. played by James Mychael, followed by his assistant Minnie Warren, played by familiar actress, Victoria Wells. Soon behind is the writer of the would-be-film, Chip Bashor (played by the sensational Brian Hokanson,) assistant to the producer, Dodger Wilks (also referred to as "Muscles,") played by the hilarious Preston Wells, and finally, the bossy producer, Lydia Steckler, played by the strikingly talented Stephanie Stark. Desperate for a box-office hit, writer Chip and actor Demerest have convinced the others to attend a weekend away in the Appalachian Mountains for inspiration. To say this group is relishing the time away from city life, would be less than accurate. Upon the realization that the internet and phone service has gone down due to the storm, the group is quickly annoyed and full of complaints. Once the unexpected guest, Abby, is introduced, the group is even more perturbed. Who is this person, and how did she get in? They had booked the entire house for themselves, and she is in their way. And, when their stay turns ugly, following Fern's unexplained injury and the death of the first group member, all fingers immediately point to Abby, and to one another. Who's responsible? It could be anyone among them, or perhaps, Suzanna herself!

Notable performances are given by Brian Hokanson, as the ambitious murder mystery screenwriter with a story to tell, Stephanie Stark as the authoritative producer with high expectations and pushy personality, Preston Wells as her witless, apathetic assistant, and Steve Iwanski-Sanchez as the the tenderhearted nurturer.  Hokanson comes across as integrally protective and practical in his approach to find the killer. Stark makes an intentionally motivated shift from being seemingly in control of her emotions to a more panicked version of herself, upon her character's realization of a killer among them. Wells renders a most fascinating and fabricated speech, which would be accepted as believable based on his delivery, had the tale not been so ridiculously unbelievable. Iwanski-Sanchez produces a concerned and loving grandparent figure, who is charming and full of good humor. Lighting and Sound Designer/Technician, Erika Tate Basham creates an exceptional "dark and stormy night" atmosphere, with occasional ghostly-lit backdrops and flickering lights; heavy and gentle rain as needed with claps of thunder for added suspense. Director Dennis Gullion and Assistant Director Stephanie Lewis provide us with a variety of talent and charisma in this diverse cast of those youthful and wise.

Stacey Upton-Bracey knocks another one out of park with this amazing mystery! Agatha Christie meets Beth Henley with a little bit of Noel Coward-ish humor. You will absolutely LOVE this play and all the indulgence it brings! Find your tickets at mesquiteartstheatre.org.

Audience Rating: PG-13 for mature content

Running Time: 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission

Accessibility: Available

Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available

Hearing Devices: Not Available

Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: Lights abruptly on/off signifying a thunderstorm, claps of thunder, gunshots, fake blood

Y'all Enjoy!

Natalie