SOMETHING’S AFOOT

A Murder Mystery Musical Comedy

Book, Music & Lyrics by James McDonald, David Vos, and Robert Gerlach

Additional Music by Ed Linderman

Directed by Carol M. Rice with Musical Direction by Jared Duncan

Produced by Allen Contemporary Theatre

Reviewed by Glynda Welch

Something’s Afoot is a very funny musical homage to Agatha Christie, staged delightfully by Allen Contemporary Theatre. One by one the guests arrive for a weekend stay at the country estate of Lord Rancour, get marooned on the island, and start dropping like flies. Who’s the murderer? Well, suspects are eliminated as they are eliminated. This production is a feast for the eyes that starts before the curtain goes up and continues throughout the evening. Director Carol Rice has again assembled a talented ensemble of actors and designers. Kudos!

The saucy maid Lettie, played vivaciously by Jennifer Goebel; the handyman Flint, played lecherously by Logan Gaconnier; and the butler Clive, played imperiously by Lars Holmes make up the household staff at the 1935 country estate. Set Designer Scott Rice, a Baylor University interior design major, makes an impressive set design debut in creating this beautiful estate decorated in jewel tones accented with rich woods.

Lovely ingénue Hope Langdon (Karina Barrett), Dr. Grayburn (Bobby W. Hancock), and Nigel Rancour (Christian R. Black) are the first guests to arrive. Barrett’s Hope is blonde in every sense of the word. Having never met Lord Rancour, Hope has no idea why she’s been invited, but she can’t stop bubbling over with joy, both in word and song. Personal physician to Lord Rancour, Hancock’s Dr. Grayburn is professional but obviously comfortable in the manor. Christian R. Black (Nigel) is a delightfully roguish nephew of Lord Rancour, hoping he is also the legal heir. Keep your eyes on Black when he’s onstage.

Next to arrive are the pretentious and hungry Lady Grace Manley-Prowe, played by Deborah Deverich; the gullible and slightly inept Colonel Gillweather, played by David Colville; and the bohemian artist/amateur sleuth Miss Tweed, played by Janie Breor. The final, and only uninvited guest, to arrive is Geoffrey, played by Aidan Fenton. Geoffrey’s rowing team has met with an accident and stranded him on the island, or has it? We don’t ever actually see the host, Lord Rancour, but we do hear his voice. Eddy Herring, also listed as producer for this ACT production, provides the voice of Lord Rancour.

Nearly a dozen musical numbers led by Music Director Jared Duncan help move the story along. Most are embedded with choreography by Matthew Edwards. A few personal favorites include “The Man with the Ginger Moustache,” (Deverich & Colville); “Suspicious,” (Company); “The Dinghy Song,” (Gaconnier & Goebel); and “I Owe it All,” (Breor, Barrett, Fenton).

Alison Kingwell’s costumes add visual delight and give us valuable information about the characters. Something’s Afoot was adroitly stage managed by Katy Hill. Other designers credited include: Jason Rice, Sound Design; Bill Walsh, Master Builder; John Farmer & Ken Nelson, Build Crew; Sara Jones, Props; Kenneth Hall, Lighting Design & Board Operator; and Jeff Black, Live Sound Operator.

Something’s Afoot continues at Allen Contemporary Theatre through May 21, 2023. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 and Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets may be purchased online at AllenContemporaryTheatre.net. Don’t miss this fun production.

Audience Rating: PG

Accessible Seating: Available

Hearing Devices: Not Available

Sensory Friendly Performance: Not available

Production Sound Level: Comfortable Sound Level

Noises or Visuals to Prepare for: 2 explosions, gunshot, strobe effects

Running Time: 2 hours including 15 minute intermission

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Glynda Welch