Laughter & Murder at the Sierra Madre Playhouse

--- Theater Review

The Sierra Madre Playhouse christened their 2009 season with the launch of "Murder on the Bounding Main" a delightful, laugh-a-minute comedy-mystery written by actor/playwright, Jack Chansler.

In true Agatha Christie style, the play contains a puzzling murder; a list of likely suspects trapped in an inescapable setting; a detective – in this case, one with less than stellar deductive skills (think Hercule Poirot meets Inspector Clouseau); and a denouement in which the killer is revealed.

But beyond those intriguing mystery elements, Chansler´s play is just plain fun. He´s written "a cargo load" of one-liners that has the audience chuckling, guffawing, and laughing aloud almost from the opening scene.

The amiable Detective Mordecai Pierce (played by Chansler himself) and his new bride (Joanna Houghton) are honeymooning aboard the Bounding Main, desiring nothing more than to be "left alone." But two things interrupt their romantic plans – the murder, and an annoying bout of ´mal de mer.´ Even Captain Mallinson´s famous seasick pills do little to stop the detective´s mad rushes to the toilet.

So when the captain (Richard Large) asks Pierce to assist in the murder investigation, the queasy detective is less than enthusiastic. But when his clever wife (previously his assistant) says she will do it, his ego won´t let her try.

The play takes place almost entirely in their stator room where Pierce questions the suspects and reviews the clues while his wife takes notes…and draws her own conclusions.

The victim is Mason Armstrong (Jim Follet), a mean-spirited gossip columnist whose scathing remarks have enraged more than one passenger aboard the Bounding Main.

His body is found on the upper deck by Mrs. Gibney (Rosina Pinchot) an elderly widow with a "pink" past who claims Armstrong whispered, "Ca…ca…" before dying. The detective has no clue what that means, but his wife may have an idea.

Terry Savior plays Bettie Sheffield, Armstrong´s sharp-tongued secretary. Just how much did she covet his job?

Witnesses saw the handsome film star (Brian Ames) attack the columnist for his inflammatory remarks; his manager (Richard Leppig) hated Armstrong for refusing to promote the actor´s new film, "Calling London."

Barry Schwam plays the stand-up comedian, called Rudy Tudy. He was jealous when the columnist raved about the ship´s sexy soloist but failed to mention him.

And why would the said singer (the richly voiced Maureen Ganz, whose throaty torch song got appreciative applause from the audience) lie about her whereabouts on the night of the murder?

And...what about those seasick pills the captain pushes?

Only the cleverest mystery buff will guess the real killer, but everyone will be entertained. And don´t assume the killer´s confession is the end of the story. What you learn later will tickle your funny bone and send you home laughing.

"Murder on the Bounding Main" plays Friday & Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:30 pm, through February 21, 2009.

General admission is $20, seniors and students: $17, children: $12. Call: (626) 256-3809 for reservations.

Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA 91024