Set Sail for Murder

The Sierra Madre Playhouse launches its 2009 season with a terrific comedy-mystery called Murder on the Bounding Main. The action takes place aboard the steamship, Bounding Main, bound for London with an intriguing passenger list. Tom Moss directed this fun outing. David Calhoun designed the shipboard set.

Hint: Sometimes it´s what you don´t say that will get you killed.

Written by Jack Chansler, who also stars as Private Detective Mordecai Pierce, the man asked to solve the murder of Hollywood gossip columnist, Mason Armstrong, a man with enough enemies to sink anybody´s boat. Chansler turns in a great performance as a seasick prone newlywed trying to fathom his new wife and discover who killed Armstrong. Both endeavors prove to be a challenge.

Joanna Houghton turns in a snappy performance as the clever bride, Terry Pierce, Mordecai´s former Gal Friday, who wants to work a few more days of the week doing what she has trained for – to be a detective. This is the 1950´s and opinions may vary, and tempers flare. Terry also has a hidden past that comes to light when another passenger recognizes her. Could her past have any connection with Armstrong´s demise?

Jim Follet plays pompous Hollywood gossip columnist, Mason Armstrong, with biting wit. Armstrong is known for his scathing revelations in the tabloids. He ruins people´s lives for a living. Does he reveal something so scandalous it gets him killed?

Mordecai interviews each suspect and the revelations flow. First is the absentminded widow, Ellen Gibney, hilariously played by the Rosina Pinchot; that is until her real background bobs to the surface.

Next is Armstrong´s steadfast secretary, Bettie Sheffield, ably acted by Terry Savior. Bette has just enough toughness to make you think she could have pulled the plug on her boss, especially when we learn she will takeover the helm of Armstrong´s column now that he has sailed into the great beyond. Is that a motive?

Barry Schwam admirably plays the annoyingly funny shipboard comic, Rudy Tudy, complete with the loud plaid suit and the corny jokes. And if that isn´t a toupee, Rudy needs a different barber. But Rudy has an alibi for the time of the murder. Or does he?

Rudy´s beautiful alibi is torch singer, Bernadette, played voluptuously by Maureen Ganz. But this lady has a secret past. Ganz´s singing voice is delightful, and the words to the songs, also written by Jack Chansler, are a hoot.

Dashing Brian Ames captures the stuffy self-importance of famous Hollywood heartthrob, Cliff Brackett, who was heard threatening Mason Armstrong the same night he was killed. And Ames shot an albatross on deck the same day. Everybody knows that´s bad luck. It sure was for Armstrong.

Then there is Brackett´s constant companion/agent/maybe something else, Alby Watts, played with stalwart brilliance by Richard Leppig, who is so touching as the person willing to be keel-hauled when he confesses to the killing. But did he do it?

Mordecai calls all the suspects into his stateroom in the Third Act to uncover the killer. Are their protestations mere bilge? Does Mordecai have a clue? Does somebody else rise to the challenge and steer the ship away from rocky shoals?

Playwright Jack Chansler mixes historical events from the Hollywood Blacklist Era with some really funny lines and situations and fun characters to create a shipboard Agatha Christie-like pastiche that will rock your boat. And just wait until you see the final stage kiss.

Set sail with the crew at the Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. (626) 355-4318. The play runs through February 21, 2009.

Reservations: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Ticket Pricing: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students under 18, $12 for children under 12.