In partnership with Montgomery Playhouse, Arts on the Green presents Postmortem, a thrilling mystery by Ken Ludwig.
Unravelling the relationships between cast members on holiday in a whodunit within a murder mystery is a dizzying feat until the lights finally dim. Real life actors playing the fictional roles of real life celebrities post-World War I is just one of the layers, a complex task for Director Loretto McNally to project to her actors.
Dell Pendergrast delivers a robust William Gillette (the long time historical collaborator with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Together they wrote the stage production of Sherlock Holmes). Gillette’s reputation as a ladies man is on full display fending off various female cast members of the production they are currently performing. Competition for Gillette’s attention between ingénue May Dison, played by Gemma Davimes, and actor-come-spiritual medium Louise Parradine, played by Sydney Ouellette, is relentless, twisted, and just a bit suspicious.
Supporting actors Kyle Tirek (Bobby Carlyle) and Art Salwin (Leo Barrett) are dutiful dupes to the object of their respective affections May Dison and Marion Barrett, performed by Nora Zanger. Whenever Aunt Lilly Warner (Carole Preston) appears to dote on Gillette the stage comes alive and audience concentration on the perceived facts is artfully derailed momentarily. All of this leads to a final scene which must be witnessed to be believed. Seriously – stay to the very end ….
David Jones designed and built an impeccable set which surrounds the cast with tangible elegance of wealth and elegance. Coupled with Steve Deming’s perfectly coordinated lighting, and Bruce Hirsch’s seamless sound design and special effects, the audience is transported back in time to the Roaring Twenties.
Running Time: Approximately two hours, including a 15-minute intermission.
Postmortem plays through November 20, 2016, at The Montgomery Playhouse performing at The Arts Barn – 311 Kent Square Road, in Gaithersburg, MD. For tickets, call the box office at (301) 258-6394, or purchase them online. The show is recommended for ages 15 and older.
LINKS:
Meet the cast of ‘Postmortem’ at Montgomery Playhouse, Part 1: Gemma Davimes.
Meet the Cast of ‘Postmortem’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 2: Dell Pendergrast.
Meet the cast of ‘Postmortem’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 3: Sydney Ouellette.
Meet the Cast of ‘Postmortem’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 4: Carole Preston.
RATING: 
