Review of "Murder at the Witch's Cottage"

From Friday, November 3, issue of the Ada Evening News

ACT II presents suspenseful treat

By Pru Simmons
Guest writer

From the opening scene of ACT II's production of “Murder at the Witch’s Cottage,” it was obvious that the Wednesday night audience was in for a suspenseful and funny treat. The production, written and directed by Stephen Bagley, ran like clockwork from the acting to the sound effects to the special effects.

The clever story centers on a young couple from Oklahoma who inherit a cottage on the East Coast after the previous owner was killed in a bizarre murder. Once they arrive, all sorts of strange and odd people visit, and then the young wife begins to see and hear dead people. Eventually she and the audience don't know who to trust. It all builds to a stunning and surprising climax.

Nancy Postier was delightful as the witch Rowanna Smyte. She had a touch of sadness that let you feel her pain, particularly in her scenes with the young wife, but you could always sense her backbone of iron. Her “duel” with Winifred was exciting and funny.

Brittany Dawn and Robert Shurtleff played the young couple, Brooke and Jake Killian. Shurtleff played his part well, always leaving you in doubt as to his motives. Is he the loving husband or is he something much darker? Dawn was both charming and sweet as she attempted to discover who or what was behind the strange happenings and murders. She brought tears to my eyes more than once as she struggled with the sorrows in her past.

Nancy Cheper swept onto the stage as Winifred Lawton, a too-friendly neighbor. Her “duel” with Rowanna allowed her to show anguish as well as ruthlessness. Cheper delivered a well-rounded and complex character that could have easily been a caricature.

Chuck Perry was wonderful as the kindly Henry Hollows. As the play progresses, his character changed almost before your very eyes. He was totally believable.

Kyra Childers entered as the forthright (in more ways than one) Dora Dawn, a local real estate agent with a too-close connection with a murderer. Childers doesn't seem to know how to misstep in her acting, and she was right on the mark, particularly in a funny scene with the character Martha Hollows.

Eric Collier played the part of Sheriff Witherby. He was authoritative and strong. When he questioned the young couple, I found myself asking the same questions. He also has one of the funniest lines in the production.

And finally Joan Perry was an absolute hoot as Martha Hollows. Apparently this was her first time on stage, but she acted like she owned it. ACT II needs to cast her often.

The script itself is strong with both deeply emotional and funny scenes. Afterward the plot was clear, but I admit to having chosen the wrong person as the murderer. Bagley throws plenty of red herrings our way, but when the murderer is revealed, it makes perfect sense. And the first act curtain scene has to be one of the greatest cliffhangers I've ever seen on stage. You have to see it to believe it.

"Murder at the Witch's Cottage" plays through Sunday at the Norris Center. It's worth your time and money if you enjoy suspense, mystery and comedy.