On Theater: ‘Murder for Two’ is a wacky ride
The best way to enjoy “Murder for Two,” the latest production at the Laguna Playhouse, is to avoid attempting to mentally solve the crime by using the evidence presented and instead just sit back and watch the killer instincts of two exceptional young actors at the top of their game.
The script, by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair, consists of mere guideposts in this frenetic musical comedy in which its two performers enact all of the characters while taking turns at the piano. The pure velocity of the performance is hilariously impressive.
Actually, only one of the actors (Kyle Branzel) plays multiple roles, eschewing the time-consuming bother of costume changes. The other (Ian Lowe) portrays the almost-detective (a running gag) on the killer’s trail. Both are highly skilled at the piano keyboard.
Branzel performs as though he were shot out of a cannon. He switches identities in a flash, playing both male and female characters with just a wry twist of his face and tone of his voice. Since no costumes are employed, Branzel must establish each character with vocal inflections and body language, which he does with outlandish dexterity.
Since one of his characters is a ballerina, Branzel is given the opportunity to display his dancing capability, shooting one leg high in the air on occasion. It’s just one in a plethora of instant characterizations in this amazing actor’s repertoire.
Lowe, on the other hand, plays it fairly straight as the investigating police officer yearning for a promotion to the rank of detective. On occasion, he fights the urge to crack up at Branzel’s antics — playing sort of a Harvey Korman to his partner’s Tim Conway — suggesting either that Branzel is ad-libbing or that this bit also is part of the comic schtick.
Director Scott Schwartz keeps the show running to a fervent tempo, fully aware that the faster his actors work, the less time for audiences to ponder the script’s deficiencies. It’s a method used resoundingly well by Stanley Kramer in “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” and by Peter Bogdanovich in “What’s Up, Doc?” and “Noises Off.”
This style works quite well, for the most part, in this 90-minute frantic farce, though the piano duet following the initial curtain call is a bit of redundancy that could be easily eliminated.
One word of warning: If you’re female and seated in the front row, you may become part of the show in one brief but quite effective segment. Don’t worry; you won’t have any dialogue.
Musical director David Caldwell adheres to the fast and furious tempo. The music hall setting by Beowulf Boritt provides a splendid backdrop, as does Jason Lyons’ lighting. Sound designer Jill BC Du Boff throws in some surprising offstage effects such as a cat’s meow when something is thrown in its direction.
“Murder tor Two” may not be the most convincing of mystery plays, but the outrageous antics of its two-performer cast will more than compensate for any literary laxity. It’s a wild and wacky roller coaster ride at the Laguna Playhouse.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: “Murder for Two”
WHERE: Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays until May 17
COST: $41 to $66
CALL: (949) 497-2787 or lagunaplayhouse.com
