AISLE SAY Florida

A MURDER, A MYSTERY & A MARRIAGE

Book and Lyrics by Aaron Posner
Music by James Sugg
based on a short story by Mark Twain
Directed by Pamela Hunt
Florida Studio Theatre, Keating Mainstage
1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-9000, To Nov. 2, 2008

Reviewed by Marie J. Kilker

Doggone, if I ever did hear so many in the crowd split beween loving ÔnÔ couldnÕt care a hoot Ôbout a tall tale following an intro by a just fine four-man band, like a LiÕl Ole Opry, and right on stage too.  (Mostly, Ôcept for ballads, they play bluegrass. Sure does fit the settinÕ with woodsy General Store tÕone side, GraysÕ cabin tÕother though, tell you the truth, it conjures country-western more Ôn outstate Missouri.)
 
Deer CreekÕs got a problem! Hugh  Gregory (Aaron Young, one handsome, clear-voiced blond with mighty innocent ways) and Mary Gray (wide-eyed, sweet singer Jiliian Louis) want to wed. But Hugh (rhymes funny with you, true, anÕ a whole lotta other words in lyrics same as regular talk) isnÕt well off, and MaryÕs daddy (ornery Trip Plymale, on vocals provinÕ worthy of his Diamonds fame) insists on a son-in-law to break ÒThe Curse of John Gray.Ó  ThatÕs beinÕ on the poor side, not like brother David Gray (Billy Vitelli, squinty-villainous). When heÕs mysteriously killed, MaryÕs willed his fortune, just soÕs she weds anyone but Hugh.  John GrayÕs all fer other suitors to come a-courtinÕ.  
Enter a Stranger (slippery, dark NickÑas in Òfull of the oleÓÑSanta Maria), accentinÕ his real smooth speakinÕ in tongues, all Romance and piled with accents, to boot. Seems awful  good to John and, early on (though she gits suspicious later), even his wife Sally (sparky Joyce Nolen). Looks like ÒIll Fated LoveÓ for the young Ôuns, specially when HughÕs convicted of murder Ôcause the weapon was his. HeÕs all but fallinÕ from the gallows, while the preacher (Andy Paterson, downright handy with a guitar and as good a narrator as youÕd want, too) is tryingÑlong, hard, funny--to get Mary to say ÒI doÓ to the Stranger. Well, I dasnÕt ruin the ending fer you, Ôcept  to say the Stranger  may not come clean Ôbout ÒDirty DeedsÓ but Sheriff Thwacker (Vitelli, turned into a good guy) sweeps him away. You gotta guess Ôbout the Marriage takinÕ place.
 
ThereÕs a liÕl bitta everÕthing you either love or not: corny jokes, some audience participation, dancinÕ from square to clogginÕ (thanks to Choreographer Stephen Hope), musical numbers easy to listen to but jest as easy to ferget  (no faultinÕ Music Director David Nelson ÔnÔ other music-makers Irving Goldberg, Jens Kramer, Alan Satkowski). Scenic Designer Nayna RameyÕs real clever fittinÕ in a scaffold but makes you wonder why the GraysÕd sleep out on their front stoop Ôstead of in their cabin. No doubt Ôbout MartyVreelandÕs true lights, though. Costumer Marcella Beckwith shows off 1876 clothes well-lived in, while her caped StrangerÕs extra-fancy, vested black suitÕs a dilly. Production Stage Manager is Dean Curosmith for the 1 hour, 45 minute show, with 12 minute intermission.
 
As a man in the seat next to me summed things up: ÒCoulda been better, coulda been a lot worse.Ó IÕd say for sure Director Pamela HuntÕs  brought out the better.      

Return to Home Page