Have you been missing visits to your local professional theaters as much as I have?
As the pandemic shutdown is now in its second year, theaters across the country are both hopeful that reopening day is not far off, yet fearful their very existence may be in jeopardy before that much-anticipated. For some theaters, this has meant going totally dark and off the radar until it’s safe to invite guests back into their facilities; companies such as Theatre Nova, Open Book Theatre and a handful of others, however, have embraced 21st-century technology and created occasional video and zoom productions to stay connected to their patrons.
And while watching plays on a TV or computer screen isn’t as intimate or as fun as sitting mere feet away from live actors in a darkened theater, tough times require innovation – but what does that means for the industry once the world returns to some semblance of normal? Unfortunately, we won’t know for some time to come. Will the habits of former patrons be changed to the extent that video will now be their preferred entertainment medium? Will customers be slow to return – if at all? Will a mix of live and recorded entertainment packages be the new “thing” for industry producers in the years and seasons to come?
We’ll see. But for now I’m thrilled to get my occasional fix from producers such as The Ringwald Theatre, who continue to offer patrons what they do best and with the talent audiences have grown to love, with only the medium and the method of delivery changed.
So what little treat do the creative and innovative folks at The Ringwald have in store for us this time? How about an original comedy that oddly (but successfully) combines one of TV’s most beloved sleuths and a troubled pop star in a tale that could have been ripped from supermarket tabloid headlines, “Murder, She Podcast: Baby One More Crime.”
In a 21st-century update to the traditional TV whodunnit, famed mystery novelist Jessica Fletcher investigates the strange disappearance and possible murder of Brittany Spears - and once again her old friend, (former) Sheriff Amos Tupper, is at her side. Now, though, they are interviewing witnesses via the internet from inside her home in Cabot Cove where they are recording the latest episode of their weekly podcast series. Assisting them is producer Andrew Lark.
To be honest, much of pop culture flies below my radar, especially anything to do with Hollywood and recording artists. So I’m about as familiar with the trials and tribulations of this faded singing sensation as I am with the lives of my neighbors six doors down – meaning, I know their names and what they do for a living, but that’s about it. Yet, the well-plotted script by the returning team of Vince Kelley and Matthew Arrington provides all the details and background info I needed to follow – and enjoy – the story, thanks in part to the snark, asides and snappy quips that are quite useful in providing this necessary information. (And what’s said is often funny as heck, too!)
What also works extremely well is the use of technology to tell the story. As written, “Murder She Podcast” would never work as a stage play. And so director Brandy Joe Plambeck and video editor Dyan Bailey utilize the creative tools of modern-day videography to effectively move the plot along. Especially fun are Tupper’s dream sequences in which he ponders the details of each suspect’s role in the possible murder of Ms. Spears. (And that’s all I’ll reveal. Why ruin the surprise for you!)
Most impressive, though, are the performers. In typical Ringwald fashion, a few genders are bent to great effect, and together, each actor (bent or otherwise) takes the words the authors gave them, grabs them by their metaphorical balls, and has a blast delivering very memorable (and spot-on) characters.
That’s especially true of Donny Riedel as the “Leave Brittany Alone” girl, Chris Crocker. Compare his interpretation here to the video of Crocker you can find online and you’ll be even more amazed by his stunning performance.
Another standout is the infectiously delightful Nicole Pascaretta as bubbly and wide-eyed younger sibling Jamie Lynn Spears. I don’t know how close on the mark her portrayal is – remember, my knowledge of such people is almost nil – but I loved every minute she brightened my screen!
Also loads of fun is regular Ringwald character actor Joel Mitchell, who is pitch perfect (isn’t he always?) as hardware store cashier Gene Smart, who just might have some light to shed on a purchase that could lead to identifying the killer. And Cory Shorter is delicious as Brittany’s hairdresser, Jeffrey Bean, who may reveal a heretofore secret that could help crack the case. Or maybe not.
Then, of course, there’s Richard Payton, once again donning dress and wig, this time as Jessica Fletcher; Joe Bailey as Cabot Cove’s beloved Sheriff Tupper (seasons one through four only, though, as Jessica reminds him); and Suzan M. Jacokes as put-upon producer Andrew Lark (who often accomplishes more with a devastating expression than any word ever could). These three are a seamless team, each playing to the others’ strengths and obviously having a ball doing so!
And as a result, I had one heck of a ball, as well!
But there’s one more performance I’ve yet to mention, and I’ve saved the most intriguing for last. Of all the actors one could think of to play Brittany Spears, the choice by director Plambeck is one that would never appear on most anyone’s list – not even in the last, oh-hell-no position. Yet the decision to cast Dave Davies in the role was a brilliant one. Not only is he one of the funniest, most talented and nicest guys you’d ever want to know, I’ve now learned you can “doll him up” and make an amazingly cute girl out of him! The only crime committed here was that we didn’t see more of her.
Oh - and one final note: As every movie seems to do these days, make sure you stay tuned after the credits for a bonus presentation. It's an original music video, and you'll love it!
* * * * *
SHOW INFORMATION: Tickets for Murder, She Podcast: Baby One More Crime are available at www.theringwald.com at three different giving levels: $20, $50, and $100 and can be purchased now through Sunday, May 2. The performance will be available to stream through May 10. Once you purchase your ticket, an email will be sent to you which will include links for Murder, She Podcast: Baby One More Crime and a virtual program. The video is hosted on Vimeo. You can watch on your phone/computer/tablet or, if you have the capability, you can stream the production to your smart TV.
NOTE: "Murder, She Podcast: Baby One More Crime" was developed prior to the release of the Framing Britney Documentary. The Ringwald firmly stands in support of the pop icon, and shares this piece of art with love and affection.
PHOTOS: Jessica Fletcher (Richard Payton) investigates the mysterious disappearance of Britney Spears in "Murder, She Podcast: Baby One More Crime," available to stream virtually from April 16-May 2, 2021. Photo by Brandy Joe Plambeck.
No comments:
Post a Comment