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Disclaimer:
The reviewers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheatreLouisville.org. |
Peer Reviews Murder at Lenny's Speakeasy A review by Kate Barry Entire contents are copyright © 2009 Kate Barry. All rights reserved.
Before I saw the most recent WhoDunnit Murder Mystery Theater production, I tried to think of other dinner theaters in town that incorporate an interactive murder mystery into their evening. Derby Dinner has the occasional production, of course, but other than that I was stumped. With this in mind, I prepared myself for a night of unique theater.
Simply put, the entire night was a lot of fun. As the salads were distributed by the wait staff, cast members in costumes resembling the Prohibition era mingled with the audience. Each character was a true delight, bringing grins and amusement to each table. Notably, Tiffany Smith had a Bernadette Peters presence about her as Lila Lottabux-O'Malley, a vengeful flapper who hangs out at the speakeasy. Constantly twirling her hair and speaking in a shrill, high pitch, Smith was a comedic dynamo on the small stage as well as mingling with the patrons. Each of the six players pulled their weight in the cartoon-like production. With clever and at times not-so-subtle clues, audience members are given the chance to solve the mystery in between the second and third act for a prize. Although I was not able to solve the murder mystery correctly, I gave the detective character (played by WhoDunnit playwright Ann Waterman) a pretty good lead which ended up being a pivotal clue at the play's conclusion. Prizes were given to the person who figured out who committed the crime, why and the big clue as well as "the most creative" answer to the aforementioned questions. On a personal note, I felt a bit out of place as I was accompanied by a friend and the majority of the audience were dating or married couples. I wouldn't hold that against the company, though. The funny characters, charming music and tasty food make for a delightful evening. Indeed, this is a theater unlike any other in town.
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