Published: Friday, March 4, 2011
By popular demand, Everett theater stages 'Sleuth'
You subscribers asked for it, and Village Theatre responded.
And you'll be bloody well glad of it.
Village Theatre added "Sleuth" to this season's slate of musicals because this murder mystery had been on the top of the list of nonmusicals that subscribers have been "dying" to see for several years.
Author Anthony Shaffer wrote this pull-the-rug-out thriller, inspired in part by Agatha Christie but also by musical theater genius Stephen Sondheim, Shaffer's friend and a great fan of game-playing.
The plot of "Sleuth" is mired in a cat-and-mouse game between two clever Brits: mystery novelist Andrew Wyke -- who is loosely based on Sondheim -- and Milo Tindle.
Wyke has invited Tindle to his stately and isolated English country mansion (scenic design by Martin Christoffel) where the action kicks off with Wyke dryly telling Tindle: "We need to be friendly. I understand you want to marry my wife."
From there, these two men enter a contest of cunning tricks against a backdrop of verbal tapestry that is comic, cutting and colorful.
The twists and turns in this plot get as thick as London fog and Village Theatre has asked that the particulars of the plot not be revealed. I certainly won't be the spoiler here.
But rest assured, you'll be grabbed by the collar and delivered through each magnificent deception in this plot under the skillful direction of Martin Charnin, who created the musical "Annie," and Village Theatre's two leading men.
In this cat-and-mouse game, David Pichette as Andrew Wyke is definitely the cat, prowling across the stage, sometimes letting his lines out with a purr or shouting them out with his claws extended.
Pichette is devilish and charming; don't take your eyes off him.
MJ Sieber's Milo Tindle starts out as a bit of a clod but ever so subtly Sieber changes Tindle into a brilliant mouser.
It's all chilling to watch and a challenge all the way through to try to put together the clues.
"Sleuth" opens at 8 tonight at Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. Shows are 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 7 p.m. selected Sundays through March 27.
Tickets start at $35, $29 and $19. Call 425-257-8600 or go to www.villagetheatre.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
And you'll be bloody well glad of it.
Village Theatre added "Sleuth" to this season's slate of musicals because this murder mystery had been on the top of the list of nonmusicals that subscribers have been "dying" to see for several years.
Author Anthony Shaffer wrote this pull-the-rug-out thriller, inspired in part by Agatha Christie but also by musical theater genius Stephen Sondheim, Shaffer's friend and a great fan of game-playing.
The plot of "Sleuth" is mired in a cat-and-mouse game between two clever Brits: mystery novelist Andrew Wyke -- who is loosely based on Sondheim -- and Milo Tindle.
Wyke has invited Tindle to his stately and isolated English country mansion (scenic design by Martin Christoffel) where the action kicks off with Wyke dryly telling Tindle: "We need to be friendly. I understand you want to marry my wife."
From there, these two men enter a contest of cunning tricks against a backdrop of verbal tapestry that is comic, cutting and colorful.
The twists and turns in this plot get as thick as London fog and Village Theatre has asked that the particulars of the plot not be revealed. I certainly won't be the spoiler here.
But rest assured, you'll be grabbed by the collar and delivered through each magnificent deception in this plot under the skillful direction of Martin Charnin, who created the musical "Annie," and Village Theatre's two leading men.
In this cat-and-mouse game, David Pichette as Andrew Wyke is definitely the cat, prowling across the stage, sometimes letting his lines out with a purr or shouting them out with his claws extended.
Pichette is devilish and charming; don't take your eyes off him.
MJ Sieber's Milo Tindle starts out as a bit of a clod but ever so subtly Sieber changes Tindle into a brilliant mouser.
It's all chilling to watch and a challenge all the way through to try to put together the clues.
"Sleuth" opens at 8 tonight at Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. Shows are 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 7 p.m. selected Sundays through March 27.
Tickets start at $35, $29 and $19. Call 425-257-8600 or go to www.villagetheatre.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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