REVIEW: A Deadly Good Time - Over My Dead Body Delivers Laughs at Town Theatre By Jane Turner Peterson

Town Theatre’s production of Over My Dead Body by Michael Sutton and Anthony Fingleton is a delightful throwback to some of Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries. While it takes place in the 1990s, it evokes the feel of old-school whodunit plays. Skillfully directed by Allison McNeely, Over My Dead Body is a comedy-mystery that borders on farce, with some wonderful physical and situational comedy moments. There are several great twists in the plot that make the production even more fun. The entire cast was fun to watch.

The story is set in England and revolves around three elderly founding members of a mystery/crime writers’ literary club: Dora Winslow (Kathy Hartzog), Trevor Foyle (Bill DeWitt), and Bartie Cruikshank (Clayton King)—collectively known as the “Murder League.” A new, young writer, Simon Vale, has joined their ranks, and they are not fond of him. Vale makes fun of their old-fashioned style of writing, while the League mocks his inappropriate language used to describe his murders. The play spoofs the whodunit genre as the three members of the “Murder League” attempt to plan and execute the perfect crime to boost their careers—only to have their old-fashioned methods go comically wrong.

As the married couple Trevor Foyle and Dora Winslow, DeWitt and Hartzog bring their wonderful chemistry to full force. Having played opposite one another many times over the years, the pair are always a delight to watch. Their timing and delivery are spot-on. Clayton King’s Bartie adds a delightful dose of eccentric energy to a character who is shrewder than he first appears.

Wayne Wright’s portrayal of Vale strikes just the right mix of snobbery and cockiness to make you distrust—and dislike—his character. The club’s butler, played by Steve Reeves, adds another layer of comedy to the production. His slow-moving, dim-witted portrayal of the aging servant is fun, and even more commitment to the character would have been welcome. The murder victim—Simon Vale’s utterly despicable American literary agent, Leo Sharpe—is played by the imposing Sam Chamberlain, who dives into the role with great enthusiasm and makes you dislike him from the moment he appears.

Rounding out the production is the star-struck detective, Chris Kruzner, whose portrayal of the slightly dim-witted investigator, reminiscent of Jacques Clouseau (The Pink Panther), is spot-on. His self-assured partner, Sergeant Trask, portrayed by Chavous Camp, is also fun to watch. Together, the two make a strong comedic pairing.

Big kudos to the entire set, costume, and prop crew—Nathan Jackson, Jeremy Hansard, Julian Harley, Shannon Willis Scruggs, and Jodie Harris—whose work was very well done and served the production beautifully. Town Theatre is lucky to have such a wonderful space. A few technical elements could be tightened up, but it is live theatre, after all.

If you’re looking for a fun, lively evening at the theatre, this one is for you. Over My Dead Body runs Thursdays through Sundays until Feb. 1. For tickets or more information, visit towntheatre.org.

REVIEW: Village Square’s The Odd Couple – Classic Comedy Done Right by Jane Turner Peterson

Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple opened Friday evening at Village Square Theatre in Lexington, bringing laughter, nostalgia, and a delightful dose of 1960s charm to the stage. Under the sharp direction of Allison McNeely, this production captures the timeless humor and heart of Simon’s beloved play while offering a fresh, lively take on the story of two polar-opposite roommates. From the first moments, the show delivers exactly what audiences hope for—snappy dialogue, hilarious physical comedy, and a genuine sense of camaraderie among its cast. 

Director Allison McNeely has crafted a production that feels both authentic and full of energy. Her attention to pacing and character dynamics keeps the comedy crisp without losing the play’s warmth. The 1960s setting is beautifully realized—Dell Goodrich’s costume design perfectly captures the era’s style, from the guys’ sloppy dress to the mod dresses and shoes for the girls, and the set transports the audience straight into Oscar Madison’s cluttered New York apartment. It’s clearly a labor of love, with many members of the cast and crew contributing to its creation. Every detail, from the furniture to the period-appropriate props, feels thoughtfully chosen and true to the time. 

While the production was strong overall, there were a few technical hiccups with the wireless microphones on opening night. But that’s live theatre—anything can happen—and the cast handled it with professionalism and ease, never breaking character or losing momentum. In fact, the moments when the mics faltered proved that the actors didn’t need them; their projection and clarity carried beautifully across the intimate space. In smaller venues like Village Square, strong vocal work often serves better than amplification, and this cast proved that point with confidence. 

The cast of The Odd Couple was uniformly strong, led by David LaTorre as the neurotic Felix Ungar and Davis Herndon as the lovable slob Oscar Madison. LaTorre fully embodied Felix’s nervous energy—his fussy mannerisms, anxious pacing, and relentless tidying perfectly captured the character’s comic tension. Herndon, by contrast, brought an easy charm to Oscar, a man who lives for poker nights, cold beer, and controlled chaos. Together, the two actors found a natural rhythm, their chemistry and timing making the famous odd pairing feel both believable and fresh. 

Adding to the fun were the delightfully ditzy Pigeon sisters, played by Ivy Munnerlin (Cecily) and Melissa Frierson (Gwendolyn). Their infectious giggling and lively energy lit up the stage, serving as a perfect foil to Felix’s nervous breakdown and Oscar’s barely contained frustration. The result was comedy gold. 

Oscar’s poker pals added another layer of humor and heart to the production. Clayton King, Charles Zuber, Steve Reeves, and newcomer Cole Allen created a believable band of mismatched friends who clearly enjoy one another’s company—both onstage and off. Each brought a distinct personality to the table: the sarcastic wit, the mild-mannered pushover, the no-nonsense realist, and the good-natured joker. Their overlapping dialogue and easy camaraderie made the poker scenes feel wonderfully natural, as if the audience were eavesdropping on a real group of lifelong friends ribbing each other through a Friday night game. Their chemistry grounded the show and reminded us why The Odd Couple continues to resonate—because friendships, however messy, are what make life bearable. 

In the end, Village Square Theatre’s The Odd Couple delivers exactly what audiences come to the theatre for—a night of laughter, nostalgia, and genuine connection. Under Allison McNeely’s direction, the cast brings Neil Simon’s iconic characters to life with heart and humor, reminding us why this play remains a timeless classic. Whether you’re a longtime fan of The Odd Couple or discovering it for the first time, this production is a delightful reminder that even the most mismatched friendships can endure. It’s smart, funny, and filled with charm—an evening well spent at Village Square Theatre. 

The show will run through November 2, so hurry and get your tickets before they are gone. You can purchase them online at villagesquaretheatre.com.

***

REVIEW: Steel Magnolias Shines with Heart and Humor at Town Theatre By Jane Peterson

Steel Magnolias, written by Robert Harling, running Thursday through Sunday, February 13-16, at Town Theatre, is not to be missed. While matinee tickets may be sold out, seats are still available for evening performances, so I highly recommend reserving your tickets now. And as a bonus, this show marks the debut of the theater's new, incredibly comfortable seating, which is sure to enhance your experience.

Based on a true story, playwright Harling based the play on his sister. He grew up in Natchitoches and based the characters on some of his mother's friends. He believed that the women in his community were witty and clever, and that the juxtaposition of strength and fragility was typical of Southern women.

A big shout-out to director Allison McNeeley for her expertly crafted direction of this play, bringing a smooth and authentic portrayal of the story to the stage. The staging worked well keeping the characters alive within the set at all times. This is a cast of real people, and you’ll find yourself loving every one of them.

The play centers around a group of six women who gather at Truvy’s Beauty Salon in a small-town in Louisiana to prepare for the wedding of Shelby Eatenton (Zanna Mills) and her beau, Jackson Latcherie. M’Lynn Eatenton (Debra Kiser), Shelby’s mother, is at the heart of the story. Joining them are Truvy (Syhaya Aviel), who runs the salon, a newly hired assistant named Anelle (Emily Clelland), and longtime friends Clairee Belcher (Gayle Stewart) and Ouiser Boudreaux (Kathy Hartzog). These women share a deep bond of friendship, supporting each other through thick and thin. You will laugh and cry with them as their stories unfold.

The chemistry between the cast members is real. Emily Clelland, as the naive and innocent Annelle, brings humor and charm with her well-timed comedic moments and expressive and sincere performance. Syhaya Aviel shines as Truvy, infusing the character with warmth and authenticity, making her incredibly relatable and endearing. Gayle Stewart nails her portrayal of Clairee, delivering her lines with perfect timing, and Kathy Hartzog’s hilarious Ouiser is a character we all know and love.

But the standout performances for me were Debra Kiser as M’Lynn and Zanna Mills as Shelby. Their on-stage relationship is full of heart—both tender and tense, with every moment feeling true to life. Zanna’s portrayal of Shelby radiates a love for life, while her performance through Shelby’s health decline is heartbreakingly real. Watching Zanna grow as an actress over the past few years has been a pleasure—she’s one to watch. And Debra Kiser? Prepare yourself for an emotional rollercoaster. Her performance is nothing short of breathtaking, especially in the final moments of the play. Trust me, bring tissues—Kiser’s performance will leave you in tears.

The creative team also deserves a round of applause. The set design perfectly captures the essence of a beauty salon, while the period-appropriate props and costumes further immerse the audience in the world of the play.

This production is a beautiful blend of humor, heart, and poignant moments, making for a wonderfully entertaining evening at Town Theatre. Don’t miss it!

Tickets are available by calling Town Theatre at 803-799-2510, Tuesday to Friday, 12 noon to 5 pm, or online at towntheatre.com/tickets/.