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.

Jasper Welcomes Jewelry Designer Clayton King to the Tiny Gallery

Jasper is excited to kick off 2026 in our Tiny Gallery with handcrafted jewelry created by Midlands area artist Clayton King. According to King, whose jewel-art is offered under the title Inspired Chaos Studio, he is “a jewelry artist based in Columbia, SC, whose work resides where fluid lines meet thoughtful structure. Inspired Chaos was born when King ran the art and jewelry gallery, Artizan, in which he offered bespoke fan pulls and crystal sun catchers. The line was expanded to include wearable jewelry and is now offered online. His creative process is guided by the quiet movement found in nature and the Gestalt principles that reveal the beauty of negative space—how what isn’t there can shape what is.

“Clayton is also a performing artist, most notably singing in cabarets and on various Midlands stages. A Texas transplant, he pursues both jewelry and performing as a holdover from his major in Theatre Performance, as well as his years as a gallery owner. Both creative outlets are soul-feeding in different areas of creativity.”

To shop from King’s collection of original artisan jewelry just click here and make your choices!

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.

***

Ensemble Eclectica Brings Tapestry of Sound to Harbison Theatre Featuring Stan Gwynn, Clayton King, and Tracy Steele!

Classical Meets Bluegrass and Broadway in the new signature production by

Ensemble Eclectica

Tapestry of Sound:  Bluegrass to Broadway and More…

Classical Meets Bluegrass and Broadway in the 2025 Ensemble Eclectica production: Tapestry of Sound: Bluegrass to Broadway and More... on  Saturday August 23rd at 7:30 at Harbison Theatre, 7300 College Drive in Irmo, SC

Celebrated local performers Stann Gwynn, Clayton King, and Tracy Steele, along with  Carolina Bluegrass Style, will join with Ensemble Eclectica to present a groundbreaking new signature production this year!

In keeping with our tradition, the production features music, dance, and vocals, including the award-winning dance duo of Roxana Marinoff and Cesar Davalos, renowned for their musicality and dance craftsmanship. Local performer, Mattie Mount, will share her award-winning tap dancing skills and, rounding out the dance selections of the evening is Columbia Classical Ballet. Three styles of dance on one stage and one night! 

Clayton King and Tracy Steele will also serve as co-emcees for the evening. And new this year, acclaimed Columbia’s Inaugural Poet Laureate for the city, Ed Madden, will take the stage to share one of his poems in a unique way, accompanied by live music. Throughout the evening, photography by Jim Guzel will be featured to further enhance the production. 

ENSEMBLE ECLECTICA  is a contemporary and innovative ensemble whose mission is to stimulate audience appreciation of the arts through exposure to a wide variety of artistic collaborations featuring local musicians, dancers, visual artists and media professionals and is led by Suzanna Pavlovsky. Dr. Pavlovsky is a former Associate Conductor in Residence of the Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra in Toronto, and Associate Conductor of the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra in Columbia, SC. An Assistant Conductor at Michigan State University, she was also a graduate assistant at the Eastman School of Music, as well as a conducting and teaching assistant at the University of South Carolina. 

Reserve Your Tickets Here!

Introducing the Cast of Jasper's 2025 Play Right Series Winning Play - Busted Open by Ryan Stevens

Ryan Stevens - Jasper’s 2025 Play Right Series Winning Playwright & author of Busted Open

As we move toward July 20th and the first meeting of the Jasper Project’s 2025 Play Right Series Community Producers, we’re excited to announce the cast for Ryan Steven’s brand new original play, Busted Open!

Directed by Jane Turner Peterson, the cast of Busted Open includes the following —

Sunset: Ella Riley

Artemis: Kristin Cobb

Amy Bell: Maggie Baker

Jane Richmond: Allison Allgood

Painkiller: Beth DeHart

Rachel “Victory” Vance: Zanna Mills

Phil Kirkland: Clayton King

Trevor Richmond: Josh Kern

We’re still assembling our 2025 roster of Community Producers and we’d love to have you join us!

On select Sunday afternoons this summer you are invited to join with the cast, crew, and fellow Community Producers for an enlightening and entertaining session that pulls back the curtains of theatre development and illuminates how a stageplay goes from page to stage. Your first session will offer you a private viewing of the first step in a play production, the Table Reading – the first time the cast of the winning play will read their parts together.

Subsequent sessions will focus on essential ingredients in the production of a successful staged reading, such as the stage manager’s job; props, lighting, blocking, and sound; unique insights from the director; how the actors prepare for their parts; playwright perceptions from this year and past projects; and an invitation to the dress rehearsal. In addition to your invitation to gather with the cast and crew every Sunday in July, each session will also feature exciting snacks and beverages. And many more surprises each week!

Finally, you’ll take your reserved, best-in-the-house seats to a ticketed staged reading.

But there’s more.

Your name will be included as a Community Producer on programs, posters, press releases, and other promotional materials as well as in the perfect bound book published by Muddy Ford Press and registered with the Library of Congress, and you will take home your own copies as a souvenir of your experience.

What is expected of Community Producers?

We hope you can make it to every exciting Sunday afternoon meeting, but we understand if you have to miss some. Each session will last from 90 – 120 minutes.

The financial commitment for a Community Producer is a minimum of $250 per person, but other sponsorships are also available and appreciated.

Our hope is that you will be so enlightened and inspired by this experience that you will become a diplomat of live theatre, fresh playwrights, and the Jasper Project and encourage your friends and colleagues to participate in live theatre themselves!

Play Right Series 2025 Community Producer Schedule

SUNDAY, JULY 20: Introducing Ryan Stevens and Busted Open
Meet the 2025 Play Right Series Winning Playwright Ryan Stevens and witness the Inaugural Table Reading of Busted Open

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3: The Art of Stagecraft
The cast & crew of Busted Open explain the process of preparing for a role and tricks of the trade to demystify some of the magic of the theatrical arts   

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17: The Playwright's Craft
Learn about the processes of 4 award-winning playwrights including Ryan Stevens, Chad Henderson, Lonetta Thompson, and Colby Quick with your host Jon Tuttle, author of South Carolina Onstage, The Trustus Collection, and more

SUNDAY, AUGUST  31:  Sneak Peek Week!
Be a fly on the proverbial stage wall among an intimate group of guests to watch a working rehearsal of Busted Open – see how far the cast has come since the first ever Table Reading just six weeks earlier

SUNDAY: SEPT 14: The Big Event – Staged Reading of Busted Open
Take your reserved seat for the Premiere Stage Reading of Busted Open by Ryan Stevens at Columbia Music Festival Association and enjoy a post-show champagne toast to the cast, crew, and creator of Busted Open!

Purpose of the Play Right Series

Empower and enlighten audiences by allowing them insider views of the steps and processes of creating theatre art by

• Offering limited open table and stage readings of theatrical works as well as rehearsals of theatrical works to community members

• Offering Community Producer opportunities to the community members by keeping production costs low and involving community assets already in place. In exchange for an established minimal financial contribution, Community Producers are invited to attend designated open readings and rehearsals, informal presentations by cast and crew, and opening night performances with producer credits. The result: Community Producers learn about the extensive process of producing a play and become invested personally in the production and success of the play and its cast and crew, thereby becoming diplomats of theatre arts.

Increase opportunities for theatre artists to create and participate in new art without the necessity of being attached to an existing theatre organization by

• Offering a space and arts engineering for playwrights to workshop their plays and one-off theatre arts experiences and potentially have them produced

• Putting out calls for new works of theatre art from new and existing playwrights, as well as work opportunities for on-stage and backstage theatre artists.

Provide more affordable and experimental theatre arts experiences for new and emerging theatre artists and their audiences; thereby expanding cultural literacy and theatre arts appreciation in the

Have You Heard About the Monthly After Dinner Cabaret?

At the Jasper Project, new art is our M.O. And we applaud the artist who, whatever their discipline, steps out of the long line of folks waiting patiently for their big breaks to take control and make their breaks happen for them with their own vision, fortitude, and faith in themselves and their sisters and brothers in the arts trenches.

This week we’re applauding The Monthly After Dinner Cabaret, a King/Henderson project - that’s Vicky Saye Henderson Van Horne and Clayton King - both prolific performers with a history of making art happen in the SC Midlands and beyond.

The pair offer a great explanation of their history and mission on their website, which we share with you below:

The Story of The Monthly After Dinner Cabaret

The Monthly After Dinner Cabaret offers a chance to enjoy some of the Midlands' most celebrated cabaret and theatre performers once a month in an intimate and lively atmosphere. Sharing an eclectic mix of music and stories, our performers have over 400 years of combined experience delivering lively and entertaining programs.

 We started small in 2023 with a six-month series in a small venue on Two Notch Road. As word got out that this fun event was happening every month, audiences started to grow, and over the course of the next year, we knew we were on to something. 

Our goal was (seemingly) simple. Provide an evening of live music without the need to purchase dinner or drinks. In other words, enjoy a dinner with a friend at your chosen place, and then come join us at the cabaret! Easy, laid back, and fun!

The Monthly After Dinner Cabaret is moving to a new performance space next month. We are excited about performing at Columbia Music Festival Association Artspace in downtown Columbia. Our new venue offers a more comfortable setting with better seating and acoustics, providing an improved experience for all. The intimate atmosphere you've come to enjoy will remain, with the added benefit of enhanced staging. We look forward to welcoming you to our new location for an evening of entraining and quality performances in a fresh environment. If you're not already on our mailing list, please subscribe by using the button below to receive updates as they unfold.

Congratulations to the entire troupe of MAD Cabaret performers, and thanks to Columbia Music Festival Association for providing this company a performance home.

MAD Cabaret’s next event is Tuesday October 8th at 7:30 at CMFA and features Mandy Applegate, Jonathan Monk, w/ Greg Boatright.

Purchase Tickets Here.

REVIEW: Chapin Theatre Company's Into the Woods by Melissa Ellington

Chapin Theatre Company presents an outstanding production of Into the Woods with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine at the Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College. The musical debuted in 1986 at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, followed by a Tony Award-winning Broadway production in 1987. Numerous other versions of Into the Woods have emerged over the years, including Broadway and London revivals as well as the 2014 film adaptation. (This reviewer first fell in love with the musical through the PBS American Playhouse filming of the original stage production. Into the Woods became the first of many musicals I would direct with high school students, and I have fond memories of problem-solving its trickier production demands with energized and optimistic teenagers.) The Chapin Theatre Company succeeds in producing a musical with considerable history through an innovative and fresh approach.

Into the Woods weaves together familiar fairy tales in clever and surprising ways. Key characters are drawn into the woods in pursuit of their dreams and desires: the Baker and his wife seek items needed to lift the Witch’s magic spell and cure their childlessness; Cinderella travels to her mother’s grave for advice on how to attend the prince’s ball; Jack (of eventual beanstalk fame) must sell his beloved cow Milky White in a desperate effort to alleviate his family’s poverty; and Little Red Riding Hood sets out for her grandmother’s house, only to be waylaid by the Wolf. While Act One traces the journey towards wish fulfillment, Act Two takes a darker turn as the characters face what happens after “happily ever after.” As Cinderella sings to a heartbroken Little Red Riding Hood: “Sometimes people leave you, halfway through the wood. Others may deceive you. You decide what’s good.”  Recognition of human imperfection and finding hope amid bleak circumstances provide thematic cornerstones that are as timely now as ever.

Into the Woods has been challenging and moving audiences for decades, and astute director Jamie Carr-Harrington has assembled a top-notch cast for this excellent production.  In the central role of the Baker, Clayton King provides vocal power and emotional connection through pivotal numbers such as “No More,” a poignant sequence with the Mysterious Man (aptly played by Andy Nyland, who is also the appealing Narrator.) Becca Kelly (Baker’s Wife) and Karly Minacapelli (Cinderella) create engaging characters while sharing gorgeous vocal talents.

Catherine L. Bailey triumphs in the complex role of the Witch, communicating both strength and frailty in songs such as “Last Midnight” which is performed as a beguiling lullaby that transforms into a ferocious display of power. Jackie Rowe plays Little Red with depth and compassion, making a role that could easily become a caricature into a highly moving depiction of growing up. After admiring his work on various Columbia stages for years, this reviewer was thrilled to open the program and see Paul Lindley II cast in the role of Jack. Lindley’s vocal energy and magnetic stage presence contribute to a gratifying performance. Nancy Ann Smith delivers a delightful portrayal of Jack’s beleaguered mother.

As the “charming, not sincere” Princes, Jeremy Reasoner and Kyle Neal have impeccable timing and admirable voices, especially in the crowd-pleasing number “Agony.” Ann Baggett (Stepmother), Rachel Glowacki (Lucinda), and Elizabeth Stepp (Florinda) depict Cinderella’s step-family with comedic glee, while Courtney Reasoner shares a beautiful soprano in the role of Rapunzel. Parker Byun succeeds as an appropriately sleazy Wolf and doubles in the role of Cinderella’s incompetent father. Ruth Glowacki’s fierce Granny and Giant and Joshua Wall’s sarcastic Steward contribute to the strong performance.

With superb musical direction by Christopher A. McCroskey, the cast demonstrates extraordinary vocal ability throughout the production. A first-rate group of musicians fulfill the intricate challenges of Sondheim’s score, including David Branham (Bass), Brian Lamkin (Trumpet), and Samantha Marshall (Flute). Patty Boggs’ precise work with percussion enhances the production significantly.

A substantial production staff has collaborated to bring Into the Woods to life, including Carr-Harrington, Lou Clyde (Producer), Carrie Chalfont (Stage Manager), Matt Pound (Technical Director; Set and Lighting Design), Shelby Sessler (Costumer), Kara Pound (Art Design), Diane Moore (Properties) and J.S. Lee (Sound Design and Technician). The technical demands of Into the Woods are considerable, and the production team showcases creativity and skill in staging this performance.

With Carr-Harrington’s expert guidance, the Chapin Theatre Company scores a major win with Into the Woods. For viewers who think they have already seen this material because they went to the movie version: you really don’t want to miss the opportunity to enjoy this lovely production of a musical treasure by a successful local theatre company in the wonderful Harbison Theatre facility. As the characters sing in the opening prologue, “Into the woods, it’s time to go!”

Into the Woods will be presented by the Chapin Theatre Company at the Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College on June 24, 25, 26, and 27 at 8 pm and on June 28 at 3 pm. The theatre is located at 7300 College Street in Irmo, SC.  For more information, visit www.chapintheatre.org.