By Rafal Rogoza –
Bloody murder is hilarious, in the New Jersey City University production of the mystery comedy “Done to Death” which ran in early March at the Margaret Williams Theatre.
Directed by Anderson Johnson, the mysterious plot written by Fred Carmichael utilizes weapons that would make crime science majors drool with enthusiasm – smoking revolvers, deadly CIA gadgets, a booby trapped typewriter, the poisonous fumes of an oven, and the classic knife to the back.
The story takes place in Vulture’s Vault, an old mansion on a Caribbean Island, where five mystery writers rendezvous to collaborate on a new television mystery series. In the opening scene Jessica Olive, played by Samantha Algieri, and Whitney Olive, played by Mitchell Vargas, stumble through a dark set and share some cocktails as they await the other writers; Brad Benedict played by Mario Mantilla, Mildred Maxwell played by Nicole Carvajal, and Rodney Duckton played by Cristian Nieves. Each author has a unique writing style to their mysteries that has been “Done to Death” – an unexpected ending, spies killing for the government, and the tough detective who falls for the sexy broad that dies in his arms. Once together, they poke fun and criticize each others work.
The action begins when suddenly their paranoid producer Jason Summers, played by Wilton Jimenez, is found dead with a knife in his back. The murder leads to mystery and each writer takes a turn at unraveling the unknown. As the plot unfolds characters are found dead throughout the mansion and no one knows who did it. Jane, the naive maid played by Scarlett Santiago, is found dead with her head in the oven and the body of the upright butler Gregory, played by Fernando Ayres, is found lifeless in the pantry. The writers, while attempting to find the killer, are murdered like the characters in their own mystery novels.
Overall “Done to Death” is amusingly entertaining. As the writers struggle to pen their tv series and solve the murders around them, their wit draws laughter. When Mitchell Vargas portrays the role of Jack Club, a tough private investigator working the night shift who falls for a seductive woman needing help, its like watching Philip Marlowe in a tragic comedy. “She’s bad, she’s all bad,” said Club as the scantily dressed woman lures him from his desk, the audience loved it.
The performance of Samantha Algieri, playing the role of Jessica Olive, stood out among the cast. Wearing a red dress, a matching turban, and diamonds, Jessica Olive demanded attention and rightfully so. Her easy going character, one line jokes, and high toned voice resembled Lucille Ball from “I Love Lucy.” Surrounded by characters that exude arrogance, Jessica Olive’s humor and thirst for a martini – most likely shaken, not stirred – made her easy to like.
The set was “dreary,” as intended, and didn’t change throughout the play. Everything took place in a bleak, blue walled, living room that was furnished with a few sofas, a desk, bookcase, and a fireplace in the center. Jazz set the mood as it played intermittently.
Carmichael may have considered mystery writing “Done to Death,” with this play he gives us a reason to laugh at a genre of literature that has created sleuths like Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Roderick Allen, and Miss Marple.
