Author D.R. Ransdell
  • Author D.R. Ransdell
  • News & Events
  • Books
    • Party Wine >
      • Party Wine Extras
    • Andy Veracruz Mysteries >
      • Mariachi Meddler >
        • Mariachi Meddler Reviews
        • Mariachi Meddler Extras
        • MM Questions for Discussion
      • Island Casualty >
        • Island Casualty Reviews
        • Island Casualty Extras
      • Dizzy in Durango >
        • Dizzy in Durango Reviews
        • Dizzy in Durango Extras
      • Substitute Soloist >
        • Substitute Soloist Reviews
        • Substitute Soloist Extras
        • SS Questions for Discussion
      • Brotherly Love >
        • Brotherly Love Extras
    • Campanello Novels >
      • Amirosian Nights
      • Thai Twist >
        • Thai Twist Reviews
        • Thai Twist Extras
      • Carillon Chase >
        • Carillon Chase Extras
        • The International Carillon Festival
    • Mariachi Memoir >
      • Mariachi Memoir Reviews
      • Mariachi Memoir Extras
  • Awards
  • Music Gigs
    • Mariachi Fun >
      • What Is Mariachi?
      • Mariachi CD--Diana canta la venganza
    • Italian Folk Songs
  • For Readers
    • Bio
    • Media Room
    • Mystery Book Club
    • Model Mysteries
    • Literary Trails >
      • John Grisham
      • W.B. Yeats
      • J.R.R.Tolkien
      • World Carillons
    • Travel Muse Blog
    • Cat Fun >
      • Sample Poem by Bandit
      • World Cats
  • Contact
For more info:

"Murder For Two" Murdered Me!

12/12/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Writers Blair and Kinosian
At the Temple of Art and Music tonight, I saw a production of a new play by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair titled Murder for Two. The play is a farce based on what the authors term a cross between Agatha Christie and the Marx Brothers. It premiered in Chicago in 2011.

 The result is a ride of fun and frenzy as Joe Kinosian plays all the suspects and Ian Lowe plays the glorified security guard turned opportunistic detective. The two actors shared the piano, sometimes pushing one another out of the way. They went in and out of characters’ voices in dizzying and satisfying speed. They were funny and inventive. Their joyful energy was infectious.

There was one problem for me in all this. I kept thinking, “I couldn’t have written that myself. I couldn’t have thought that stuff up.” 

Usually when I go to movies or plays, there are parts I want to change. “That scene should have been cut,” I might say to myself. “I could have written that better myself,” I sometimes think.

Murder for Two is so smart and clever that, unfortunately, I couldn’t have written it. Any good writer needs to read (or listen) to other examples of fine writing. Sometimes the experience is humbling. That was my situation tonight. It wasn’t once that I thought, “I couldn’t have written this.” It was about ninety times. (The show runs ninety minutes.)

 I was shocked at the end when the audience didn’t jump right to its feet to applaud even though I did. I think some of the patrons were simply worn out from all the fun. They might have been left behind by the speed of the character changes.

Or, more likely, they didn’t stop to consider just how difficult the play was to perform. Both men had to be quick and sharp, play the piano expertly, and make jokes at the same time. They had to use split-second timing. Sometimes they sang in harmony. In the most intricate musical moments, they sang counterpoint. This takes immense practice and discipline. So actually, I was stunned twice: first by the clever script, and then again by the mastery of the actors.

So hat’s off. And for those of you in Tucson, the play runs through December 20th. Treat yourself to a night at the theatre. And be prepared to be murdered by a high level of creativity and skill. (The show plays in Phoenix Dec 31-Jan 18.)

 
For something not quite as creative, please check out my novel website: 
http://www.drransdellnovels.com

Picture
Arizona Theatre Company Playbill
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Big News

    D.R's fifth Andy Veracruz mystery, Brotherly Love, just came out. Gina's new adventure, Carillon Chase, just came out as well. Happy reading!
    ​

    Archives

    March 2023
    November 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013

    RSS Feed