Theatrical Review in Hendersonville Times-News              April 5, 2005

Brevard Theater Presents a Mystery With a Twist
                   Doris Whalen   Special to the Times-News

The play, Out of Sight, Out of Murder, playing at Brevard Little Theatre, is a
murder mystery with a twist.  Set in an old Victorian mansion in Vermont,
fittingly, the play by Fred Carmichael, had its premiere performance in
Waitsfield, Vermont.

The play opens with an author working on his computer, trying to write his next
mystery novel and the plot begins unfolding before our eyes.  As he describes his
first character, there is thunder and lightning.  We learn from an initial visit by the
housekeeper, Minna, wonderfully played by Kathleen Moore, that he is there in
this old, out of the way house, to get inspiration. It seems that the previous
mystery writer, Norman Napier, had been mysteriously murdered in this very
room.  The author, Peter Knight, (Marvin Barg) is desolate and looks into it as he
tries to weave a new novel.

As he works, one by one, the cadre of stock characters of a murder mystery
appear; all the characters, that is, that one expects to see in a murder mystery.   
Characters that are so much a part of this make-believe world but who, as is
repeated so many times in the play, would "never make it in the real world."
There is the older, seductive woman, faithfully played by Celeste Thorington,
and then the necessary butler, Cogburn, well-played by Maxwell Bernson, and of
course the ingenue, Kay Kelsey (Donna Lovejoy) who will play an integral part in
the developing plot.

The next important characters, Fiona Babcock and the maid, Addie, add a
wonderful comic element. Fiona, the wildly eccentric woman, played by Lyn
French O'Hare in her finest role to date, and a lovely young newcomer, Susannah
McIlvaine, are perfect characters in this off-beat play. Then, there is, of course,
the good-looking young man, Dick Stanton (Zac Thompson) who falls in love with
the young ingenue.  And lastly, there is the necessary lawyer, Jordan Dillingham,
(Jim Keeley) to read the ever-present will at midnight.

These imaginary players know each other from previous appearances in many
other novels in the past and move the plot along as they must.

But, this is not going to be the run of the mill mystery novel. There must be
surprises. And there are.

This is truly a character-driven show. And with few exceptions, these actors
portray them well.

Special mention must be made of the character of the eccentric old woman,
Fiona, in a truly appropriate costume who fools us all and the maid, Addie, who
is wanton and of course, pregnant, as is expected, and plays her role to the hilt;
Cogburn, the butler, looks and acts (except for a little timing problem) like the
butler of old, and is the loyal servant that we expect.  Or is he?

The lighting by John Arnett and Paul Goldschmidt was very well executed and the
sound effects by Brittany Coleman were very appropriate and timely.
The costumes were on the whole very effective as were the props and the set.
The pace could be improved and may well be as the actors become more
comfortable with all their lines, which are considerable.
This is an unusual and entertaining play that everyone can enjoy! Out of Sight,
Out of Murder, will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m.
Sunday, through April 17, by Brevard Little Theatre, at the Barn Theater on the
Brevard College campus. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for students 18 and under.
Call 884-2587 for more information.
Photo published with article:
Susannah McIlvaine (left)and Lyn French O'Hare in a scene from Out of Sight,
Out of Murder, a comedy now playing at the BLT Barn Theater, Brevard College,
through April 17.