Christopher Manson, Act4 Ninja, writes:
I got up a little earlier than usual Sunday morning and fired up the computer, expecting to see some glowing reviews of the previous evening’s world premiere of Act4Mystery’s “Sweet and Deadly.”
Sadly, the local media went to sleep on this event, which leaves me to contribute the sole glowing review of the show.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I performed in this show, and I was amazing.
***
Saturday, October 23, brought the world premiere of Act4Mystery's SWEET AND DEADLY to Samuel's Roadhouse in Crestview. The crowd at Samuel’s has been very receptive to the hijinks of Paula Hilton and her troupe of players over the years, and last night was no exception.
And for good reason. The show was dynamite.
First off, this is one solid cast -- Chris Manson as Bunky Wonky, Kay Yarbrough as Mama Wynona, Cynthia Bergquist as Kitty Wonkus, and Jim Downum as Tommy Wunkus — have performed brilliantly in these roles in previous shows, yet they have individually brought fascinating new layers to their familiar characters without sacrificing the funny.
Mary Ann Troiano, who in the past portrayed the conniving ex of both Mr. Manson and Mr. Downum’s characters, launched into a new role as a carnival worker hilariously named Connie Bee Rebel.
Once again, our femme fatale pits best friends Bunky and Tommy against each other, but thanks to the next-level acting, this routine remains fresh and funny. Ms. Troiano, dressed in a sexy outfit complete with body-strangling leather pants, does not regurgitate her old Becky character. She does something completely new, and it’s funny to boot.
As always, Ms. Yarbrough and Ms. Bergquist mine for comic gold with great success. The latest plot twist finds Mama a recent Powerball lottery winner — and heavy drinker — with Kitty pursuing Bunky and depleting her mother’s recently earned fortune.
When Connie Bee enters the picture, conflicts rear their ugly ol’ heads, and this well-oiled cast delivers the goods. Whether they’re up in each other’s faces hollerin’ or dancin' — quite well, thanks to the efforts of Act4 choreographer Rochelle Kimball — to a golden oldie from the Hollies, this is a show for the ages.
I can only hope this marvelous cast will mount this show again in the very near future. Writer and Act4 founder Ms. Hilton has birthed a script full of comic gems and jaw-dropping plot twists. SWEET AND DEADLY deserves a wider audience, and I’m certain it will find one.
Again, I must mention Mr. Manson, who is quite brilliant and continues to amaze me with his virtuoso versatility.
For news about upcoming performances, I encourage you to visit www.act4mystery.com as often as possible.
