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Photos by Dana Manner
By Britin Haller
Produced by Curtain Call Playhouse, and written by Todd Wallinger who typically writes comedic children’s plays, The Butler Did It is billed as “an evening of mystery, hoopla, and outrageous hijinks.” They’re not kidding, because it’s all that and more. One bit of marketing also gives a hint as to whodunnit, but we’re not going to share that choosing to focus only on some of what happens during Act One.
Any synopsis must be limited so as to not give away one of the multiple aha moments, but in a nutshell it’s this … It’s the 1930s in an English country manor house that is home to the Covington family, an eccentric group of individuals who live next door to a single eccentric individual who, for various reasons, is not well-liked by the group of eccentric individuals.
It’s the evening of a congratulatory party for their friend, best-selling crime author Edwina Corey, who is so special they’re bringing out the good china. Corey is due there any minute on the 5:15 train, but unfortunately before she arrives, a murder occurs, the bridge washes out so the police can’t get there, and it ends up being all on Edwina to solve the case, à la Jessica Fletcher.
Or does it? Because it seems like everyone has a different theory and a different person they’re suspecting. But who really did it? Odds are it’s not who you think.
With plenty of red herrings along the way, The Butler Did It is the best kind of puzzle because the real clues are laid out for us, and it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together. Let’s discuss.
We know it wasn’t the victim himself, Trevor Barstow, so that rules him out. Played by Alex Gomez, Barstow oozes just the right amount of slime to make you not feel too sorry for his demise. Let’s face it, he’s a real creep, cozying up to the ladies, eavesdropping and sneaking around where he has no business being, and even missing church on Sunday. He says things like this to the maid he is hitting on. “That skinny thing? Why would I want to pick up a bone when I can have the whole cow?”
So who was his killer?
Was it Lisa Kerr as the doddering Gram in her nightcap, brandishing a shotgun that may or may not be loaded at any given time? Or was it the Colonel with a knife in the kitchen? The terrific Larry Bressler is larger-than-life as former Army man Nigel Covington, the patriarch who is torn between trying to find a husband for his unmarried Amelia Earhart-esque daughter Kat (Lauren Martino), and his sickly (is she really?) wife. As his spouse, Lady Miranda, who is worried about the effects of the homicide on their social standing, Kris Coffelt shines, and that’s not just due to her stunning dressing gown.
Last to arrive on the scene are the seemingly absent-minded local parish priest, Father Timothy (Dan Levine), who knows too many secrets, and has no trouble blabbing them to anyone who will listen, and the guest-of-honor herself, Edwina Corey (Alexis Mottesheard) who wastes no time getting right to the nasty business of interrogating the suspects.
Cockney maid, Sarah Jane, has some secrets of her own. Stephanie Manner does well here, although the heavy accent is a little hard to understand at times.
But it’s Jenkins, the once-trusted butler whose job it is to know everything in the household, who (cliché or not), steals the show. Brian Shaer is just sensational as the man whose life is appearing to unravel right before his eyes. Something happens at the end of Act One that allows him to break the fourth wall and speak with us, and he sparkles with delight, even laughing at his own jokes. Shaer’s scene with Lisa Kerr, as the feisty Gram who mistakes Jenkins for her deceased husband, Harold, is precious. And the scene where Jenkins has to get himself across the stage while tied to a chair is charming.
But, as the title indicates, despite his protestations of innocence, did the butler actually do it? After all, he is wearing a bandage on his hand and claims to have injured it cutting a lemon, so who knows? Shaer definitely keeps us guessing.
While it was great to see so many children in the audience, and they seemed to be enjoying it, anyone sitting behind them struggled to focus, so parents, by all means bring your kids because we’re all about introducing culture to the next generation, but please request upper-tier back-row placement if possible. Especially in a murder mystery, missing even one very important line can make the difference in solving it, or leaving the theater perplexed. Or a critic being able to do the play justice, like this one who was forced to change seats at intermission. And considering the whodunnit contest insert in the program book, with a prize at the end for anyone who gets it correct, being able to hear every word is an audience member’s right.
Both acts take place in the drawing room of the house with the killing occurring off-stage. While necessary due to plot logistics etc., it’s a bit of a disappointment not to see the death occurring. But better for the children also, so it’s fine.
Crew Jack Coffelt, Brian Shaer, and Dana Manner have created a living area that’s appropriately fitting for an English country manor house. Director and Light/Sound Designer Gary Solomons returns to CCP, bringing his wife, Anne, along for the ride as stage manager. He’s assisted by Laura Fulton and Brian Vasconcelos who have important jobs navigating the lighting and sound effects that are a big part in amping up the frivolity and suspense.
Huge commendations are in order to Kris Coffelt (Miranda), who is not only CCP’s Founder and Artistic Director but dressed the set, complete with grandfather clock, and designed the elegant costumes in conjunction with each cast member.
The Butler Did It is a roller coaster of reveals to keep you guessing up until you realize the little clues planted along the way were leading to a perfect finish. If you love murder mysteries, and even if you don’t, we heartily and rousingly suggest you attend Curtain Call Playhouse’s current production for a rollicking good time.
Get there early, and you might even be personally welcomed by Jenkins and Sarah Jane themselves.
Tip: While The Butler Did It is a hot commodity, take a sweater or jacket as the room will likely be unpleasantly cold. And don’t bother asking them to adjust the air conditioning because a few people tried to no avail. Funnily enough, one of their publicity emails is entitled Stay Warm in a Theatre!
Britin Haller is a freelance author and an editor for Turner Publishing. Her latest short story “So Many Shores in Crookland” can be read in the 150th issue of Black Cat Weekly. Britin’s latest edit, a cozy mystery novel called Dumpster Dying is by Michelle Bennington and available where books are sold. Find Britin across social media.
The Butler Did It from Curtain Call Playhouse runs through December 15 at the Willow Theatre at the Sugar Sand Park Community Center, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton; 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Running time approx. 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets $25, or $20 for a group of four or more. Call the box office at 561-347-3948 or visit curtaincallplayhouse.com.
