Stage Review - The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens (Jewel Box)

Stage Review - The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens
Presented By: Jewel Box Theatre - Poulsbo, WA
Show Run: September 13 - September 29, 2024
Date Reviewed: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Reviewed By: Greg Heilman

I’ve said it before, there’s nothing like good professional theatre, a group of experienced performers presenting something big, or something new, or something important. But, what’s not said enough is how refreshing it is to see really good community theatre, a team comprised predominantly (if not entirely) of volunteers, a cast that is onstage for no other reason than they love being there, and together a group that it’s clear is just having a whole lot of fun. In The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens, that’s exactly what the Jewel Box Theatre in Poulsbo has, a really good example of community theatre. The show, directed by Linda Jensen, runs on stage through September 29 and is a highly entertaining and fun decomposition of a murder mystery. It’s like when a magician shows an audience how a trick works, while also still surprising them with the result. The fun of that is not just the result, but also the way in which the magician gets to it, and that’s exactly what “The Plot” is. This is the story of a playwright, really his alter ego, developing a murder mystery, providing the audience with his recipe for its construction, and still providing an ending that isn’t telegraphed in any way. And it’s drop dead funny.

The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens, was written by playwright Billy Wayne St. John, but it’s the playwright within the play’s alter ego, Walter, who introduces the audience to what they’re about to take in. From describing the nature and relationships of the characters, to explaining how he builds suspense, there’s nothing hidden here, no smoke and no mirrors. Once the introductions have completed, Walter steps aside, only to come on the stage later as Edward Worthington, proprietor of Worthington manor and, of course, very, very rich. Worthington has invited a whole group of murder mystery tropes to his birthday party, ostensibly because he wants to shine the light on someone in the group who has been unfaithful to him, but his plan is to hold off as long as he can. And of course, everyone thinks they’re the one to be singled out, as each has a reason for it, but it also gives everyone a potential motive for, you guessed it, murder. The guests include Worthington’s ex-wife Justine Worthington (Angelique Moran), his current and soon to be next ex-wife Allegra Blackwell Worthington (Arianna Wells), his secretary with benefits Peggy Sue Brumley (Maile Olsen), and his and Justine’s daughter Debra (Noa Rehder). His ex and possibly future wives aren’t the only ones invited, though. Edward’s older sister Beatrice (Nita Wilson), Allegra’s playboy brother Tony Blackwell (Eric Hayes), his business manager Roy Phillips (Stephen Dearborn) and his wife Connie (Leslie Allen), and his attorney Lawrence Tate (Kim Sellick) have also been invited, and along with the staff, housekeeper Mrs. Vickers (Rilla Hughes), maid Edith (Lex Van Horn), and cook Ina (Neicie Packer), the estate is chock full of suspects.

The actor playing Walter in this Jewel Box production is Mark Jackson, who also represents Edward Worthington, and in Act 2 Lt. James McMillan. I think that alone tells you all you need to know about the plot, as I said, there’s no mystery to the mystery here, and that’s the beauty of this play, it knows both what it is and what it isn’t. But as in the magician deconstructing a trick, again, it’s the fun of the journey. It’s Mark Jackson, the enthusiastic playwright’s alter ego, quickly switching from that persona to the gruff detective McMillan, or the elitist Worthington just by popping a fedora on his head. His best scenes are when he’s either of the two characters in the mystery and he steps out to say something to the audience, like “Do you see what I did there?” as the playwright, or should I say the alter ego of the playwright. The hat goes back on and it’s back to interrogation mode. It’s also Arianna Wells as wife number two, snooty and with an air of superiority, but at the same time facing the realization that she’s pretty much aged out of her marriage to Edward. I like Arianna’s performance, her facial expressions are priceless and she’s fun to watch try to keep her emotions in check, until she can’t. Arianna always brings something special to the parts she plays, and this is no exception. Meanwhile, Maile Olsen’s Peggy Sue is every bit the girl in waiting, with a southern drawl that Edward surely finds endearing, an accent that Maile presents very well. Justine is the ex-wife with an attitude, and she’s balancing her disdain for Edward with support for their daughter Debra. Angelique is solid as Justine, confident and strong, while Noa Rehder is a good Debra. Perhaps the most entertaining out of all of the characters, though, is Edward’s confused older unmarried sister, and one who dabbles a bit with kleptomania, Beatrice. Nita Wilson steals the show as Beatrice, she draws some of the loudest laughs from the audience in a show that is very funny all around. Other highlights across this ensemble, and it is a good ensemble as most murder mysteries require, are Stephen Dearborn as the uptight business manager with questionable ethics, Kim Sellick as the attorney with a chip on his shoulder, and Neicie Packer as the foreign, and opinionated cook Ina. And it’s not just the mystery of it all, there’s all of the hilarity that surrounds Tony, the playboy. Eric Hayes is funny here as well, eyeing up almost anything that moves and facing the repercussions that result from that behavior. His interactions with Rilla Hughes’ Mrs. Vickers are especially fun. This cast does work well together and honestly, the best part of it all is that they look like they’re having a good time. And there’s nothing more contagious than a cast that is enjoying the work they’re doing on stage.

There’s also the creative side of this show and a scenic design which of course resembles those living rooms that we all associate with Agatha Christie, those gathering places where everyone sits at first to meet and then later for their interrogation, and finally to have the verdict thrust upon them. There’s also the front door, parlor, kitchen, and french doors that are an alternate exit to the grounds, each implied but rife with importance in the storytelling. It could be me, but it seems like the set that Bill Klorig has built for Linda Jensen’s vision has more entrances and exits than anything I’ve seen at the Jewel Box. And what is a murder mystery without a thunderstorm, perhaps the ultimate trope. David Ward’s lighting definitely provides the needed effect and the way that it’s used to bring out the self-effacing humor in the play is perfect for this production. Finally, credit to Costumer Paula Knight for also contributing to the overall homogeneous nature of the design with costumes that fit the style of the genre as well as that of the characters.

You can tell everything you need to know about The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens, by its name. It sounds fun and a bit silly. And if that’s what you think it is, the Jewel Box Theatre production of it should prove that you’ve hit the nail on the head. In what I consider a perfect example of what community theatre is all about, Director Linda Jensen has produced a deconstructed murder mystery in the best way, with a thoroughly enjoyable cast and a creative vision that is more a satire of the genre than anything, but one that at the same time doesn’t give itself away. You might not die laughing from The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens, but you’ll surely come away from it with quite the stitch in your side.

The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens runs on stage at the Jewel Box Theatre in Poulsbo through September 29. For more information, including ticket availability and salves, visit https://www.jewelboxpoulsbo.org/.

Photo credit: Michelle Peterson