Theater Review—

Sherman Is Offering A Riveting ‘Ravenscroft’

By June April

SHERMAN — Sherman Players’ production of Ravenscroft is one of those projects where it all works:  set, superb acting, gripping script and effective lighting. Continuing on weekends only until September 1, this is a play for all ages.

Though it is billed as a murder mystery, Ravenscroft is heavily sprinkled with maliciously delicious and ribald humor. The comic elements and tension are most skillfully balanced by director Jocelyn Beard.

Playwright Don Nigro has a creative and unusual sense of wacky, twisted theatre which is so very refreshing for a somewhat jaded reviewer to experience. There were no rustling papers or snores; clearly it was a totally engrossed audience during an opening weekend performance.

A Midwesterner from Ohio, Nigro, who is only 50 or so years old, playwright loves to play with language. He is quoted in the program as saying, “My work is a little eccentric and not mainstream, so a lot of times it needs to find  brave little theatres willing to do them.”

The 76 years that Sherman Players, a historically interesting and charming theatre company, has been in existence has seen a loyal and ever-increasing audience. Its productions have been creatively directed and staged. Ravenscroft  is right up there with an evening joyously spent in entertaining theatre.

The actors in this production, five women and one man, are on stage throughout the play. They remain totally involved, in character, even when they are out of the limelight and sitting down, waiting to come forward to perform.

Making his debut with Sherman Players, Allen Middleton was an appropriate choice as the tenacious Inspector Ruffing.

Sixteen-year-old Shannon Kennedy is entrancing as the rather unbalanced Lolita-type daughter of the wealthy Ravencroft family. This is also her first time involved with Sherman Playhouse. Her face and body language were beautifully controlled, with perfect timing and reactions.

The main suspect in this murder-thriller is the beautiful, inscrutable governess, Marcy. Heather McNeil, who portrays Marcy, is the theatre department chair at Connecticut Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Her role strongly echoed the Greek character Phaedra in her passion tempered with sharpness and secrecy.  She humbles herself to no man, though there are some moments.

Alternating between classy and plebeian, Louise Kaminer is a delectably manipulative widow. It is both her husband’s death, and her lover’s, that becomes part of the conundrum the play explores. But a piece of the puzzle has been divulged, so nothing else will be said about her. As the grand dame Mrs Ravenscroft, Ms Kaminer is a knock-out.

The two servants,  Mrs French and Dolly, are an integral part of the convoluted mystery. Coming to theater after a career in journalism, Mar Walker, as the somewhat strident Mrs French, appears to be doing a lot of embroidery doing this show. Is there a bit of Madame LaFarge in this character?

Also a newcomer to Sherman Playhouse, Marie Phelan is incredibly funny as Dolly, who is supposed to be a bit “backward.” Actually she is in another physical state. (Enough said.)

The back of the set focuses on a staircase.  It is key to this production. Artistically presented and resplendent in red, its presence is always visible, even in low lighting.

Lighting is a sculptural as well as psychological factor in theatre. Peter Petrino deserves special recognition for the effects he created in Ravenscroft.

(Curtain is Friday and Saturday evening at 8 pm, with one matinee scheduled for Sunday, August 19, at 3 pm. For tickets or directions to the theater, which is behind the firehouse at the intersection of routes 37 and 39, call 860-354-3622.)