Kicking off its 50th season with a bang, Chautauqua Playhouse’s newest production, “Accomplice,” is a delightfully deceptive show that will keep the audience guessing every step of the way until the lights go out for the final time.
If you only go to one show for the rest of this year — though I’d urge you not to limit yourself in such a manner — “Accomplice” would be a worthwhile choice.
The play, penned by Rupert Holmes —who you might remember from his hit song, “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” — is chock full of misdirects, surprises, rug pulls and other means of moving the unfolding narrative into unexpected directions, with each of the play’s four scenes ending in a cleverly laid out trap.
One thing that isn’t a surprise is that the show netted multiple awards, including the Edgar Award from Mystery Writers of America.
When the show first opens, nothing seems amiss; just a man named Derek Taylor returning to his secluded cottage after a day of work in London. His wife, Janet, played by local playwright and high school teacher Deni Scofield, welcomes him home while she peppers their repartee with a few humorous comments on his apparent disinterest in certain marital activities since their honeymoon.
Things take a turn, however, when she offers to mix him a drink and she slips away to her purse to procure an additional ingredient that seems highly suspect. From that moment on, the twists don’t stop until final bows. Rest assured, this review will shy away from any spoilers, leaving you would-be sleuths the chance to discuss how you think the show will close during intermission.
Though the thrills keep coming, the show also continues to deliver laugh after laugh thanks to a devilishly witty script performed by a comedically skillful cast. A skim through the playbill and the actors’ bona fides sets expectations high, with decades upon decades of experience from the four-person team.
Those expectations are exceeded, with Scofield, Bill Zarriello and Katie Smith-Induni all bringing incredible energy to their roles. A special mention must be made to the impressive efforts of Tom Loeprich; though the showing of “Accomplice” I attended did not have Michael Keeney as the leading man, understudy Loeprich did such an incredible turn at the role that you’d swear the part had been made for him.
On the technical side of things, the show continues to impress, with subtle but fantastic special effects and a fine eye for detail. The set, designed by director John Ewing and lighting and set designer Andrew Fiffick, is perfectly evocative of an English cottage, and their eye for detail went as far as making sure they had the European-style electrical socket installed on the wall.
Parents should be advised that the content skews to adult topics, with innuendo and murder never too far away; children under 13 years of age will not be admitted, according to Chautauqua’s ticket page. Though there’s certainly bawdy humor aplenty, don’t let that lead you to think all the laughs are so cheap; Holmes’ script leaves ample room for humor that’s laser-targeted at a play-going audience familiar with the ins and outs of theater.
“Accomplice” at the Chautauqua Playhouse will run through Sunday, Sept. 21, with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Chautauqua Playhouse is located at 5325 Engle Road #110 in the La Sierra Community Center in Carmichael.
⏳ Tickets can be purchased at the door or online.
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By Odin Rasco
