I have found myself quite busy these past few weeks. With all this running and rehearsing, the theatre is becoming more and more a prominent theme across it all. Crafting costumes and setting the scene for Halloween, making time for family and friends, tearing up the dance floor at weddings, and enduring the drama of funerals, it all seems to make a strange sense of coincidence and chaos made comfortable. The stage has never quite had so much significance, and finding it everywhere is an exhausting exhilaration. It gives me peace and pause, especially when you find it in places where you might not have looked before. It’s especially ironic when you find yourself starting at the end.
Review #1: The Final Murder Mystery
I feel so awkward writing this review without knowing more than what I know about the past 16 years of spectacle that was the Hudson Foundation’s Annual Murder Mystery helmed relentlessly by Pam Smoke. I can only truly claim to have seen a few of them, and that’s including this final, remarkable curtain call, This chaotic finale will make no sense to anyone except those who have been to at least one of them. In fact, to the purely cynical eye, the comedy is more of a disjointed farce than anything “professional”. However, the improvisation of the people I grew up with and have known for my whole life is just what made these dinner shows so special to begin with. Portrayed by the monoliths of talent and humor of this community, like the remarkable Dave and Jan Rickard, Denise Handy playing the extremely multifaceted Carllota Carnegie with her husband Rick reprising the role of the One Ranger, the remarkably charismatic Josh Stiverson doing an iconic Elvis impression, and John Enerson who just seemed to portray the character of a perpetually stoned jester beautifully.
However, the show revolved around the cunning, yet still fumbling with his lines, detective and judge Cadfail portrayed by Dennis Smoke. This remarkably meta story has the detective try to solve what appears to be his own murder that he himself has seemingly committed. There were references to past events galore and the walls of the American Legion lined with pictures and mugshots from various perpetrators of time gone by.
However, perhaps the most heartfelt segments of revelry and reflection came from the musical interludes between acts titled The Off’d Keys, in which Dave did a lovely song for Janet’s birthday, Abby Smoke as Ariel Aurora did a mismatched version of “Part of That World” called “Part of That Case”, Josh’s heartfelt rendition of “No More Murders”, and as a grand finale of the series the entire cast and crew gathered to sing “We Are The Cast”, a parody of “We Are The World “ that was as touching as it was comically written. I found myself humming the song for hours after the final bows were made.
I honestly found myself caught up in this momentous occasion. Surrounded by the community I love to celebrate this quintessential, yet deeply humorous display of pride and passion was incredible. It wasn’t the grandest spectacle, nor was it intended to be, but the greatest moments of our lives are often placed like this. Seeing the people who you have known for years be their best, most silly, and most creative selves is a blessing that keeps on giving for years to come. I am sad to see such a wonderful thing slip into the past, but I am glad to have been to a meager few. Thank you for Pam Smoke and Ben Mitchell, but mainly Pam, hosting these wonderful, silly, and spectacular events for so many years. The memories will truly last forever.
With that sentiment in mind let me have a brief interlude on the opposite side of the spectrum with…
Review #2: Young Frankenstein at The Croswell
What can I possibly say about this show that isn’t what other people are already saying? It’s a phenomenal, monstrous, wonderful festival of pure comedy bliss. The spectacle is as stellar as the acting and singing itself, with absolutely everyone bringing this laugh fest to life. It is on the stage for only one more weekend, so get your tickets while you can. Seriously, do it. You truly don’t want to miss this lightning in a bottle that will have you jolting for days and weeks afterwards.
Of course. one of the things that resonated with me the most was seeing the people I recognized on the stage, showcasing their incredible talent. Several of my friends from SpongeBob starred in the show and it was so refreshing to see them putting on the wonderful ritz. Even the people I didn’t know were absolute gems to see craft such comedic genius.
Conclusion
In essence, I truly think that is what makes any and all live performances of theatre or music so powerful. No matter whether we know the people in the world of reality or fiction, live theatre brings us into a whole world unlike any recorded reality can. We become a part of the experience because life is happening right in front us. A different, more emotional or imaginative life than our own reality often gives us, but a life we can live in nonetheless and are actually present in. We watch theatre to see people we know and don’t know transform and transcend into their best, worst or different selves in the hope that transformation will transform us, if only for a momentary release or a more profound change.
In the 2023 documentary Remembering Gene Wilder, the titular actor who developed the film Young Frankenstein with Mel Brooks was quoted in saying “I don’t want to leave Transylvania.” I saw two plays this week preformed by friends and family that I genuinely didn’t want to leave the worlds of. Whether it was the American Legion of past curtain calls or the grand spotlight of the future, I truly was left laughing in awe in both directions.
The simplicity of life can move us as much as the grandeur, all it takes is passion.
I’m blessed to be surrounded by such people.
Calm and Cultured 