Endicott College Mainstage's "Murdered to Death": A Hilarious and Fresh Whodunit

It’s not that difficult to solve a murder.

Endicott College presents “Murdered to Death” by Peter Gordon. What starts as an average evening with several guests gathering for a dinner party at a country manor house, transcends into murder madness. As the bumbling detectives investigate, secrets unravel, heads turn, and suspicions arise.

I always enjoy walking down memory lane when I return to Endicott College to see their shows. The college’s mainstage production of “Murdered to Death” was a hit among audiences. What I thought would be your average who-done-it murder story, was actually an uproarious play that infused a fresh take on the genre.

A team of ten skillful actors take the stage in “Murdered to Death.” Each actor is equally talented, donning excellent comedic chops, character depth, and energy. The cast has great chemistry, and plays off one another’s energy very well.

For this dinner party, the guests arrive, ringing the door bell one-by one. From uptight aristocrats, to clueless guests, and slow-witted butlers, you know it’s going to be an interesting night when multiple egos fill the room. The feelings and opinions of one another are evident.

Mildred (Jessica Parent), the wealthy owner of the Bagshot House and Dorothy (Ashley Barrus), Mildred’s niece start the play. Bunting (J.T. Kilburn), the butler, welcomes their first guests, Colonel Charles Craddock and his wife, Margaret (Jack Nathanson and Grace Wilberg-Pichetti). The colonel enjoys rambling on in stories, much to everyone’s annoyance.

The next guests to arrive are Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington, (Gabrielle Pena) a high society woman, and Pierre (Atlas Scarlata), a French art dealer. The final guest is Joan Maple (Kayrena Meyers), a spinster amateur sleuth. The characters have questionable motives, which is why you should pay attention to their every move and interaction.

At the call of murder, in arrives Constable Thompkins and Inspector Pratt, played remarkably by Tatum Corbett and Ella White. Corbett and White gave a whole new definition to bumbling cops. I couldn’t stop laughing at their scenes.

The cast puts a new spin on characters. Butlers and police officials have had the usual depictions, but J.T. Kilburn and Ella White change the game with their interpretations.

Kilburn brings hysterical deadpan humor, and subtle physical comedy when his character walks. As for White, she bursts with energy, quick wit, and even physical comedy! Instead of making a normal walk across the stage, she dramatically rolls over a couch. The audience laughed at their scenes.

Speaking of the audience reaction, I enjoyed the responses from everyone. Comedy is essential right now, because we could all use a laugh. Laughter is the best medicine. The best gasp I have ever heard sounded from the audience at a revelation.

“Murdered to Death” is Kyle Gregory’s stage debut at Endicott College. He takes a straightforward murder mystery and turns it into something more. He also allowed his cast to improvise, giving them freedom in how they conducted scenes.

One other aspect that Gregory paid attention to was the setting. It plays a big part of the show. Scenic designer Nick Raponi built a comfy living room set, adjoined with sofas, a decorated rug, pictures on the wall, and doors leading offstage.

“Murdered to Death” has a fantastic technical crew. Their hard work bring the production to life from sound, lighting, costumes, and stage managers who help the show go on from backstage. The effects for thunder and lightning add a nice dark touch.

Catch this laugh-out-loud murder mystery playing in the Rose Theater at Endicott College until Sunday, Nov. 9. It’s a comedy everyone needs.