Studio Theatre to present classic '40s film mystery
Posted Mar 11, 2010 By EMC News
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Tweet ThisEMC Entertainment - He was in love with her. Yet he couldn't be. She was only a phantom woman in a portrait. The real Laura was dead. Or was she?
When Detective Mark McPherson is assigned to investigate the brutal murder of the beautiful and successful Laura Hunt, he has no idea he will be so attracted to this woman he knows only through her personal effects, her portrait, and the three men who loved her.
Presented by the Studio Theatre, 'Laura' by Vera Caspary and George Sklar is a classic murder mystery guaranteed to keep you wondering who dunnit right to the very last scene. A "noir" piece that probes the dark secrets of its four main characters, Laura might best be remembered for the haunting theme music from the 1943 movie starring Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney. It is a theme you will hear again, before and after the play, and during intermissions.
Mark McPherson, played by Hugh Phillips, slowly and inexorably unravels the mystery of Laura's death, bringing each of the suspects under uncompromising scrutiny. Paul Roach is the bombastic Waldo Lydecker, Laura's mentor and oldest friend, and Lucas Tennant is Shelby Carpenter, her fiancé. Norma Cummings is the faithful cook/housekeeper and Nelson McCullogh is Danny, the love-smitten teen from upstairs. Nelson also plays Olsen, a police officer. Joanna McAuley plays Danny's disapproving mother, and Annette Huton makes a surprise appearance as "the girl."
One of the highlights of the play is the painting of Laura herself. Perth artist Rosemary Kralik generously donated her time and talent to paint this striking portrait that dominates the set and comes to haunt Mark McPherson. A true Renaissance woman who is also experienced in numerous other disciplines, Rosemary is a commission artist who has done many evocative portraits, not only of people but of their animals as well. You can see examples of her intriguing work on her website: www.abrushwithimmortality.com
Laura plays at the Studio Theatre, March 18, 19, 20 and March 26, 27 at 8 p.m. and March 21 and 28 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $18 in advance or $20 at the door and are available from Shadowfax (1-800-518-2729), The Book Nook and the Bookworm in Perth. Call the theatre office at 613-267-SHOW (7469). The Studio Theatre is located at 63 Gore Street East, overlooking the Tay Basin.
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