Lifestyles

New London Barn Playhouse presents ‘Murder For Two’

NEW LONDON — It’s a dark and stormy New Hampshire night at the New London Barn Playhouse when suddenly the lights go out! There’s a scream! When the lights come up once more on the 86th Summer Season, there has been a murder! Not just any murder: “Murder For Two,” a musical comedy running Aug. 22–Sept. 2, with showtime at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday matinee performances at 2 p.m. and Sunday performances at 5 p.m.

“Murder for Two” is described as a love letter to the drawing room mystery in the vein of Agatha Christie, crafted from equal parts classic musical and classic comedy. Officer Marcus Moscowicz is a beat cop with big dreams of becoming a detective. When novelist Arthur Whitney turns up deader than his last book, Moscowicz will have to act quickly and work his way through scheming psychiatrists, melodramatic marriage partners, boastful ballerinas, and a whole parade of colorful characters to crack the case before the real detective arrives. 

Starring in this production as Marcus and all the suspects is a pair of performers who are no strangers to the unique challenges of this show, having previously played their roles for the National Touring Production of “Murder for Two.” Brandon Lambert, a Barn newcomer who composed the musicals “At First Sight” and “Serious Leigh,” will play Marcus Moscowicz. The other half of this dynamic duo playing all the suspects is Kyle Branzel, another new face at the Barn whose past credits include “Piggy Nation” Off-Broadway, “Buyer & Cellar” at Weston Playhouse as well as the national tour of “Henry and Mudge.”

Leading this hilarious production as director and choreographer is Anthony C. Daniel, whose most recent credits include the world premiere of “Grumpy Old Men” (associate director), “Songs For a New World” (Off-Broadway) and who serves as resident casting director for the Ogunquit Playhouse. Daniel, whose direction is supported by staggering music supervision from Robbie Cowan (2018’s “Little Women” and “Newsies”) who will also understudy both roles, exquisite sets from Vincent Gunn (2018’s “Sylvia”), fortifying lights from Keith Truax (2018’s “Newsies”) and fetching costumes from Barn newcomer Dustin Cross (“Spamilton” Off-Broadway), will be bringing us a “Murder For Two” that will have the audience dying of laughter and guessing all the way to the end.

Tickets start at $20 for adults and are available at nlbarn.org/tickets, by phone at (603) 526-6710 or at the New London Barn Playhouse box office every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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