Like San Francisco's Beach Blanket Babylon or London's The Mousetrap, this comical, interactive murder mystery breaks longevity records, and it may crank out another 25 years if the creators can continue to mine the news and local geography for topical one-liners. Written by Paul Pörtner and broadly directed by Chris Tarjan, it is a lively beginning for Laguna's 2006–07 season.
For about 15 minutes at the start of the show, the audience watches as customers come and go at Shear Madness Hair Styling Salon. This pantomime, punctuated by golden-oldies music, sets the mood for the antics that follow. When the music stops, the dialogue begins. Wildly gay, owner Tony Whitcomb (Joe Sampson) swishes about uttering lines such as, "I had a friend who swallowed his contacts, and for one brief moment he could read his own mind." This, by the way, is one of the more sophisticated gags delivered in this groan-fest that depends on naughty double-entendres and well-researched local references to propel it forward.
Tony's cosmetology associate is Barbara (Robin Long), spandex-clad and gorgeous. There is a mysterious man who drifts in and out of the salon who seems to have a relationship with her (Kevin Symons). A wealthy socialite (Tacey Adams) turns up along with a youthful Mikey Thomas (Brett Ryback) and a muscular Angels' fan, Nick Rossetti (Tarjan), who makes Tony's heart flutter. Suddenly a famous pianist who lives above the salon is murdered, and Rossetti and Thomas turn out to be cops. The audience is called into play. What are their theories? In recap, are the characters telling the truth about their actions?
This is a marvel of scripted action blending with improvisation. There's outrageous mugging, zingers aimed at the audience, and general hilarity. That the jokes are pretty awful doesn't seem to deter the playgoers. Bruce Goodrich's canary-yellow set, well-lighted by Paulie Jenkins, is a work of art. Sound by David Edwards also punches up the action.
For sheer escapism, this invention provides actors and audience with plenty of fun.
Presented by and at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna. Tue.-Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Jul. 16-Sep. 3. (949) 497-2787.