‘Murder Among Friends’ Forgiven

WESTMINSTER — It’s New Year’s Eve in Manhattan. Broadway star Palmer Forrester and his wife, Angela, one of the richest young women in the country, are finding their marriage less than it might be. That’s why Angela (Paulette Kendall) and Palmer’s young agent, Ted (Michael Roberts), plan to murder the unsuspecting Palmer (John Bolen), leaving them free to marry.

Their plan is foolproof. With the aid of a hit man (Aaron Abrams) posing as a burglar, their agenda is detailed down to the second. They even have witnesses to keep suspicion from falling on them.

The first half of Bob Barry’s “Murder Among Friends” is a well-crafted puzzle, heightened when the author gets Angela out of the room and Palmer smiles at Ted. “Is everything going according to plan?” he asks. “Come to Papa.” Their passionate embrace is a shock to the audience, followed by laughter at the anticipation of a knot of intrigue.

The complexity of the knot is what undoes the intrigue. Barry’s cleverness leaves too many loose ends, and the intents of the characters and a lot of logic go by the wayside. It doesn’t take away from the fun of the evening, though. The plot twists and abrupt about-faces are engaging in spite of Barry’s carelessness in Act 2, and there’s abundant humor.

Karla Abrams’ direction helps a great deal. Her timing is taut, and her staging is interesting. She has also gathered a fine cast to help intertwine the plot’s threads.

*

Kendall conjures up a picture of her poor little rich girl Angela, childish and spoiled but charming, and with an underlying vein of strength that finally flowers. As the brash young agent whose real game is never divulged, Roberts is excellent, giving his character just the right New York agent flavor and a touch of Manhattan accent.

At times, Bolen is a touch too theatrical as the Broadway ham, but when he calms down his opaque delivery is just right. Abrams lets his brashness get out of hand once in a while as the hit man who is an out-of-work actor, but his sharp timing makes up for it.

Robert W. Lupo and Cleta Cohen, as Palmer’s producer and his ex-chorus-girl-type wife, competently complete the agreeable cast that makes a difficult script look better than it is.

* “Murder Among Friends,” Westminster Community Playhouse, 7272 Maple St. Friday-Saturday, 8:30 p.m. Ends Dec. 13. $11. (714) 527-5546. Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.

Paulette Kendall: Angela Forrester

Michael Roberts: Ted Cotton

John Bolen: Palmer Forrester

Cleta Cohen: Gert Saidenberg

Robert W. Lupo: Marshall Saidenberg

Aaron Abrams: Larry Prosciutto

A Westminster Community Theatre production of Bob Barry’s mystery. Produced by Mark D. Lyen. Scenic design/directed by Karla Abrams. Lighting design: Aaron Abrams. Sound design: Mark D. Lyen. Stage manager: Connie Harris.