‘An Old-Fashioned Family Murder’ – A Whodunit at George Street Playhouse

Posted on October 23, 2025 by Karen Nowosad

Review – An Old-Fashioned Family Murder

Many theater goers enjoy going to see a “whodunit.” This genre of theater includes mystery stories involving some sort of crime being committed. There are elements of suspense and fun as it challenges the audience to figure out who is responsible. If you are in the mood to solve an onstage theatrical crime, go to George Street Playhouse and see An Old-Fashioned Family Murder.

Written by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro, this production is the playwright’s 8th collaboration with George Street Playhouse. In the Letter from the Artistic Producers in the program it says:

. . . it’s a joy to welcome him here once again. His trademark wit, warmth, and clever storytelling are on full display in this hilarious whodunit that celebrates the fun of a great mystery and the thrill of live theatre.

The play is clever storytelling filled with dialog and events that will get you laughing. It has all the elements that a good whodunit needs to entertain audiences. And for this presentation at GSP, you will have the pleasure of seeing a first rate cast as they seek to either keep their crime hidden or seek to find the guilty person.

The Story Features a Variety of Characters

Under the direction of Larry Raben, the setting for the play is spring, 1943 in the grand room of a grand mansion somewhere is the rainy northwest. Special effects such as an intense thunder and lighting storm taking place add to the feel of a mystery. A well stocked bar in the room features bourbon. Colonel Claythorne owns the home and lives there with his two daughters: Dotty Claythorne (Caitlin Kinnunen) and Clarice Claythorne (Allison Scagliotti).

A party/get together takes place with guest of honor mystery playwright Arthur Whittington (Tony Carlin). Whittington is a very successful author and he looks forward to doing some work on his next novel at the Claythorne home. Little do they know how sloppy he is while writing.

An Old Fashioned Family Murder GSP – Photo Credit T. Charles Erickson

That aside, he announces that the Colonel has just changed his will which originally stated that in the event of his death, his estate was to be divided equally between the two daughters. Whittington holds a sealed envelope and suddenly the murder of the Colonel is announced. Now, the contents of the envelope become very important. But even more important is that everyone in the house is suddenly a suspect. In addition to Whittington and the two duaghters, the suspects include:Jasper Jamison (Michael Even Williams) and Mrs. Shirley Peck (Sally Struthers).

An Old Fashioned Family Murder GSP – Photo Credit T. Charles Erickson

Enter the Police and Another Piece of Intriguing News

By a strange twist of fate, Detective Paul Peck (James Taylor Odom) arrives to investigate. Coincidentally, he is the son of guest Mrs. Shirley Peck. His father and Mrs. Peck’s husband was also a detective. Deceased now, Detective Peck Sr. was known for his stunning skills solving crimes.

This fabulously talented cast all have reason to be suspects. But Sally Struthers as Mrs. Shirley Peck steals the show. She plays a mother who is trying to demonstrate what a brilliant detective her son is. She does not miss one opportunity to point out how wonderful he is, just like his father was. However, the real reason for her husband’s superb career suddenly leaks out. You might say is it intriguing news but also a bit of mystery solved as well.

Eventually, the killer is identified. There is no way you are going to get any more information about who it is from this review. After all, a good mystery is waiting to be solved when you go to see this show. You will be glad you did.

Tickets and Other Information

An Old-Fashioned Family Murder runs now through November 2, 2025. Tickets and more information are available at the George Street Playhouse website.

Run time is approximately 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission.

Special Performances Include:

  • Open Caption (English) – October 25th at 2PM
  • Audio Description – October 25th at 2PM
  • Symposium – October 26th at 2PM

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‘Bull Durham the Musical’ Brings the Joys of Baseball to Paper Mill Playhouse

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Karen Nowosad
The Durham Bull Mascot and the Company of Bull Durham
Photo credit Curtis Brown

It is said that baseball is America’s pastime. The game creates a culture all its own whether it’s on the professional level or right in our own communities. And that’s what Bull Durham The Musical does so well. It provides a look into the culture of a baseball minor league team from Durham, North Carolina. The community support for the Durham Bulls allows us to see the joys, the losses, and those great baseball superstitions.

Bull Durham the Musical brings the classic 1988 movie to life on the stage. With a book written by Ron Shelton, the story basically follows the one told in the movie with some changes made to accommodate a stage production. Direction of the entire show is by Marc Bruni.

Bull Durham the Musical is a very entertaining and enjoyable show to see. A superb cast acts, sings, and dances to tell a heart warming story. You’ll even have a chance to feel like you are at a real game as that Durham Bull leads the audience in a rousing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Bull Durham’s Superb Cast Tells the Story

The story line unfolds effortlessly through a superb cast. Broadway veteran Carmen Cusack is outstanding as Annie Savoy. With her beautiful singing, she portrays the many sides of her character. Annie is a part time community college teacher who also is the Durham Bulls part time behind the scenes coach. Each season, Annie focuses on one player and she applies her own somewhat unusual ideas of how a player can do his best for the team as well as for himself.

Carmen Cusack as Annie Savoy – Photo credit Curtis Brown

This season, Annie’s choices are between Crash Davis and Nuke LaLoosh. Nik Walker plays Crash Davis. With his outstanding singing voice, he portrays his character as the mature player that he is. This is his last chance to try to make it to “the show.” But the team management wants him to help develop their new pitching star, Nuke LaLoosh. Will Savarese does a wonderful job of capturing Nuke’s main problem: too much unfocused energy! He portrays this energy through his antics both on and off the field. Seeing the need to be fulfilled, Annie makes her selection by taking on Nuke. However, her real love interest is Crash.

There are several side plots including Millie (Ashlyn Maddox) who wants to marry and does this season. She lands Jimmy (Andrew Poston). Their scenes both planning and actually marrying right on the ball field are some of the funniest in the show.

The Bulls break their losing streak and have a most amazing season. Their road trip is hilarious and Annie’s theories about reading poetry and wearing items under a uniform make for some good laughs.

Additional actors in the show include Joel Ashur as Larry and James Moye as Skip. Nick Wyman is in the announcer’s booth as Uncle Roy.

Music and Dancing

Susan Werner’s music and lyrics are energizing as they contribute to the development of the story and the characters as well. Some of the most impressive songs include: “The Church of Baseball,” “I Believe,” “Winning,” “Every Woman Deserves to Wear White,” and “The Show.”

One of the outstanding dance numbers – Photo Credit Curtis Brown

Equally impressive are the high energy, exciting dance moments in the show. At times, you feel like you are seeing a ball game in progress danced out instead of being played on the field.

The amazing choreography comes from Joshua Bergasse. It features an excellent ensemble including: Mike Baerga, Ellie Barone, Tre’ Booker, Jacob Burns, Daniel DiPinto, Benny Elledge, Diana Huey, Ashton Lambert, Brian Shimasaki Liebson, Jessi Little, Carson Hampton Palmer, Valentina Shelton, Jake Trammel, Dori Waymer, Matt Wiercinski, Casey Wortham, and Blake Zelesnikar.

About Going to the Show

The run time of the show is approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes with one intermission. There is a suggested age range of 13+ because of a content warning involving adult language and mature themes.

There is an effects warning in place involving theatrical haze, flashing lights, strobe effects, and loud sounds which are featured in this production.

Bull Durham continues to run through November 2, 2025. Tickets may be purchased at the Paper Mill’s website.

With construction being done on site, parking is available on limited basis. Shuttle service is also available. More details are on the website.

The Carriage House is currently closed. However, three concessions are open including the Durham Dugout, Gallery Cafe, and Lobby Bar. The evening I attended was perfect outdoor weather so eating outside at the Durham Dugout made us feel like we were at ball park!

Photo of entrance to Durham Dugout – Photo by K. Nowosad
At the Durham Dugout Concessions – Good food including great hot dogs Photo – K. Nowosad

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‘The Pitch’ at Actor’s Temple Theatre is Funny and Poignant

Posted on October 20, 2025 by Karen Nowosad

A new play titled The Pitch is now open Off-Broadway at the Actor’s Temple Theatre. Written by Tom Alper, The Pitch could qualify as a dark comedy as it focuses on personal and work experiences of one man. Directed by Mike Keller, The Pitch is loosely based on events in Playwright Alper’s own life. He also plays the lead role with a character name of Tom.

What ensues and develops throughout the show is funny at times and a bit mysterious as well. You get the feeling that something is going on beneath the surface but you aren’t quite sure until you come towards the end of the play. The revelation makes sitting through the entire performance well worth it.

The Story

The setting for the play is in Torrance, California in 2006. The office is no-frills where desks with telephones prevail.

Tom (Tom Alper) is introduced as a widow who cares for his teenage daughter, Michelle (Sammi O’Connor). Trying to do the right thing for her is a full time job for Tom. In fact, it is his only job. He needs work. After meeting with an employee of Nexus one night at a bar, he lands a job there.

One his first day, Tom attempts to find out what the job is all about. Eventually, he discovers that the purpose of the business is to sell electronic components. Selling is the name of the game here. Even if it means selling refurbished components without telling that to the customer.

However, Tom realizes quickly on he has to do very well after I.R.S. agent Mel (Phil Hendrie) informs him that he owes back taxes. Consequences are high. Tom accepts a deal to be an informant for the government on the actions of the company. Not a comfortable spot to be in.

Tom steps up to the plate quickly as he attempt to sell to Angela (Julie Tran) on the telephone.This is one of the funniest scenes in the play as Tom romances Angels into a big sale. And suddenly, he is at the top of the heap in the office, impressing even big boss Mike (Joe Lorenzo).

The ending is very surprising. As I wrote in the beginning of this review, I said the play is both funny and poignant. And here comes the poignant with the ending. But bear in mind one statement that Mike makes and it will make sense when you see this play: Mike thinks of the employees who work at Nexus as his family.

The Characters

The story is well carried out by the characters who work in the office. Nicknames are reverently given and used with the exception of the big boss, Mike. You meet: Skunk (Joey Russo), The Kid (Connor Killeen), Ricky Roy (Mario Corry), and Scramby (Kevin Bartini).

Dialog is funny and well written to allow the characters to show various sides of themselves.

The set is open allowing the characters to display how a real office doing this kind of work might actually look.

Go to See The Pitch

The Pitch is an enjoyable show to see. The cast does a superb job of telling the story.

It runs now through November 17, 2025 at the Actor’s Temple Theatre on W. 47th Street. Visit their website for more information and to purchase tickets.

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