By Eva Trieger
SAN DIEGO — Local playwright, performer, lyricist, director, and teacher, Omri Schein, never fails to delight audiences regardless of which hat he is wearing. When his cleverly, witty, and innuendo-laden scripts are co-directed and acted by Phil Johnson, you know you’re in for exceedingly good fun. Now, the entire experience is put on steroids when you take some of San Diego’s finest actors and throw them into the comic, eccentric mix. Hilarity and ribaldry are abound in the The Roustabouts Theatre Company’s The Savoyard Murders.
Schein’s passion for mysteries coupled with his love and talent for musical theatre creates this over-the-top silly tale of an egomaniacal simpering critic who wants to be remembered. To secure this legacy, Tiberius Spriggs (Phil Johnson) holds an intimate soiree to which he invites individuals who are somehow involved with a murder, though just how is not clear. Each of these characters is really a character. Desdemona Chatfield-Snarr (Wendy Waddell) is an imperious widow, whose diminutive husband was crushed by a large overzealous, over-costumed actor. Cyrus Schock is described as a mediocre tenor who strikes an impressive pose. The seductive femme fatale, Rowena Rawlings (Taylor Henderson) has a shady backstory that she wants to keep buried. Director Balthazar Bellwood (Daren Scott), a rival of his host, claims to have discovered something of note concerning an operetta, er em, comic opera. The last guest, Ezra Dibble (Eliott Goretsky) is seemingly unrelated to these thespian types, a milner, with a penchant for fairy cakes. Finally, the evening’s attendees are rounded out by the loyal houseboy, Grizzle (David McBean). I could tell you so much more….but it’s a mystery!
Each of these actors is truly accomplished in his/her/their own right. Goretsky has performed at San Diego Musical Theatre and on numerous television shows. Henderson has been seen at San Diego Musical Theatre, Diversionary, and California Center for the Arts stage. Johnson has acted and directed at nearly every theatre in San Diego and has Broadway credits to his name as well. McBean has appeared at Cygnet, North Coast Rep, and Diversionary theatre. Murray is cheered for roles at New Village Arts, Diversionary, Moxie, and Intrepid Theatre companies. Scott, a founding member of New Village Arts, has also performed with Moxie, Backyard Renaissance Theatre, Intrepid, and Cygnet. Waddell graced stages at Welk, OnStage Playhouse, Scripps Ranch Theatre, Intrepid, New Village Arts, and several others. As you can see, the entire cast is multi talented and a beautiful representation of San Diego’s bevy of fine actors.
The hijinx is continuous as viewers are drawn into the silliness. The language itself is noteworthy, affected British inflection on herbaceous and spacious. Ridiculous nicknames are tossed about and the maxims that Balthazar Bellwood delivers are headscratchers. “As they say, life’s too short to stuff a pepper.” Huh? The script is laden with double entendres and the insults the characters sling at each other provide some insight into their connections, romantic liaisons, as well as their political and sexual proclivities.
The costumes are resplendent, thanks to Jennifer Brawn Gittings and Peter Herman created delightful wigs and hats for the actors, especially Johnson’s tiny hat! Yi-Chien Lee created an authentic London flat in this small space very deftly and authentically.
The Roustabouts Theatre Company has become known for high-calibre theatre, superb acting, high humor, and a guaranteed great theatre experience in the short time they’ve been on the local scene. The co-founders, Phil Johnson and Will Cooper, created the company with the goal of “entertaining, educating and inspiring” audiences, and they do so consistently.
This uplifting, playful adventure is sure to entertain and charm even the most devoted fans of the murder mystery genre.
Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com