Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

June Reif wears three hats for the Dreamweaver’s production of Vera Caspary mystery drama “Laura”:director, set designer, and painter. Laura is based on a novel by Vera Caspary. It was adapted in to a film under the direction of Otto Preminger in 1944. June strives to respect the time of the film’s genre in her designs. As a director, she retains realism in the performers.

As a set designer, she raises the bar for all community theatre set designers. It is the most visually artistic, detailed, and original design that I have seen in any college or community theatre. She captures the feel of “film noir” in silver, grey, white, and black tones of the furniture, props, costumes, and decor. Every item on the stage is detailed to suit the art deco theme. Her stage crew, John Anderson and John Payne, had especially researched the art deco era, and thus crafted furniture pieces for the set. She, also, carefully enlisted the help of Joe Adams for lighting design. The music of Jelly Roll Morton and Benny Goodman congruous with the time era. For the set design alone, the production must be seen by theatre enthusiasts.

Reif had carefully selected her cast to compliment the dramatic integrity of the stage design. Laura takes place in an apartment where the occupant’s body is found murdered. Detective Mark McPherson, performed handsomely, and without any affectation, by Justin Scheur, falls in love with the victim as he stares at her chilling and life-like black and white portrait on stage. June Reif painted the portrait herself to great such artistic mastery, that it resembles the actress, Kathryn Tekel, who plays a girl mysteriously appearing in the apartment that looks like exactly like the murdered victim. Tekel complimented the natural style of Sheur as the detective. Stewart Evan Smith, a dynamic young actor, performs the role of a likely murder suspect and Laura’s fiance, Shelby Carpetner. At times, he can relax his expressions. Yet, his movement demonstrate confidence. He masters his character’s southern dialect.

Tekel posseses the physical allure to match her resembled character’s ability to gain the affection of her male neighbors, other likely murder suspects. High school student, Sam Burch, makes his debut in community theatre as the young boy downstairs, Danny Dorgan. His young naive-tee is seen in his enraptured infatuation. The seasoned actress, Rose Marie Sweeney, personifies the mother with perhaps a murderous cause to protect her son. She earns a few “comic relief” laughs by staying true to her character. The other neighbor, a very unlikable Waldo Lydecker, claims to have adorn Laura with expensive gifts, and carries the torment of rejection. As Lydecker, the actor David Foushee lends a captivating and rich stage personality, though his pattern of delivery lacks variation. However, his looks are very comedic at the moments that he irritates the devoted and humble maid, who is wonderfully played by Patti Quin. Quin wins as my favorite in this cast as her comic timing is impeccable. Her affection and loyalty towards her deceased employer is performed with sincerity.

But was the maid too sanctimonious to regard Laura’s life worthy to continue? I won’t give away any surprises.

The unexpected twists in the plot are enthralling. The female character does not fall prey in to the “femme fatal” victimized characterization of being manipulative, murderous, and thus, doomed, which is seen often in outdated “film noir” productions. Instead, it honors the female role with intact integrity and enriched psychological complexity. Dreamweaver’s Theatre earns applause to produce “Laura” as their murder mystery for this season. In likeness, June Reif earns kudos in crafting a suspenseful and talented production.

Show Dates: March 23, 24 & 25 Show Times: Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm (Doors open 1 hour before show time; seating 1/2 hour before show time.) Ticket Prices: $20 – Regular $18 – Senior/Military $18 per person – Groups of 10 or more http://www.dreamweaverstheatre.org/tickets-reservations.html or call 707-255-LIVE