THE BASICS: MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, a play by Michael Mitnick, directed by John Hurley, presented by Road Less Traveled Productions, starring Ben Michael Moran, Peter Palmisano, David Marciniak, Wendy Hall, Greg Howze, Nick Lama, and Jeremy Kreuzer runs through October 16. Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2. At RLTP 456 Main Street, Buffalo, 14202 (716) 629-3069 roadlesstraveledproductions.org
Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes with one intermission (full-service bar with snacks in the lobby)
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: The true story of Richard Lancelyn Green, the world’s foremost scholar on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous literary character – Sherlock Holmes. After spending two decades in competition with others searching for a box containing some of Doyle’s missing papers, Green is close to unlocking the secrets behind Holmes’ creator. Then, suddenly, Green is found dead under “mysterious circumstances.” With multiple suspects, each with competing motives, questions arise that may be answered only by the great detective Holmes himself. The play is based on the 2004 New Yorker article “Mysterious Circumstances” by David Grann.
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: Without a doubt, this is one of the most well-produced plays that Road Less Traveled Productions has mounted, and for a company that prides itself on meticulous sets, costumes, and “stage magic” that’s saying something. So, right away, let’s heap praise on Dyan Burlingame for her multi-purpose set which comes alive with lighting (including what appears to be a first – a fluorescent proscenium) by John Rickus, which works so well with very, very appropriate, well-fitting, and inventive costumes (and lots of costume changes) representing both 1894 and 2004 by Lise Harty, lots and lots of cool props by Gina Bocculucci, and, once again, the best choices of music by Katie Menke. My “day job” is a host on WNED Classical and, in my dreams, I couldn’t come close to what Katie Menke does. She’s the best.
Let us also praise Production Stage Managers Stephen Brakey and Assistant Tiffany Jaramillo, who very rightly appear during the final curtain calls because this is one very busy play. They are deserving of every bit of applause.
And the cast is certainly an “A-list” of Buffalo talent with every actor seen multiple times in other excellent productions. Ben Michael Moran plays the leading role of Richard Green, but also Sherlock Holmes. Peter Palmisano plays the author Conan Doyle (and other roles), David Marciniak plays Dr. Watson (and others), and assuming a wide variety of roles as needed are Wendy Hall, Greg Howze, Nicholas Lama, and Jeremy Kreuzer. The changes in characters are lightning fast so kudos to director John Hurley for helping everyone to develop their multiple characters and to stay in those characters for their scenes.
Unfortunately, and I had this same feeling watching the jukebox musical ROCK OF AGES over at D’Youville’s Kavinoky Theatre, here RLTP brought in an overwhelming amount of theatrical firepower in service of a play that just ain’t that great. It’s like having a famous surgeon in to remove a bunion on your toe. Super job, but, Doc, couldn’t you be, shouldn’t you be performing open heart surgery instead?
So in terms of acting, directing, and production values, this is a five-Buffalo play and quite the tour de force. But the play itself is just a three-Buffalo play. Very clever, but in the end… meh. Usually, audiences will tell you that “the second act was better than the first.” Here, the second act went on for about 20 minutes too long. Around me you could hear the audience growing restive. That’s why I’m giving MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES a four-Buffalo rating.
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!