Live Theatre Workshop serves up a steaming cup of intrigue with its latest theatrical production, Agatha Christie's "Black Coffee."
Directed by LTW regular Jodi Rankin, the 2 1/2-hour murder mystery does well by the 1930 Christie play, combining a strong cast with a plotline that left audience members avidly guessing "whodunit?" at a recent Sunday matinee performance.
The production — set in the study of British physicist Sir Claud Amory in the 1940s — follows Christie's No. 1 detective, Hercule Poirot, as he attempts to figure out who killed the renowned scientist and made off with his secret government formulas.
Poirot has a gaggle of conniving family members and friends to choose from — Amory's shifty son, Richard; his wife, Lucia; and his assistant, Mr. Raynor. Even the proverbial butler, Tredwell (Gary McGaha), is under suspicion.
People are also reading…
They each take turns spilling their guts, accusing one another and ultimately providing the youthful detective the clues needed to find the murderer's true identity.
Though Poirot (played by the director's husband, Chuck Rankin) gets the lion's share of stage time, it is the smaller roles, like that of Holli Henderson, that steal the show.
Henderson's character Barbara, Sir Amory's niece, isn't an essential component to the play, but we are glad she is there.
Her quirky, comical facial expressions and subtle and not-so-subtle flirtations with other characters provide some of the most memorable moments of the performance.
"A girl can never have too much red on her lips," quips the mischievous Henderson early in the performance. "She never knows how much she is going to lose on the taxi ride home."
Another instance finds her wooing Poirot's timid assistant, Arthur Hastings, played by Michael Martinez.
"Come and be vamped," orders Henderson with a devilish grin, signaling the detective with her "come-hither" finger motions to the garden.
That's not to say Chuck Rankin is a poor Poirot. Quite the contrary.
Unlike Sherlock Holmes — whose cocky demeanor often results in his need for explanatory diatribe — Poirot is more of an introvert. The same ideas run through his head. He just doesn't feel the need to show his hand right off the bat. Rankin does well in conveying this character element with regular facial expressions that read, "I know something you don't know."
Christie fans also will enjoy the added dimensions to Poirot's character in "Black Coffee."
The detective fills many roles for the family, including, at one point, a sympathetic in-house therapist.
"Let papa Poirot offer his services," Rankin coos, comforting a distraught Lucia. "I stay to serve you. I still wish to serve you."
He adds, "At present I serve you. Later I may have to serve justice."
Of course, with any production, there will be flaws.
The intimate workshop may not be the most suitable venue for this play. In some scenes there are six or seven actors on the set at once, making for a few cramped situations.
And the squeaky wooden stage doesn't do Rankin any favors, as he plays a character who often finds himself sneaking up on others.
These elements can distract from such a mystery, but chances are, audience members were too wrapped up playing detective to notice.
● Live Theatre Workshop's production of Agatha Christie's "Black Coffee" is at 7:30 p.m. today. Shows run through April 30 at Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. Tickets cost $13-$16. 327-4242.
