Murder at the Howard Johnson’s : This on stage murder falls flat

For just a few moments in the second act of Phoenix Players’ production of Murder at the Howard Johnson’s it seems that the show is finally coming to life. But the illusion of adequacy fades when the third character joins the two men on stage.

The problems are not entirely the fault of the director and performers although they must bear much of the blame for stilted delivery and constant shouting.

The play by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick was a flop in 1979 and there seems little reason to assume that this sit-com is any more worthwhile 34 years later. The concept of three incompetent and unfulfilled attempts at murdering one of the three of a silly triangle of husband, wife and lover might be marginally amusing on paper. It doesn’t work on stage where the result is murderously boring.

Dim lighting, a sparsely furnished set and little evidence of a director’s hand from Tim Picotte in this production do little to create the required ambience. In addition, there is little credibility among the cast, beyond the said momentary clicking at the beginning of Act II.

The good news about opening night was the complimentary snacks provided at intermission.

Murder on stage falls flat

Murder at the Howard Johnson’s

By Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick

Phoenix Players

Director: Tim Picotte

Set: Annemarie Zeyl

Lighting: Stewart Zeyl

Sound: David Speck

Costumes: Anne Melrose

Cast:

Arlene Miller………………………….Sasha Gilchrist

Paul Miller…………………………….Dan Desmarais

Mitchell Lovell………………………..Mike Schilder