” A Fine Feathered Murder: A Miss Marbled Mystery” reviewed by Frank Meccia

[rating=4]What is it about David Cerda, every show he does, is top notch, full of surprises, and always makes the audience laugh. This show is fantastic, and if it doesn’t win a David award, then the whole committee needs to have their humor level checked. This show brings on the entire Hell in a Handbag cast, over 12 cast members in this production. And everyone’s top notch, the two main stars are of course David Cerda, and the very talented and wonderful Miss Marbled Ed Jones. Everything about this show was top notch, from the sets, the lighting, and the sound was perfect, something plaguing a lot of small theatres this year. Special thanks to Bill Morey and Beth Laske-Miller for excellent costumes, and Pamela L. Parker for outstanding set design.

Ed Jones as the talented Miss Marbled, is a wise, confused spinster but has the uncanny knack at solving murders. Which is good, because everybody keeps dropping dead around her. This time Miss Marbles is visiting her best friend the “Wickedly and ridiculously high fashion chic, Lady Violetta Fowler (David Cerda). This play takes place in the Old England Countryside, at the turn of the century. Lady Fowler is married to England’s largest poultry farmer, and every year they have the Fine Feathered Ball at the Estate. Its at this event, that murders take place and the poor unflustered Miss Marbled is left to uncover the deadly plot, and deal with all the unusual gallery of suspects. Everything you come to expect from Hell in a Handbag Productions, Normally I don’t list everyone, but this cast was fantastic. Sydney Genco, Caitlin Jackson, Nicky Mendelsohn, Michael Rashid, Tyler Anthony, Danna Taylor, with Michael Hapton, Rosalind Hurwitz, Max McKune, Shane Roberts and the fantastic Coco- Sho-Nell, I named my cat after you. This entire ensemble was perfectly timed, and the acting was strong.

Hell in A Handbag has come along way since the days of Mary’s Attic. Now, with a real stage, they do sets, props, costumes and the whole “shmear”. Bravo to David Cerda and company!

As a world premiere, I see this coming with more episodes to entice the audience, and with David Cerda at the helm, I do believe this will happen. The show is at the mainstage of the Chopin Theatre, which is located at 1543 Division,

parking is available at the Church that is one block east of Milwaukee Ave.

The show will play thru July 31st , with performances as follows:

Thursday 7:30 p.m.

Friday  7:30 p.m.

Saturday  7:30 p.m.

Sundays 3 p.m.

Tickets start at $29-$42 are are available by visiting www.hellinahandbagproductions.org

Don’t miss this, for a great night out, the show is 2 ½ hours long with an intermission.

After the show step around the corner to Milwaukee Ave and have a late dinner at Jieyi Sushi, they are open to 11:30 pm. One of the best places to go for Sushi in Chicago. Tell them Al and Frank sent you.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “A Fine Feathered Murder Mystery: A Miss Marbled Mystery”

Reviewed by: Frank Meccia