"Murder for Two" Is Just Deadly

Brett Ryback as the detective and Jeff Blumenkrantz as all 13 suspects in "Murder for Two" at 2nd Stage Theatre Uptown. Photo by Joan Marcus

Normally a double homicide is an agreeable if grisly TV staple and a pleasant way to  pass the time.

In "Murder for Two," at the McGinn/Cazale, Second Stage's uptown showcase, the crime is in the ridiculous premise.

Taste and sense have been cruelly killed. Comedy has been bludgeoned and all the fun of slapstick was butchered. "Murder for Two" is dull and annoying when it should be cute and winsome.

Jeff Blumenkrantz in one of his 13 guises and Brett Ryback as the investigator in "Murder for Two."
 Photo by Joan Marcus

In "Murder for Two," a new musical by Joe Kinosian (book and music) and Kellen Blair (book and lyrics), there is a murder at a birthday party.  Jeff Blumenkrantz plays all the suspects while Brett Ryback plays a cop named Marcus. While not quite enough to recommend this foolish little skit masquerading as musical comedy, Beowulf Boritt has gone all-out in designing the elaborate set, framing the action inside a panelled arch.

In the interest of offering a balanced view, we note that "Murder for Two" was a hit in Chicago in 2010.
Nonetheless, this reviewer found that although it is  a mere 90 minutes with no intermission, "Murder for Two" is overlong.

For more information about "Murder for Two," visit www.2ndst.com.