reviewed by Daniel Shock

There’s something both cozy and ominous about a country house murder mystery. As a kid, I spent many hours playing Clue with my family, feverishly fantasizing about locking up my siblings for their many heinous crimes. (Was it my sinister sister with the candlestick in the library?) Stories of isolated mansions and hidden secrets—where motives and bodies pile up faster than alibis—have long captivated audiences. Whodunit… The Musical, inspired by Mary Roberts Rinehart’s “The Circular Staircase”, taps into this tradition while adding music, dancing, and a heavy dose of parody.

Presented by the Actors Theatre of Indiana, the show invites audiences to Sunnyside Cottage, a large and slightly spooky Connecticut estate in the summer of 1931. Spinster Carrie Innes (Judy Fitzgerald) and her sharp-tongued maid Liddy (Cynthia Collins) arrive to discover that the household staff has mysteriously quit—save for the quirky butler, Thomas (John Vessels Jr.), who hints that all is not well. Soon after, Carrie’s niece, Sally (Logan Hill), arrives, accompanied by a “friend”—a young man named Jack (Jacob A. Butler). Scandalous!

What begins as an awkward house party quickly spirals into a night of bizarre events, including attempted break-ins, gunshots, and not one but two dead bodies. Enter Detective Jarvis (Eric Olson), whose investigation sends the story careening toward increasingly absurd twists and turns. Ghostly warnings, tarot readings from the eccentric Zara (Sara M. Dontus), and a surprising musical number from the villain keep the audience guessing until the final moments. It’s a delightful blend of mystery and farce, all tied together with campy musical comedy.

The set, designed by P. Bernard Killian, with its elegant curved staircase and wide layout, perfectly captures the grandeur of a country estate. Dustin Druckman’s moody lighting effects—complete blackouts and flashes of lightning—heighten the suspense, while the period-appropriate costumes by Donna Jacobs ground the production in 1931.

Despite these strong production values and an exceptionally talented cast, the material itself didn’t fully land for me. The first act struggled to balance comedy and suspense, and while the musical numbers were performed well, none stood out as particularly memorable. I suspect most audience members didn’t leave humming a tune. However, Act II brought a marked improvement, with more laughs and clever twists. “It’s Harder to Move a Body Than You Think” (an unexpected highlight) was especially fun.

The performances were a definite highlight. Cynthia Collins (Liddy) was a standout, portraying the cranky, lower-class maid with a sharp tongue and a deep loyalty to her employer. Liddy’s sarcastic wit and no-nonsense demeanor brought to mind characters like Hermione Baddeley’s Ellen from Mary Poppins or Florence from The Jeffersons. Ms. Collins masterfully balanced humor and heart, delivering biting remarks one moment and stepping in to defend Carrie the next, creating a memorable and multifaceted character. Sara M. Dontus (Zara) was wonderfully over-the-top, leaning into her character’s mystical eccentricities with wild abandon. Meanwhile, John Vessels Jr. (Thomas) displayed impeccable comedic timing, drawing consistent laughter from the audience with his sly delivery.

Without giving away spoilers, I’ll just say that the final twist was a riotous surprise, with a song-and-dance number from the villain that felt fresh and inventive—different from anything seen earlier in the show.

What struck me most was how much the audience loved it. They laughed throughout and leapt to their feet for a standing ovation. It made me wonder if this genre—especially when played for laughs—just isn’t my thing. Still, director Julie Lyn Barber assembled a Cracker Jack cast, production staff, and musicians to wring every last drop of entertainment from the material. With such standout performances and clever production choices, Whodunit… The Musical was undeniably a crowd-pleaser.

Whodunit… The Musical continues its run at the Studio Theater, part of the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana (1 Carter Green, Carmel, IN 46032). Upcoming performances include February 1 at 7:30 PM, February 2 at 2:00 PM, and shows each Thursday through Sunday from February 6 to February 16. Tickets are available through the Center for the Performing Arts box office or online. Don’t miss your chance to see this riotous mystery comedy brought to life by the Actors Theatre of Indiana!

• – photos by Indy Ghost Light Photography

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