by Breanna Adamick

From October 19 through October 21, GC Theatre put on a performance of the production “Let’s Murder Marsha,” written by Monk Ferris and directed by Greensboro College senior student Rebecca Hawkes. The performance was free and open to all students, faculty and visitors, and was well-received by the audience. 

For those who are not familiar with the production, the program available to viewers summarized the general plot quite succinctly: “Marsha Gilmore, an ordinary suburban housewife with a vivid imagination, finds herself entangled in a web of mistaken identities, outrageous misunderstandings, and, of course, murder!”  

The production involved a small cast of characters, brought to life by seven talented actors, namely Brook Dunlap as Marsha Gilmore, Ethan Kring as Tobias Gilmore, Demari Jackson as Bianca, Magnus Conway as Virgil Baxter, Jalen Troublefield as Ben Quade, Karin Powell as Persis Devore and Jackie Deane as Lynette Thoren.  

Upon taking your seat in the Huggins Performance Center, you would likely notice and be slightly awed by the expansive and elaborate set design clearly visible on stage. Lavish pink walls with several different doors and exits carved out the space, with furniture such as a sofa, bar, desk, armchair, bookcase and wardrobe nicely setting the scene of a comfortable, elegant home.  

Once the show began, it did not take long for the plot to begin to reveal itself, in the form of Marsha Gilmore overhearing a conversation between her husband, Tobias Gilmore, and a woman at that time unknown to her, Persis Devore, which seemed to indicate a plan to carry out her murder. Spurred by her love and familiarity of mystery novels, Marsha attempts to employ the assistance of her neighbor Virgil Baxter—a man mildly in love with her—and to some extent, her somewhat drunk—or else wildly sassy—maid Bianca. Chaos and confusion quickly unfurled from there forth, continuing on amongst the characters through the duration of the play. 

After the show’s conclusion, there were a few different scenes and instances that stuck with me longer than others. Near the end of Act Two, for example, disaster struck the characters, clear and simple. The physical comedy in the scuffle that occurred between all seven of the characters on stage in unison was very well done and highly amusing. It was hard to know where to focus your attention, as every way your eyes roved there were different characters engaged in physical dramatics.  

Another part that evoked loud laughs from the audience, certainly including myself, was a moment where Virgil Baxter burst into the room at a pivotal time, brandished a gun at Marsha, Tobias and Persis and screamed, “Take your f***ing clothes off!” Even without context, it is a ludicrous sounding action.  

Throughout this production, the characters were lively from the actor’s portrayals of them. Brook Dunlap, the actress of Marsha Gilmore, and Demari Jackson, the actor of Bianca, both particularly stood out to me as humorous and entertaining, but it should be noted that all actors were excellent in their performance. Their talent and spirit made up for a storyline I found to be a little less brilliant than the usual selected plays, particularly with the conclusion that came about in Act Three.  

The one downside to watching this production I find necessary to mention, was the borderline debilitating heat in the Huggins Performance Center. Besides that factor, largely uncontrollable by the department, I would say the production was a grand hit among the audience.  

This was another GC theatre production I would have been loathe to miss, and for good reason. The title of the production does not reflect the lighthearted banter, priceless physical comedy and overall amusing storyline. I went into this performance with no prior knowledge of the play’s story. I was expecting perhaps a genuine murder mystery or thriller as the title alludes to but was pleasantly surprised to find myself laughing quite frequently from the absurdity of the characters’ antics. While a mystery/thriller would not have been unwelcome or displeasing, a lighthearted comedic display ended up being just what I needed, and I doubt I am alone in that.  

Overall, while the storyline and climate left something to be desired, I can confidently commend the GC theatre department and all their actors, managers, directors and designers on a performance well done.