Theater Review

Tom Titus

Probably the best way to sum up “Something’s Afoot,” the current

production at Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University, is that it could be the

byproduct of an unlikely assignation between Agatha Christie and Mel

Brooks.

This delightfully wacky and decidedly over-the-top spoof of the mystery

theater genre by James McDonald, Davis Vos and Robert Gerlach is a

familiar entity around community theaters in both Costa Mesa and Newport

Beach, where it has logged three previous appearances. The local college

version, however, tops them all in one individual respect.

Whoever said, “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach” obviously never

encountered Susan K. Berkompas. The head of Vanguard’s drama department

makes an onstage appearance in “Something’s Afoot” and effectively swipes

the show as part of an excellent ensemble.

Berkompas, as the dowager Lady Grace -- one of seven guests invited to a

murderously funny evening in a secluded mansion -- virtually conducts a

seminar on comic characterization. With her fractured French and Bette

Davis eyes, she delivers a magnificent performance and sets a lofty

standard for the rest of the cast.

“Something’s Afoot” is deeply rooted in Christie’s “Ten Little Indians,”

wherein the guests meet their demise in a number of assorted, and

creative ways.

Director Carey Smith, who also choreographs the lively musical numbers,

has fashioned a hilarious comic gem which gains a special glitter from

Lia Hansen’s lustrous period (1933) costumes.

Berkompas, indeed, stands out, but several other cast members contribute

memorable, and energetic, performances. Jenna Hafner’s platinum blond

ingenue is a total delight, and her budding romance with collegiate

oarsman Steve Limones is nicely documented as the actors take their

“straight role” assignments to a high comic level.

Bonnie Abraham enacts the Miss Marple-type sleuth with authority and

aplomb, while tall, leggy Suzee Adams sparkles as the “legal heir” to her

uncle’s fortune. Both consume large chunks of scenery in their musical

numbers and engage the audience splendidly.

Stan Jones renders a recognizable stuffy British military figure in this

musical game of Clue, while Matt Gardener is effective as a doctor. Chris

Tillman offers a Lurch-like figure as the butler, his shaved head

enhancing the effect.

The servants, in fact, hardly fade into the background in this robust

comedy. Amy Doctorchik is a perky, feisty maid and John Evangelista a

lusty, lecherous handyman, both spicing the already bubbling plot.

Technically, the Vanguard production revels in the traditional thunder

and lightning effects associated with the genre, which must be credited

to Austin Henken, Tim Mueller and Jeremy Rynders. Mueller’s set design --

with its tricky avenues for lethal disposition -- functions like an 11th

cast member.

“Something’s Afoot” combines comedy and music with generous helpings of

satire in an eminently watchable production at the college’s Lyceum

Theater. Even if you’ve seen the previous local versions, you’ll still

get a big kick out of this one.

* WHAT: “Something’s Afoot”

* WHERE: Vanguard University Lyceum Theater, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

* WHEN: Closing performances Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday

at 2 p.m.

* HOW MUCH: $15

* PHONE: (714) 669-6145