The Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society has another hits on its hands. I attended the special VIP viewing of their hilarious whodunit, Haven’t Got A Clue, which continues February 12 to 15, at the Harold Greenspon Auditorium ( 5801 Cavendish Blvd).
Artistic Director, Anisa Cameron, has assembled a stellar cast of 25 professional and community actors who are brining the play to life. “I think people will really enjoy Haven’t Got A Clue,” Cameron said. “It’s so funny and our cast is so spectacular, it’s going to be a memorable time at the theatre for all. I am particularly excited to see how the audience participation in determining the end plays out. It seems like such a fun way to enhance the performer/audience relationship.”
The audience is asked to decide the fate of the show at each performance, choosing from three different endings. That was a lot of fun.
Haven’t Got a Clue is a murder mystery that takes place at Covington Manor in Connecticut in 1954. McCarthyism is at its height and the country is terrified of Communism and the threat of nuclear war. Theodore Covington, a well-known war profiteer, has died under mysterious circumstances and a whole host of shady characters with motives galore have shown up at the manor to hear the reading of Theodore’s will just as Tropical Storm Francine has been upgraded to a full-blown hurricane. The guests must batten down the hatches with a murderer in the midst. As suspects emerge and victims begin to drop like flies, it’s up to the audience to determine the outcome of this fast-paced, hilarious whodunit.
“Murder is most definitely a laughing matter in this treacherous tale that weaves double-crossing, revenge, crimes of passion, dark secrets and government conspiracy into a fast-paced, laugh out loud, irreverent take on the murder mystery genre,” Cameron said.
Riva Bruck and Karina Milech open the show up as the fictitious Christie sisters, Tabitha and Clarissa. Cameron makes a cameo at the very end as their older sister Agatha.
Bruck, who also portrays weather forecaster Fannie Monroe, is one of four District 2 residents in the show. The others are Steve Stein (General Barkis), Chana Myschowski (Sally) and Seymour David (Mr. Trowel). This play had my full attention from the get go, with a good story line and very funny dialogue. Scene stealers include the wonderful Dan Harroch as butler Mr. Meables, Dollard des Ormeaux city councillor Herbert Brownstein as chain smoking newscaster Hal J. Murrow, Judy Kenigsberg as Melba Covington, Hannah Schefren as Mamie LaHush and Barbar Diehl as Mrs. Roulade the foul mouthed cook.
Councillor Mitchell Brownstein, who established the CSL Dramatic Society three and a half years ago, took a break from performing this time around and serves as producer. He and Mayor Anthony Housefather gave opening remarks.
“The show will be a great Valentine’s Day surprise for your significant other,” said Brownstein. “Do something different this year and watch this very funny story, which takes place in Connecticut in 1954.”
Tickets are available at the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library, the Aquatic and Community Centre or at www.CSLDramaticSociety.com. The cost is $23, or $20 for students and seniors.
Here is a teaser for the show via Harroch, who shaved his beard soon after this recording:
