2008 Woodie Awards
Devilish Desserts
Elsie Denton
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Arts & Features
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Just Desserts by Craig Sodaro is a lively mystery play revolving around the untimely death of Judge Reginald P. Cogsworth who perished while judging an annual charity bakeoff. The play is interactive and the audience must deduce which of the three talented ladies who entered the contest poisoned the Judge, and what was their motive. Was it the ditzy and garishly dressed Lucy "Scooter" Bright, the proud and haughty Margaret Mason, or the plumb, cat-loving librarian Edna Mae Carter?
Putting on an interactive play is by no means easy and the Sherburne Music Theater Society did a tolerable job. Not one of the five actors is a professorial performer; they are locals hailing from the greater Hamilton/Sherburne/Earlville area who share a love for theater. Their passion for the pastime came out strongly in their performance.
The play was directed by Earlville resident, Rick Thormahlen. His wife, Susan Thormahlen, said that the production was the company's second.
"The show is really a community event," Thormahlen said. "My husband is a retired high school teacher, and some of the actors are past students of his."
Lisette Marlowe who played Lucy "Scooter" Bright, had perhaps the best performance. Dressed to a tee in high heels, fishnet leggings, brilliant red lipstick and a platinum blonde wig, Marlowe had all of the right basics in place to be your typical 'bad girl,' but it was her acting skill that really made her shine. From the toss of her hair to the purse of her lips to the way she jutted out her hip when she stood, there was nothing to make the viewer the least suspicious that she was not, in fact, Scooter Bright.
The other actors performed with varying degrees of excellence, and the overall result was a lively, spitfire comedy that had everyone grinning broadly, if not actually falling out of their seats.
During intermission the audience had a chance to scour the room in search of clues that might assist them in solving the crime. There was a rich body of clues to be had: love letters and blackmail notes, old grudges and books on poisonous plants. Senior citizens, respected community members and young children all puzzled over the pros and cons of each as the possible murderers. This determined and energetic quest could not continue however and was interrupted so that everyone could partake of the delicious and dreamy desserts that had been baked especially for the evening. The proceeds from the sale of the goodies went to the Sherburne Music Theater Society to pay for the rights to the play, tickets, and publicity.
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