review - AND THEN THERE WERE NONE - Desert Foothill Theater

highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through January 26

"(Agatha Christie's) stage adaptation of And Then There Were None is an intriguing drama that places ten strangers on an isolated island with a murderer on the loose. Desert Foothills Theater's in-the-round staging makes for an engaging way to feel a part of the action, and the cast and direction are up to the challenge of providing the requisite thrills and chills in Christie's masterpiece. ...Director Darrell Spencer does a fairly good job in keeping the tension taut and the intrigue high. He makes good use of the large playing space in staging the action ... He also does good work in ensuring that the majority of his cast create nuanced characters who will keep you guessing as to which among them is the killer without simply playing into the stereotypical nature of the characters Christie created. However, a few members of the cast are just adequate in their portrayals and some of the accents employed are not entirely consistent. With a large cast of actors there are a few that get more stage time and stand out. These include Matthew Cary, who is shifty, firm and secretive as William Blore, and Leonard Muhammad, who is appropriately stoic as the man who, even though he's also accused of murder, leads the investigation into trying to determine which one of them is the murderer. Also, John Hull (who also designed the stylish costumes) is headstrong and flirty as Philip Lombard, while Jill Murray Ferrara is poised and professional as Vera Claythorne. a chilling thriller full of suspense. Desert Foothills production has a fairly good cast with several members that stand out, and direction with good pacing that helps build the tension."   -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)