Somers Village Players’ production of “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” a fun farce

SOMERS — Who knew murder could be such fun? The Somers Village Players 30th production “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” is a clever who-done-it farce, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout the show.
This is community theater in its truest form, with everyone pitching in and wearing multiple hats — Dorrie Mitchell directed the show and designed the set; Betty Domer produced and plays Sylvia Frye; David Crowell plays Zip Whittle and worked on the set construction; Joyce Benson plays Miranda Winkler and designed the costumes, Sherry Samborski manages the stage and plays Molly Devine — to name just a few.
The story is set in a decrepit old mansion in upstate New York. Cousins of a deceased playwright, Sebastian Sly, whom no one has ever seen, left the estate to them in his will, if they can last the night.
The cousins are played by Crowell as Zip Whittle and Trish Urso as Lilac Cooper. The two are convincing as the curious and ultimately frightened relatives who hang in for his dream of using the inheritance to open a restaurant hers of owning a hair salon.
Across the way from the mansion is an insane asylum from where a murderous lunatic called “The Creeper” has escaped.
A host of people inhabit the mansion, including the requisite butler, named Skull, played by Peter DeSaulniers, and the maid, Mrs. Bones, played by Joan Perkins-Smith.
Other residents include the fabulously theatrical actress Velma Cringe, played to the hilt by Wendy Peterson, and the mousy secretary Miranda Winkler, played by Joyce Benson.
Also invited to the proceedings was the hated drama critic, Sylvia Frye, who evidently single-handedly ruined the playwright’s career because of her scathing reviews of his work.
Having learned from past experience, she says she always carries a gun, just in case she runs into a disgruntled actor or playwright. (Evidently an occupational hazard.)
Played with devilish glee by Domer as Frye, she also said, “I took considerable pleasure in driving him from the stage.”
The drama critic came to the house in response to an invitation because she said she wanted to find a picture of the playwright, who had never been seen because he always wore a handkerchief over his face.
At one point in the second act a number of the actors with flashlights roamed the audience searching for The Creeper — a nice touch by the director Mitchell.
This is the second production the Village Players have performed at Joanna’s Café banquet hall, located behind the restaurant. They have raised the stage and moved it from one end of the hall to the other, which works better for everyone.

Two and a half stars
Location: Joanne’s Café and Banquet House, 145 Main Street, Somers
Running time: About 1 ½ hour with one intermission.
Show Times: April 18 and 19. Social hour starting at 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $33, including dinner, with cash bar. Call 749-0245 for reservations.
Production: Written by Tim Kelly. Directed and set design by Dorrie Mitchell. Produced by Betty Domer. Stage Manager Sherry Samborski. Assistant stage manager and props by Diane Preble. Lighting design by Dick Oswald. Sound design by Justin Martin. Costumes by Joyce Benson. Set construction by David Crowell.

Actor ... Character
Alexander Crowell ...The Creeper
Peter DeSaulniers ... Skull
Joan Perkins-Smith ... Mrs. Bones
David Crowell ...Zip Whittle
Trish Urso ...Lilac Cooper
Tyler J. Anderson ... Ralph
Joyce Benson ... Miranda Winkler
Wendy Peterson ... Velma Cringe
Darlene LaPointe ... Gloria Parr
Dana T. Ring ... Deputy Graves
Betty Domer ... Sylvia Frye
Sherry Samborski ... Molly Devine
James Stoughton ... Radio Voice