Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • May 11, 2011 Stage-struck detective solves crimes in ‘Curtains’ by Dennis Seuling “Curtains,” the final production of the season at Millburn’s Paper Mill Playhouse, is a whodunit musical comedy that pokes fun at conventions of theater, whether backstage, onstage, or beyond. It glows with wit and whimsy courtesy of John Kander (music), Fred Ebb (lyrics), and Rupert Holmes (book). The setting is the Colonial Theater in Boston, scene of the out-of-town run of “Robbin’ Hood,” a musical in desperate need of fixing before it goes to Broadway. When tone-deaf star Jessica Cranshaw (Happy McPartlin) dies during curtain calls at a performance, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi (Robert Newman) is called in to investigate and discovers her death was a homicide. Since she was murdered during a performance, Cioffi orders that no one leave the theater until the murder is solved. Lt. Cioffi turns out to be an avid musical theater fan, and doubles as script doctor to get the show ready for Broadway. While everyone is sequestered, the audience meets pompous director Christopher Belling (Ed Dixon), tough producer Carmen Bernstein (Kim Zimmer), backer Oscar Shapiro (Dick Decareau), songwriter Aaron Fox (Kevin Kern), understudy Niki Harris (Amanda Rose), sexy blonde dancer Bambi Bernet (Anne Horak), and the replacement leading lady, Georgia Hendricks (Helen Anker). It’s a race Robert Newman, Kim Zimmer (center), and the cast of ‘Curtains.’ to find the murderer while the show-within-the-show gets badly needed doctoring. Making the chief investigator a theater fan is clever. Instead of just dropping references to bygone musicals and songs, Cioffi is a thorough fan, loving not only the final result seen on stage but the very process of creating the magic. He forges ahead with the serious business of investigating a murder while reveling in mingling with the theater folk he admires. Though Newman amps up the enthusiasm and hits the notes well enough, he lacks the wattage to make the role shine. I got the impression that in his offstage moments, he was checking “Variety” for his next gig. He should stand out more and connect more with the audience. Instead, he is merely serviceable. Zimmer is hot stuff and bases her performance on the wisecracking, tough woman type. However, rather than making Carmen a caricature, she conveys a hard-as-nails business woman who will take no nonsense from her cast, her director, or her husband. She is a powerhouse of a singer and often seems to be channeling Ethel Merman. Rose plays the ingénue role of Niki with sweetness and an air of mystery as she and Cioffi find themselves falling in love. A duet, “A Tough Act to Follow,” features Niki (continued on Crossword page) State Line 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Best Got Better! Diner - Restaurant 201-529-3353 Calling All Crafters and Antique Cars! Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino $ 00 On $10.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. State Line Diner VT Off 1 $ 00 On $20.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. State Line Diner VT Off 2 Allendale Festival Day Saturday, October 1st Diamond Sponsor: The Allendale Community for Mature Living Platinum Sponsors: TD Bank, Theodora’s Gracious Gifts Gold Sponsors: State Farm Agent, Ed Kalpagian Barnstable Mortgage Group, LLC Be a part of the 19th Annual & Car Show 10am - 4pm Hosted by Allendale Chamber of Commerce Contact Adrienne at Jumbleiah Memorabilia 201-327-8411 www.allendalechamber.com 11-17-10 Joan/Janine