Chatham Drama Guild’s ‘The Game’s Afoot’ Is Hilariously Deadly

          “She was ruthless. She was evil. She was a theater critic, for God’s sake!” 
           So says Sheila Jameson as Martha Gillette, describing the acid-tongued and ill-fated drama writer Daria Chase, played to hilariously venomous effect by Rachel Hischak in the Chatham Drama Guild’s playful autumnal offering, Ken Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays.” 
          On opening night, the cast had the audience in stitches in this comedic gem directed by Scott Hamilton. 
          The time is December 1936. Actor William Gillette, admired for his leading role in the play “Sherlock Holmes,” has invited his fellow cast members to his Connecticut castle for Christmas Eve and a weekend of fun. And what a setting for a party! As one guest observes, “This is where God would live, if He could afford it.”
          But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the celebration in the isolated castle filled with secret rooms, concealed doors and mysteries becomes dangerous.
          The entire cast brings their best to the Drama Guild’s stage for this inspired blend of mystery and hilarity, which pokes good-natured fun at actors, the world of theater, and, as mentioned above, at the necessary evil known as the theater critic. 
           Sheila Jameson as glamorous hostess Martha Gillette and Bragan Thomas as her son, actor William Gillette — a character equally theatrical on and off the stage — create a believably warm and affectionate familial relationship as they prepare to welcome their holiday guests on a snowy December evening. Adding a touch of the macabre to the festivities, a stage doorman well known to everyone present has recently been murdered at the theater by an unknown killer. To make matters worse, Gillette himself is recovering from a gunshot wound to the arm, possibly delivered by the same assailant, who remains at large. The guests, however, are nevertheless dressed in their holiday best and determined to make merry, at least until Gillette announces that an additional guest will be joining them — the theater critic Daria Chase. 
           A theater critic? Invited to a party? Please, say it isn’t so! 
           Bragan Thomas has become a favorite on local stages, and his portrayal of Gillette, a fascinating mix of the subtle and the melodramatic, earns many of the evening’s laughs. As his castmates and party guests, Geof Newton as Felix Geisel, Pam Banas as Marge Geisel, John O’Hara as Simon Wright and Erica Morris as Aggie Wheeler (the role will be shared with Susanna Creel from Dec. 6 to Dec. 8) are a wonderful mix of colorful personalities who bring out the best in each other and delighted the audience on opening night. The show-stopping entrance of Rachel Hischak as Daria Chase, the critic everyone loves to hate, and with good reason, captured every eye in the house. Her mesmerizing mix of charm and venom both captivated and stunned party guests and audience alike, driving someone onstage to commit an act of shocking violence. 
          But which one?
           Fear not, Alison Hyder as Inspector Goring soon arrives on the case to chase down clues and discover the secrets hidden within Gillette Castle. Christmas Eve or no, this inspector won’t let a little snow or holiday merrymaking get in the way when there’s a killer to be caught, even if the party guests themselves are on the suspect list and actively obstructing her best efforts. 
           Whose side are these thwarting thespians on, anyway? 
 What better way to get into the holiday spirit in style than with a twisting, turning whodunit served up with glamor and laughs? Why, it’s elementary, dear Watson. To find out who’s to blame for murder most foul on a snowy, mysterious Christmas Eve, don’t miss this charming and deliciously sinister winner of the 2012 Edgar Award for Best Play from the Mystery Writers of America. 
          “The Game’s Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays” lights up the Chatham Drama Guild stage through Dec. 8, featuring Bragan Thomas as William Gillette, Sheila Jameson as Martha Gillette, Geof Newton as Felix Geisel, Pam Banas as Marge Geisel, John O’Hara as Simon Wright, Alison Hyder as Inspector Goring and Rachel Hischak as Daria Chase. The role of Aggie Wheeler is played by Erica Morris through Dec. 1, and by Susanna Creel from Dec. 6 to Dec. 8. The producer and costumer is Pam Banas, with light and sound by Rachel Banas, set and light design by Scott Hamilton, sound design by Don Howell, and set construction by Scott Hamilton, Pam Banas, Rachel Banas, Mike Guzowski and Derek Mickle.
 
 
 DETAILS:
 “The Game’s Afoot”
 At the Chatham Drama Guild, Crowell Road, Chatham
 Through Dec. 8

Information and reservations: 508-945-0510, chatdramaguild.org