Bowie Community Theatre has launched its 50th-anniversary season with Norman Robbins' English mystery-comedy "A Tomb with a View" — a mystery overflowing with nonsensical clues unlikely to baffle serious mystery fans but designed to amuse most everyone else.
Set in 1978 in the Tomb family mansion, siblings gather as family attorney Hamilton Penworthy goes over provisions of their multimillionaire father's will. Initially, only eldest sibling Lucien is present, reminding Penworthy that the neurotic scientist is now head of the family.
Others soon arrive, including Lucien's dotty sister Dora, who is the family gardener; brother Marcus, accompanied by his nurse, Anne Franklin; and combative sisters Emily and Monica.
The Tomb tribe's fate takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of mysterious guests — father's favorite novelist Miss Ermyntrude Ash (aka Freda Mountjoy), who may be his estate's main beneficiary, and her male secretary, Peregrine Potter.
Rounding out the 10-member cast is longtime housekeeper Agatha Hammond, who wields extraordinary power over the family and has her own explanation for the strange events that occur.
Robbins' convoluted plot would be a challenge for any director and cast. In Bowie's production, director Jeffrey Lesniak has assembled a strong cast that becomes convincingly British and amusingly eccentric.
Lesniak encounters a few pacing problems that result in sluggish action near the conclusion, thanks to a seemingly interminable action recap — a matter of Robbins' overwriting.
Lesniak also serves as the production's sound designer, creating numerous fearsome sounds, from creaking boards to howling werewolves that might be in the basement.
Cast members are convincing in their portrayals, starting with John Decker, who summons a credible English accent as Penworthy, the attorney. Decker also conveys a properly authoritative note and later displays the conniving aspect of Penworthy's character.
As Lucien, Rich Koster displays an acceptable English accent, although he is a bit hurried in early scenes with Decker, making the dialogue a bit difficult to follow. Koster maintains a commanding head-of-family presence, strutting about the library and later demanding the prime minister's attention — a scene that signals Lucien's scientist persona.
Jeanne Louise fully inhabits the role of Dora, summoning frenetic enthusiasm for her next planting in her flower beds and becoming a gracious hostess, offering her lethal homemade wine. She then instantly shifts to a paranoia that may transition into a full-out panic attack. Each swing of emotion is fully convincing and highly amusing.
Maribeth Vogel delivers an excellent characterization of Emily Tomb, relishing her every zing, spouting witticisms and viciously mimicking other characters with cutting accuracy. Her verbal duels with sister Monica are highlights of the production.
Emily's worthy opponent, Monica, is well played by Stephanie Allender, who as vigorous femme fatale, brings high-voltage energy to her aggressive seduction of Peregrine Potter for the show's liveliest moments.
Rob Allen succeeds as Marcus, the most deranged Tomb sibling. Convinced that he is Julius Caesar, Marcus wears a toga and quotes Shakespeare, delivering his lines with zest and sharp comic timing.
As nurse Anne Franklin, Terra Elaine Vigil-Wynn hints at a more-than professional relationship with Marcus — and also hints that there may be much more to her interaction with other family members than meets the eye.
A comic standout, Alex Hyder as Peregrine Potter adds excitement and humor to his every scene, as well as a bit of mystery when he's introduced as novelist Ermyntrude Ash's secretary and assistant. Peregrine's attempts to fend off the vigorous advances of Monica are comic highlights.
Ash is well played by Diana Hutter, adding a surprise element complete with a striking style.
As the Tomb family's housekeeper Agatha Hammond, always-reliable Joanne Bauer delivers her usual spot-on performance, adding quirky elements with deft humor.
Laughs increase along with the number of victims — adding incentive to explore this extraordinary whodunit.
Performances of "A Tomb with a View" continue weekends through July 31 at Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Park Drive. For tickets, call the box office at 301-805-0219 or purchase online at bctheatre.com.