By Rick Morwick
Margaret Thorne Brent is a renowned psychologist with a successful practice in an upscale Connecticut community. But she might also be something else: A cold-blooded killer who has just committed the perfect crime.
Or, she might not be.
Either way, Cheryl Fesmire, who is directing Main Street Productions’ presentation of the nuanced play “Perfect Crime,” is confident audiences will have lots of fun finding out.
“I am a fan of good mystery thrillers, in novels and onstage,” said Fesmire, a veteran director and stage performer. “This play has a lot of legitimate clues throughout as well as some red herrings. It is not your mainstream play, that is for certain, but I believe mystery lovers will enjoy it.”
Written by American playwright Warren Manzi, “Perfect Crime” premiered in New York City in 1987 and is the longest-running play in NYC theater history. It begins an eight-show run Feb. 8 at Westfield Playhouse, 1836 W. Ind. 32, and concludes Feb. 24.
MSP’s presentation features a largely local but highly compact cast of five characters, only four of which appear onstage.
“You’ll have to see the show to find out how the other character appears,” said Fesmire, an Indianapolis resident who is directing “Perfect Crime” for the first time. “The characters are so well-crafted that there is not a wasted character or moment in this play.”
Georgeanna Teipen, Greenfield, plays Margaret Thorne Brent, who may or who may not have killed her wealthy husband, W. Harrison Brent. Jeremy Teipen, Georgeanna’s real-life husband, plays Harrison. Thom Johnson, Westfield, plays Lionel, one of Margaret’s patients. Michael Smiley, Fishers, plays Inspector James Ascher, who investigates the murder, and Steven Marsh, Westfield, plays David Breuer, who hosts a local cable television show.
“I hope the audiences will be very entertained,” Fesmire said. “I also would love to see people attend the show more than once to pick up all the nuances of the story.”
For more or for tickets, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.