The Town Players of Newtown is holding performances of A Murder Is Announced, a play based on Agatha Christie’s murder mystery novel and directed by Gene Golaszewski.

The August 13 matinee featured seamless lighting and scene changes. The set was beautiful as well as thoughtful, with a cohesive and pleasant color palette and a recurring floral theme that made its way into the costumes. Multiple parts of the story mention or feature flowers, which makes this choice feel all the more meaningful and versed in theme.

This is truly a show for those interested in a well-executed, good old-fashioned mystery. All murder scenes were very well-coordinated and exciting, with an ensemble cast filled with equally interesting characters to feel suspicious about and keep tabs on.

The grip of the story was especially fierce during Act II, where all actors found their stride as well. This notetaker strayed from comments about the production to speculation on the plot. It is the cooperation between actors and script that made it hard to look away.

Mitzi (played by Sheri Rak) lights up the stage and the capacities of the other actors when she interacts with them. Patricia White, who plays Dora Bunner, shares this gift.

The dynamic between Rak and Monica O’Brien, who plays central character Leticia Blacklock, is among the best of the show.

O’Brien too seemed comfortable and vivid onstage, with a real handle on the range of the complex character she embodies.

Christie’s Miss Marple is truly a lethal character, and the Players’ Stefanie Rosenberg does justice to the part. Ron Malyzska in the shoes of Inspector Craddock is strong and compelling as well.

A scene between Rosenberg, O’Brien and Malyszka during the second act is among the most powerful and memorable.

While he is great in the foreground, Joel Michael as Patrick Simmons adds considerable attitude to his character even when not speaking.

One shortcoming was that actors used accents at varying strengths, which was distracting until the story became more gripping.

Overall, the older actors truly take the cake of A Murder Is Announced at The Town Players Theater (and a few of them literally eat it, too).

Performances continue weekends until August 26, including a special Thursday evening performance on August 24. Evening curtain is at 8 pm, and matinees begin at 2. Tickets can be purchased at town-players-of-newtown.square.site.

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Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.