Final Production For STW’s 10th Anniversary Season Is An Entertaining Mystery

By June April

STRATFORD — Newtown resident and thespian Leigh Griswold is first rate as a credible, albeit unintentional, sleuth in Square One’s unique thriller/comedy, The Shop at Sly Corner. With only three performances remaining this weekend, call for tickets at the box office: 203/375-8778.

The multi-talented playwright Edward Percy dabbled quite successfully in business, politics and writing. In addition to novels and some creative verse, he wrote a half-dozen plays, of which this one is the most prominent.

Kenneth Mard’s scenic design is outstanding. The hodge-podge of antiques was most interesting in its own right. And the lighting skills of Joe Hudson worked to maintain the moods of the play.

Set in a room at the back of a London antiques shop in the 1940s, the flow of traffic from the shop to the other parts of the house were well-designed to allow for the rather abundant traffic that coursed throughout this production.

A familiar face to those who attend Newtown’s Little Theatre productions, the very talented Alexander Kulcsar always brings interesting characterizations to his roles. He was in top form; but then again, he has never given anything but fine performances.

In The Shop at Sly Corner, Mr Kulcsar is a man with a past, rather in the same vein as Jean Valjean the hero in Les Miserables: a complex character who is not always what he seems to be. As the shop owner Descious Heiss, Mr Kulcsar ranges from pitiable to powerful, from insensitive to a deeply loving man.

The other particularly outstanding and credible portrayal was gingerly and expertly done by Kevin Moore. As the thief Archie Fellowes, he is funny and endearing. This was Mr Moore’s debut with Square One, and this reviewer hopes he will be back in other productions for some of the 11th season’s offerings.

The rest of the cast did a good job, albeit some were a bit stiff in their roles and the housekeeper a little too-too. But the second half of the production was so good, it came together to make it an evening worth the time and (reasonable) ticket.

Directed by Tom Holehan, who is the artistic director and co-founder of Square One, there is always a rational thinking in his productions. There is a devoted audience at this theatre and shows are very much appreciated by the viewers.

(Square One is a cozy converted cinema at 2422 Main Street, quite close to the train station. Tickets for senior citizens and students are a little less, at $13 rather than $14. Final performances are on Friday, May 26, at 8 pm; and Saturday, May 27, at 4 and 8 pm.)