Murder for Two (Hayes Theatre) ★★★★★

Music & book by Joe Kinosian, lyrics & book by Kellen Blair. Hayes Theatre. 4 Aug – 3 Sep, 2023.

I’m just going to come out and say what I’m thinking. Murder for Two is the best thing I’ve seen at the Hayes Theatre in years. It’s exactly the kind of show the venue is perfect for and exactly the kind of show I needed to see right now. Grab a ticket and get ready to laugh.

In the home of Great American Novelist Arthur Whitney, a surprise party is waiting to kick off. Dahlia Whitney (Maverick Newman) is trying to get her party full of people into their hiding places before Arthur arrives. The group consists of Barrette Lewis (Maverick Newman), prima ballerina, Dr. Griff (Maverick Newman), the local psychiatrist, Whitney’s niece Stef (Maverick Newman) and old neighbours Murray and Barb Flandon (played by Maverick Newman & Maverick Newman). When Whitney is shot as he enters the party, police officer / wannabe Detective Marcus Moscowicz (Gabbi Bolt) sees his chance to prove he’s up to the task.

If the title font on the poster didn’t give it away, the vibe here is very much Knives Out (although the play debuted 8 years before the film came out). A musical murder/mystery comedy that definitely leans heavily toward the comedy. The jokes evolve and take on a life of their own over the course of the plays 100 minutes to the point of lunacy. 

This is a classic case of something incredibly intricate being made to look simple and slapshot. The sheer level of choreography involved in bringing these characters and songs to life is mind-boggling (both Newman and Bolt share piano-playing duties, often switching mid-song). When I wasn’t crying from laughter, I was admiring the slickness of the apparent mayhem.

Maverick Newman is clearly the star of this extravaganza playing nearly a dozen different roles, most simultaneously. It’s a master-class in character work as each is instantly identifiable with a change of posture and facial expression. Newman is doing an IronMan triathalon of physical comedy every night. Each role has its own style and timing. It’s thrilling to watch.

Gabbi Bolt holds the whole show together, a sympathetic centre to the hurricane of madness around her. Her more subtle, but just as side-splitting, delivery is pure gold. As the protocol-following officer, pretending to be a detective, she gets the vast bulk of exposition as well as a charming romantic subplot. 

Director Richard Carroll keeps things tight, simplifying all distractions to maximum comedic effect. The set by Keerthi Subramanyam channels Agatha Christie / drawing room murder mysteries while hiding a plethora of gags, and lighting by Priyanka Martin keeps things fresh and focused. Nothing draws your focus away from the humour. 

Writer Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair have stuffed the script full of oddities and clashing tones that kept me giggling non-stop (one throw-away meta-joke about musical theatre got the biggest laugh of the night that almost derailed the performance I saw). The show is aware of its own stupidity and plays into it wholeheartedly.

After a number of big shows that failed to fully translate to the small Hayes space, it’s great to see it now being used to its full potential. The focus here is on the sharp, witty writing and two excellent performances – and that’s the perfect mix. This one is worth every cent.