John William See's The Lady Cries Murder, Lamplighter's current offering, was premiered by the San Diego Rep almost 22 years ago, and it has aged well. Placed in 1938, the story is a classic detective tale of the period, cram-packed with twists. See has a special talent for the unique language of the film-noir style. The script is also rich in interesting, almost contemporary, phrases that add extra bite to the dialogue.
See's plot plays on three levels: First, there is radio scripter, Sartone, who has developed a popular detective series; second, there are the actors playing the characters in his scripts; and, finally, there are characters who think they are real -- notably Detective Diamond. (One immediately wonders if Larry Gelbart saw the play and was inspired to write the book for the musical City of Angels.)
Since The Lady Cries Murder is multi-dimensional and takes place in various locations, it requires that the set help the audience get through the delightful morass of the script. Wiley Ellis' set design, while quite attractive, doesn't delineate locations adequately. While Jeremy Hastings lighting helps considerably, he could have provided even more added definition, possibly with coloring each dimension slightly differently or highlighting with a color clue. Sound designer Michael Shapiro sets the mood and period quite well. Costumes by Lois Corbett & Dee Quiroz add authenticity.
Christopher Armour, as fictional Detective Philip Diamond, does a nice job of portraying the often frustrated shamus. Domino Torres, who is either Marsha or Grace or ???, is delightful on stage. Together they do a progressive drunk scene that is hilarious. David Paye, as writer Sartone, has a nice range. Frank Godinez, saddled with three roles, handles each with aplomb. In a virtual cameo (I think one line), newcomer Linda Kaplan, as Vivian, proves vivacious in the play closer. Joey Minnich, in dual roles of Wadsworth and Raoul, maintains his easy stage presence. William Thomas Jones' uptight Raymond Chandler goes a bit over-the-top. The large cast also includes Ryan Corrow, Rob Roy, Christopher Tanner; Elizabeth Spring, Rachel Mower, Lois Corbett, Casey Hulette, and Elizabeth Spring, many with double roles - and too many over projecting.
The Lady Cries Murder has a fun, albeit complex and, often, confusing, script. It requires a firm directorial interpretation and control of all of the different dimensions. Too much sameness sinks what should have been distinctively different feels for each dimension.
