Sierra Turnpike Players Bring Melodramatic Inanity to Downieville

From left to right: Robert Baker, Hilary Lozano, Alison Baca, Tessa Jackson, Laura Marshall, Bryan Davey, and Garret Fevinger while perfoming in How to Host a Murder Mystery Dinner Party (in Fifteen Simple Steps) on the Yuba Theatre stage.

How to Host a Murder Mystery Dinner Party (in Fifteen Simple Steps) was performed by our local theatrical troupe, The Sierra Turnpike Players, last weekend at The Yuba Theatre in Downieville. On a stormy night in an isolated mansion, with the bridge out, the comedic cast of characters gathered to participate in a workshop hosted by rich and snooty Miss Penelope Michelin, played with aplomb by Tessa Jordan. The plot thickened as the ensemble cast were introduced and a variety of murder weapons and motives were revealed. The play’s unique ending utilized secret ballots gathered from the audience, who determined the killer in this maze of murder. There were many entertaining and hilarious performances by the large cast of quirky characters.

Almost every character in this ensemble mystery had the weapon, opportunity, and motive to commit a murder of every other character. The mad cap atmosphere of the production was enhanced by the theatrical device of it being presented as a “workshop” that included audience participation.

A stellar performance was delivered by Kevin Lozano as the intrepid detective sifting through the clues and characters including the two suspects chosen by ballot to be the murderers, a different choice each night. The author of this review voted for would-be-killers Bryan Davey (The Lady Killer), and Laura Marshall (The Maid). I would have killed the Host myself for the way she treated her maid. I wonder why Bryan is always chosen to play the lothario? Is it his handsome suave demeanor, or is that an act? And Laura does know how to flirt! Tina Floyd as The Free Spirit, was really acting because we all know she does not have her head in the clouds in real life. OOMMM. Bette Jo Lang as The Doctor (how appropriate was that?) expertly pronounced Miss Penelope to be EXTREMELY DEAD! Robert Baker is always hysterical on stage, knowing how to work the crowd, having begun his career at The Yuba Theatre in a variety of Downieville School productions. We always assume the butler did it and he was no exception. And who doesn’t enjoy seeing the Farmer Girls, Alison Baca and Hilary Lozano, on stage. Their exchanges were laden with subtext. Teresa Taylor certainly has the demeanor of The Lawyer down pat. One wonders where she learned to enunciate so expertly. The Lost Traveler, Garret Fevinger, was a crack up as he entered late and double-spoke his lines with adept alacrity. He had the audience in stiches. And how uproarious was Colin O’mara-Green, the Writer, as he explained his reasons(bad script writing) for committing the dastardly deed on Friday night. Kean Jordan as the Groundskeeper entered and exited with a variety of weapons and his innocence belied his guilt on Saturday.

It may have seemed like chaos on stage, but this production could not have happened without our intrepid director, Amber Baca-Sainsbury. Amber has been gracing the stage of the Yuba Theatre since she was a little girl. All that experience was manifest by the performances she was able to elicit from the actors. And she was able to do it without raising her voice. Well done, Amber.

The audience was also treated to hors d'oeuvres and treats as they sifted through their notes and clues and discussed their outcome with other audience members. Thank you to our servers Mia Martinelli, Gaby Sainsbury, and the Jackson Cousins – Arianne, Rudy and Landon.

The Sierra Turnpike Players have been presenting local community theater in Sierra County since 1994. The troupe’s first play, Strange Tales of the Sierra Turnpike Players, was performed in the one-room, Goodyear’s Bar Schoolhouse, four miles downriver from Downieville. Beginning in 1996, the Arts Council was instrumental in helping to renovate the theater and transform it into a performing arts venue where the Sierra Turnpike Players have performed ever since.

Karen Galan, The Pianist, not only acted, but added to the spooky atmosphere by playing eerie musical snippets at opportune moments. Authenticity of place and setting was enhanced by sound and light effects including new body-mics, that allowed everyone in the audience to enjoy the melodramatic inanity.

Our special thank you goes out to Tim Jordan, and Riley and Nigel Pearmund for their technical and production support.

Thanks, as well, to the entire community who contributed in so many ways to making the play possible. We couldn’t do it without you. The entire evening was a joy from beginning to end and a reminder of why we all live in and love our small town.