The Butler Did It - Park Square Theater

photo: Dan Norman

What makes a good murder mystery? Is it the murder? How the person was killed? Well, sometimes that can be an interesting process, but not often. Is it the reason the villain gives for the killing? Maybe, especially if that reason rounds out the villains character, or provides more insight into the other characters. Is it how the crime get solved? How the mind of the inspector works? This, I think, is the core of what creates a good murder mystery. And this is where the success of Jeffrey Hatcher's "The Butler Did It", now playing at Park Square Theatre, is found.

Going into the piece, I think that beyond the films "Stage Beauty" and "Mr. Holmes", this is my first experience with a Jeffrey Hatcher script. I know, that seems nuts considering I live in the Twin Cities where the History Theatre has been performing his show Glensheen on the regular since 2015. However, now I know why he is one of the most produced playwrights in America. What luck that we have such a vibrant Theatre Community producing so much of his work. In fact, this is the first of five Hatcher-written mysteries that Park Square is scheduled to produce in the next few summers. What better way to keep cool than to be chilled by a mystery on stage. And if they are like the play I saw, the next number of summers at Park Square are going to be fantastic!

So, what is the play about? From the notes in the program, this was originally an idea that Hatcher had after he wrote an episode for the TV show Columbo. While the name of the inspector in the play is not Columbo, if you know the character that Peter Falk played, you can see some similarities. Directed by David Ira Goldstein, the show takes place in 1975 in the library of the Portman School for Gentlemen's Gentlemen, a school that teaches people how to be butlers, to have a life in service. We meet Portman (Steve Hendrickson), his assistant Merriman (Pearce Bunting), along with their three students - Emma (Anna Beth Baker), Tony (Neal Beckman), and Nicholas (Peter Christian Hansen). We quickly see at the start where each student stands in terms of skill sets, and how far along they are in the six week training. One of them is about to graduate, and as a final test the student has to serve a specific menu to Portman. The stage empties and we see the student prep...a gun, and a recording of a gunshot? However, we also see the tables get turned and the possible murderer become the victim. And yes, the butler did do it. But which butler, and why? That is the core of the story and it is good, keeping the audience interested, on the edge of their seats, and laughing as well. 

photo: Dan Norman

The production values on this work are fantastic, and perfectly done. While a single set, there are quite a few moving parts to it, and the lighting, sound, costuming, and props all serve the work perfectly. The performances throughout were so fun to watch. Allison Vincent, as Inspector Denise, plays the part with relish, clearly enjoying every minute in this character. We also have the incomparable Norah Long appear in Act Two as Lady Caroline, so you know you are in for a good show. Playing till Aug 16, you will want to take a break from the heat, and enjoy a night, or matinee at the theatre. You will not be disappointed.