REVIEW: ‘Postmortem’ eases along to finish that will make you jump

One promise can be made to patrons of the Old Lyric Repertory Company production of “Postmortem,” the third of four summer offerings:

You will jump. Guaranteed.

There is gunplay aplenty in the Ken Ludwig-penned murder mystery and that gunplay is unexpected enough and comes often enough, that patrons flinch and jerk and gasp several times as the whodunnit winds to a conclusion.

But, except for those moments of unexpected commotion, the production plods along at an even keel, with just above average — but not necessarily memorable — performances. That is, except for the production staff, which is way above average.

In a very real sense, the set design (by Shawn Fisher) and the lighting design (by Jarod Larsen) are the real stars. The set is sumptuous enough to eat. It drips of intrigue and perfectly surrounds the cast in a 1930ish Connecticut country mansion. The lighting is likewise perfect, right down to the lasers in the eye of the portrait of the dead. Lighting becomes a character in itself, with storms and lightning, seance scenes and dim lights in the parlor, all of which allow discreet movement and increase the intrigue on stage.

“Postmortem” spins the yarn of William Gillette (played by the durable Kent Hadfield) as he tries to find out who might have murdered his fiance a year before. Gillette is an actor, famous for his roles as Sherlock Holmes, and fancies himself a pretty good detective. He invites likely suspects Bobby Carlyle (Andrew Dolan), May Dison (Amanda Jones), Leo Barrett (Jon McBride), Lilly Warner (Leecia Bloss) and Louise Paradine (Lacey Jackson) to a dinner party and the mystery is underway.

Jackson is most memorable of the ensemble as she plays a roommate to the deceased, particularly during a scene where she portrays a medium that is, well, more than average. Everyone stays perfectly in character throughout the production, most of the OLRC actors portraying actors that knew Maude, the fiance, and all who had a motive for her death. Opening moments are more lighthearted than the ending, with jokes about death and dying helping to introduce the characters. Unfortunately, the final few moments lie flat after the mystery is solved.

But, still, pay attention and be prepared to jump.

“Postmortem,” directed by Lynda Linford

Running time: 2 hours, 11 minutes, one intermission.

Caine Lyric Theatre, 28 W. Center St., Logan

Tickets: 752-1500.