STAGE REVIEWS : ‘MURDER AMONG FRIENDS’ TAKES A STAB AT INTRIGUE

“Murder Among Friends” at Newport Theatre Arts Center has sparks of wit and suspense, but not enough of either to light a fire under this rather mundane murder mystery. Bob Barry’s tale of infidelity, blackmail and counterfeit corpus delicti among the rich and famous is bolstered by some solid performances, but the play itself never rises much above what its title suggests--a lightweight whodunit.

The plot premise is ripe with intrigue. For starters, the independently wealthy wife of a narcissistic Broadway star wants her husband out of the way so that she can marry his very handsome, very young and (we suspect) very ambitious agent. Barry introduces some surprising plot twists and cynical humor along the way, but ultimately the contrived situations and characters keep the audience at arm’s length.

In addition, director William Waxman has made a discordant casting choice that undermines one of the script’s most intriguing relationships. Sally Nicholson’s youth works against her in the role of the faithless wife, who is repeatedly described in the dialogue as “an old broad” whose ingenue days are over. Even allowing for sarcastic exaggeration, Nicholson simply doesn’t fill the bill. An affair between an attractive young wife and a handsome young opportunist is one thing, but an affair between a more mature (albeit well-preserved) wife of 15 years and a handsome young opportunist is quite another--and it would be infinitely more interesting.

Partly because of this, Nicholson and David Mason Daniels as the double-crossing agent never jell as a convincing pair. Mitchell Nunn fares much better as the pompous, self-absorbed Broadway star whose vanity provides comic relief. Mary Sullivan Slack stands out as the couple’s catty friend caught in the marital cross fire, and Josh Mowery, as the mysterious intruder, is absorbing (and full of surprises), cranking up the tension level with his nervous energy.

“Murder Among Friends” will play through April 19 at Newport Theatre Arts Center, 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach. For information, call 631-0288.