STAGE REVIEW : Production Adds Up to Quite a Bit in ‘Corpse!’

On the surface, Gerald Moon’s British whodunit “Corpse!” seems betrayed by an overworked plot: Prancing actor Evelyn Farant wants some money, lots of it. His identical twin Rupert has money, lots of it. What to do? Why, bump off brother and take his place in opulent West End society, of course.

If that doesn’t seem to add up to much, don’t worry. The Resident Theatre Company’s production at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center actually adds up to quite a bit. Director Robert Robinson has taken Moon’s forceful and funny dialogue and placed it at center stage. He has also told his actors--a uniformly capable group--to have at it and enjoy themselves, which they do almost recklessly.

And as far as that seemingly exhausted plot is concerned, Moon arranges for everything to get complicated--and fast. It doesn’t take long for Evelyn (Jack Marston) to move from musing about murder to getting on with the deed, and by the time shadowy Maj. Ambrose Powell is pulled in on the dirty business, “Corpse!” is rolling.

Marston--who plays both Evelyn and Rupert in some quick change sleight-of-body action--is especially impressive. Making his entrance in flouncy drag, yapping about this and that in a wenchy yodel--and then gradually revealing Evelyn as an icy (though stylish) sociopath--he consistently is a kick to watch.

At times, he may seem to go too far, his British accent may seem too heavy and his gestures too exaggerated. But the approach is in sync with the production’s overall, flirtatious tone.

Marston gets sharp support from Marnie Crossen as Mrs. McGee, Evelyn’s boozy, aging neighbor who is interested in a dalliance, and from Rick Franklin as the dangerous (though somewhat dim) Powell.

Gil Morales’ revolving set is remarkable. At first, it is a stylized version of a cheap English flat, dingy and dark from floor to ceiling. Then, as the story develops, it becomes Rupert’s lavish Art Deco townhouse, all done up in soft whites and moneyed affectations. Steve Pliska’s lighting and Mela Hoyt-Heydon’s period costumes help accentuate the quality look of “Corpse!”

‘CORPSE!’

A Resident Theatre Company production of Gerald Moon’s play. Directed by Robert Robinson. With Jack Marston, Marnie Crossen, Rick Franklin and Brian Kojac. Sets by Gil Morales. Lighting by Steve Pliska. Sound by Brad Williams. Costumes by Mela Hoyt-Heydon. Plays Thursday through Sunday at 8:15 p.m. (dinner at 7 p.m.) through Aug. 28 at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton. Tickets: $18-$20. (714) 992-7432.