Through June 29: Stages St. Louis’ “Murder for Two” Turns Sleuthing into Showbiz
This madcap musical two-hander unleashes a killer performances with quick-change chaos, piano duels and comic invention where the whodunit is beside the point
In “Murder for Two,” now playing at Stages St. Louis, murder is merely the appetizer in a deliciously chaotic theatrical feast. Under the spirited and refreshingly hands-off direction of Michael Kostroff, the production becomes a playground for two virtuosic performers who are given full license to unleash their comic and musical prowess. The result is a 90-minute whirlwind of vaudevillian flair, musical mischief and theatrical sleight-of-hand—all set against the cleverly whimsical backdrop of Ann Beyersdorfer’s scenic design, which transforms a single piano and a parlor into a dynamic, ever-shifting world of mystery and mirth.
If you’ve been doomscrolling the news or numbing yourself with endless reruns of “Law & Order” and “Murder, She Wrote,” it’s time to close the laptop and experience a live-action mystery that feels like Agatha Christie went off her Adderall and decided to write a musical instead. Fans of “The Play That Goes Wrong” will feel right at home here—the same spirit of theatrical anarchy and precision-timed chaos is alive and well.
Jeremiah Ginn is a theatrical whirlwind, conjuring an entire cast of suspects with nothing more than a hat, a gesture and a dizzying array of voices. One moment he’s the grieving Southern belle widow (with hints of Edith Bunker from “All In the Family”), the next a sultry ballerina, a precocious niece, a grizzled psychiatrist or even an entire boys’ choir—each character rendered with such specificity and comic precision that it’s easy to forget there’s only one actor behind them all. Ginn’s transformations are so rapid and distinct they verge on the surreal.
Yet this isn’t a one-man show. Ian Fairlee, as Officer Marcus Moscowicz, provides the perfect counterbalance—a steady, sincere presence whose bewildered determination grounds the whirlwind. Together, Ginn and Fairlee form a dazzling duo, their chemistry and timing elevating the production into a masterclass of comic performance.
What makes this production sparkle and spin is Kostroff’s directorial generosity. He gives his actors the freedom to explore, expand and explode within the show’s elastic structure. The result is a performance that feels spontaneous, electric and deeply collaborative. Kostroff’s steady hand ensures that the chaos never devolves into confusion, allowing the comedy to (mostly) land with precision and the musical numbers to dazzle.
Beyersdorfer’s set is marvelous. At first glance, it’s a well-appointed, vintage parlor with a grand piano at its center. But as the show unfolds, the design reveals itself to be a character in its own right. Hidden compartments, cheeky visual gags and subtle nods to classic mystery tropes (yes, “Clue”-style weaponry makes an appearance) all contribute to the show’s immersive, tongue-in-cheek atmosphere. It’s a set that supports the performers while slyly winking at the audience—a perfect match for the show’s tone.
The book and lyrics by Kellen Blair, with music by Joe Kinosian, are packed with clever wordplay and genre-savvy humor. Songs like “Protocol Says” and “A Lot Woise” are both narrative tools and comedic gems, delivered with verve by the two leads, who also share piano duties with impressive musicality.
The plot is, appropriately, a red herring. The real intrigue lies in how two actors can sustain such a high level of energy and invention for 90 minutes straight. But under Kostroff’s direction and with Beyersdorfer’s imaginative design, “Murder for Two” becomes more than a musical comedy. It’s a love letter to theater itself—to the magic of transformation, the thrill of live performance, and the joy of a well-timed punchline.
Stages St. Louis has delivered a fizzy, fast-paced confection that’s as smart as it is silly. It may be built on a murder, but this is one production that pulses with loopy life.
Stages St. Louis’ “Murder for Two” continues at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center through June 29. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org.