Don Bialik, left, and Ken Sollazzo work together to solve the crime in “The Unexpected Guest,” on stage at the Orinda Community Center amphitheater now through July 1. (Photo by Charles Jarrett)

When a stranger appears at her door one foggy evening, the flustered matron of a South Wales estate (Dorian Taylor as Laura Warwick) is forced to think fast. She concocts a hasty story to explain the dead body the visitor has discovered seated in a wheelchair by her window, unwittingly setting in motion a fantastic sequence of potential criminal scenarios in Agatha Christie’s confounding murder mystery, “The Unexpected Guest,” on stage at the Orinda Community Park now through Saturday, July 1.
Directed by Suzan Lorraine, the Orinda Starlight Village Players production is a fast-paced and cleverly staged rendition of Christie’s marvelously unpredictable tale of revenge, deceit and murder. While George Doerr gives a satisfactory performance of the wily and probing stranger, Cameron Dodd offers a phenomenal portrayal of Laura’s intellectually compromised and highly curious brother-in-law Jan, and Don Bialik grounds the unfolding action as a stolid Inspector Thomas. Taylor lends grace and mystique to her role as the lovely, though potentially murderous matron.
Laura soon clumsily admits her guilt to her unfortunate visitor, who has only come seeking help after running his car into a ditch in the fog. Intrigued by her confession, and at the same time smitten by her strange beauty, he is compelled to help Laura come up with another explanation for the crime, to deflect suspicion away from herself.
The Starlight production is enhanced by an attractive and effective set and imaginative lighting, and by the romantic backdrop of the dark, woodsy enclave in the park. Last Friday’s opening night performance was a bit choppy in early scenes, but by the close of the first act all of the kinks had smoothed and the second act proceeded more evenly to its “unexpected” conclusion.
Fans of the great dame of English mystery writing will surely enjoy the charming performance under the stars, located in the Community Park adjacent to the Orinda Community Center. Shows begin as the skies begin to darken, at 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and once at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 25.
While the Starlight Players specialize in Christie mysteries, “Guest” is the only work by the playwright to be included in the troupe’s 2017 season roster. Next up is Malcolm Cowler’s adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz,” opening Friday, July 21, then the season concludes with Robert Merrill’s “5 Door Farce,” opening Friday, Sept. 1.

If You Go

“The Unexpected Guest” continues at the Orinda Community Center amphitheatre, located behind the buildings at 28 Orinda Way, Orinda through Saturday, July 1. Tickets are $20 and are available at the box office before each show, or email info@orsvp.org for reservations. Note that the troupe is a small theatre company and cannot accept credit cards. Cash or check only please. For more information, visit the website at www.orsvp.org or call 925-528-9225.

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