A NoHo Arts theatre review of “Widower in Paradise,” written and directed by Hiro Kosgaard, produced by David Dickens, running at The Sherry Theater through April 10.
“A Widower in Paradise” is an homage to all those dreadful, yet totally unmissable, garish reality dating/survivor/competition type shows we all love to hate. Two dastardly TV producers, desperate to recoup massive losses from their previous dating show disaster, cancelled after its first episode due to an as yet still unsolved murder on set, take a gamble, ask the widower of the previous show’s dead contestant back to compete for a million dollar prize. They also arrange for another widower to attend, who seems equally desperate to solve his own wife’s seemingly random and totally unconnected disappearance and, at the promise of more evidence to the crime, and a large sum of money donated to the producers, agrees to appear on the show. Along for the ride are the highly competitive Sherlock and Holmes, famous female crime podcasters with their own wildly successful and very separate shows. There is also an “influencer” – ditzy, gorgeous and annoying who plays the perfect ruse. The rest of the contestants, unfortunately, fall to their deaths when the bus from the airport plunges off a mysteriously collapsed bridge. This leave them all somewhat stranded at the luxury resort the producers booked in Somalia, where the beaches are endless, the extradition laws non-existent, and the police easily bribed. It’s a perfect premise for a night of ridiculously funny, and deliciously dark humour.
“A Widower in Paradise” is a whodunit full of camp and innuendo, alcohol, costume changes, saucy violence, death and liberal amounts of champagne, mostly for the audience. The cast is spectacular! Tawdry, unhinged and adorable.
Like the best kind of murder mystery game, it begins before you even expect it to, as you enter the theatre on the red carpet for the pre show party, where the audience is first introduced to the producers, eager to size up potential victims or potential patsies, slithering about, dropping clanging clues with unbridled sexual tension and disgust.
Brilliant!
As the show unfurls, it gets more and more intriguing as the storyline unravels and tensions rise. Just like those crazy shows, where you are entirely aware that the term ‘reality’ is a fiction and the editors rule, “Widower in Paradise’s” charm lies in its predictable unpredictability. The twist and turns so obviously fashioned are still ruinously riveting.
In short. It’s fantastic! It never pretends to be anything it’s not. And it delivers. Crass, braven, sticky and fun. Like the best date you never had!
There is sadly only one more weekend for this lovely. So call your friends and get clicking!! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/widower-in-paradise-tickets-280073927657
Cast
Starring Tenn Buick, Megan Colburn, Maggie Mae Fish, Kate Lý Johnston, L.V. Marcos, Jill Nigh, Caiti Wiggins, and Max Zumstein.
When:
Running March 27 through April 10, Friday & Saturday at 8.30pm and Sunday at 7pm
Where:
The Sherry Theater
11052 Magnolia Blvd.
NoHo Arts District
Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/widower-in-paradise-tickets-280073927657