Taking a Stab at Mystery

Bree Beelow as LeeAnn (left) and Matt Bowdren as Eric (right) in Murder Girl at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Photo credit: Michael Brosilow.

A review of Murder Girl

by Charlie Fetters, age 15

It’s rare to see a show that fully encapsulates you as an audience member. It’s easy to become distracted and lose focus when you’re not engaged fully in a show; Murder Girl is one of the rare few in which you cannot take your eyes off the stage. The killer story of Murder Girl covers the aspects of life people find most difficult—family quarrels, relationships, small town drama, even death—and the hilarity in it all. This show is an absolute must-see. With a talented cast, an amazing set, a series of stage fights, and a unique whodunnit story to tell, this Milwaukee Chamber Theatre production is one of a kind.

This cast is absolutely fantastic. The chemistry they have on stage, the way they feed off of each other’s energy, and their ability to create such an engaging atmosphere is unmatched. It’s especially difficult to find a singular actor who stands out when each and every one of them has a unique style they bring to the stage. Bree Beelow as LeeAnn does an incredible job at bringing the quirkiness and charm to her character, and she performs impressively in the emotional aspect as well. Her ability to show what her character is truly feeling without hesitation makes her performance believable in a way that makes you think that you are watching a true story unfold. I found Matt Bowdren as her brother Eric to be exceptionally entertaining in emotional scenes. The way he is able to build emotion through a scene, his facial expressions, and his voice are what make his acting particularly outstanding. I found the best example of this to be in moments of outbursts, as you can see the way he gets increasingly angry or upset as a scene plays out.

The two Charlottes (Colleen Madden and Carrie Hitchcock) may be the funniest duo I’ve seen on stage yet. They truly bring the set to life through their use of space and their comedic timing. Even in the most serious scenes, there was never a dull moment, as they always found a way to make the entire audience roar in laughter.

Finally, Ted (played by Joe Lino) is a character that I found very interesting. As the show progressed, I found myself drawn to him because of his more calm demeanor and how he interacted with the rest of the cast. The way he was able to confront other actors made for captivating scenes throughout the show. Overall, this cast’s ability to portray the effect that a haunting death has on the characters is incredible and something that cannot be recreated.

While the show did not necessarily require a complex set or special lighting, the use of the space and props made the experience much more memorable. The set shows off everything you could possibly find in a pub: neon signs, a tv, memorabilia, a “wall of fame,” and copious amounts of alcohol (of course). While it may not seem like much, I found it difficult to find a time in which they weren’t using these props and the general space to its full potential. Even in seemingly normal scenes, there would be a blackout or lighting cue that caused a stark contrast between the normal scenes, leaving you to wonder what was coming next. I applaud the scenic builders and designers (Adam Hastings, KyLee Hennes, and Lisa Schlenker) and the lighting designer (Ellie Rabinowitz) for their creative genius and the efforts they put into this.

If you enjoy stage fights, Murder Girl has plenty for you to see. There are absolutely hilarious moments with weapons, serious moments turned violent, and plenty of action-packed scenes. If you’re looking for a show that can provide storytelling through moments like these, I absolutely recommend that you see this one. Even in the most suspenseful parts of this play, there was something new being added to the story and the characters, eventually revealing what truly happened.

Murder Girl is for those who want an immersive experience and a creative take on a whodunnit mystery. This show kept me absolutely hooked from the beginning because of the way this team created such a strong story. It’s got everything you could possibly ask: an impressive, engaging cast, a memorable set, an array of stage combat, and a haunting mystery to tell. While I recommend this MCT production to audiences 13+ due to the show materials, I believe that it is a show that absolutely everyone can appreciate in some aspect.

Catch Murder Girl and more at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre!