Actors mix with audience in 'Murder on the Mount'

The story follows Greek gods through love and murder.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
LIBERTY -- Greek gods were said to be immortal, but it's the actors who are the divine part of Main Course Murder's new mystery dinner theater show, "Murder on the Mount."
A Friday night with the Main Course Murder franchise at Holiday Inn MetroPlex consists of a leisurely dinner, a lightly humorous play and a little mystery, as even mere mortals get into the act.
The story features Eris, who is the source of many dirty deeds. Moral, nerdy, sexually-starved Apollo wants to be with Athena, the dim-witted goddess of wisdom who's pursued by Dionysus but desires vain Adonis. His lover, fertile Aphrodite, is warned by Dionysus that mighty, unseen Zeus doesn't like the gods to fraternize in this manner.
It's all love, games and bickering on mythical Mount Olympus until the unthinkable happens -- Dionysus, the god of wine and life, keels over after drinking what must have been a lethal cocktail. Gods don't die, let alone solve murders, so Zeus sends Adonis to Earth to find an experienced detective.
Strong cast
It takes effort to capture fresh humor in one's writing and to favor clever plays on words over easy clich & eacute;s. So it's really funny when playwright Jan Kennedy of Canton succeeds, as when Eres says of Athena: "You've heard of photographic memory, right? She has no film."
Those gems would be too few and far between were it not for the efforts and improvisational skills of the cast, which as directed by John E. Ballantyne Jr. spends as much time in the audience as onstage.
Lori Broderick portrays Eris with a perfect combination of mischief, arrogance and intimidation. Watch how she curls her tongue after making a blistering comment, as if she's savoring something delicious, and listen as her voice rises and falls in tune with her character's moods.
Roger Gaskins has big biceps and a booming voice to be a convincing Adonis, and he seemed to have the most fun while interacting with patrons. Brandy Johanntges -- AKA Rock 104 radio personality Brandy -- is surprisingly sharp as Aphrodite; who knew she has a dozen years of theater experience? Matt Coonrod hams it up as Apollo, and Shaina Vencel has the wide-eyed innocence of a virgin goddess. Jim Petuch fares much better as Dionysus than as the earthly detective who's introduced in the second act.
Rest of experience
The costumes are good, the sound effects a little rough (particularly the clap of thunder that reflect Zeus' anger), and the play's points of reference (from the 1920s to today) a little too broad for viewing comfort.
The MetroPlex staff delivers on its part of the deal. I can only vouch for the roasted pork loin (my discriminating husband's choice) and Mediterranean chicken (good despite not being served with artichokes as described). Other entrees are salmon in a sherry wine sauce and pasta with vegetables and tomato sauce. The first course was the nicest touch -- tangy peppers in oil with crumbled feta cheese, olive tapenade and grilled ciabatta bread. Salad, rolls, dessert and coffee are included.
shaulis@vindy.com