PLAY REVIEW Cast will make you laugh in 'Lie, Cheat

Keep your eye on the housekeeper -- she steals the show.
By STEPHANIE UJHELYI
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SALEM -- In Tom Buckle's world, stealing isn't really stealing. It's borrowing.
Tom is one of the lead characters in "Lie, Cheat and Genuflect," a sidesplitting series of mishaps by misfits. The play opened Friday at Salem Community Theatre and runs this weekend and next.
Tom, played by Dan Haueter, and his brother Billy (Jared Mason) attempt to defraud their late grandfather's estate out of big bucks to pay off Tom's gambling debts. Tom's horse-playing habit drained away all of Billy's savings, and he is in debt to a loan shark.
The two brothers expect to inherit nothing from their rich grandfather, who made his money selling belt buckles. That's because their father was disowned for going into the suspenders business.
All of Grandpa's money is destined to go to their adopted cousin Lisa Buckle. So the Buckle brothers plan to kidnap Lisa, pose as her -- and collect her inheritance.
Billy dresses as Lisa, who is a nun. That's when the twists really begin, as the two men build their story with deception.
Cast
Director Craig Snay assembled a wonderful cast to kick off this first show of 2007.
Haueter, a law enforcement officer during the day, was perfect as the smarmy Tom Buckle, the crook with a soft spot. His facial expressions made his character that more memorable and believable.
Jared Mason shined as nitwit Billy.
Eric Kibler and Roger Gaskins were awesome as mobster Pizza Face Petrillo and newbie attorney Robert Fryburger.
Amanda Stewart, Danielle Jackson and Connie Baer were convincing as Miss Macintosh, Jane Doemaker and the blonde girl with the baby.
Denise Sculli stole the show as the hard-drinking, man-hungry housekeeper Virginia.
X"Lie, Steal and Genuflect" will be staged at 8 p.m. tonight and Jan. 26-27; and at 2 p.m. Sunday and Jan. 28. Tickets are 14 for adults, 10 for senior citizens and 8 for students. Call the box office at (330) 332-9688. The theater is at 490 E. State St., Salem.