'Accomplice' Takes You by Surprise
This year's Lancaster Opera mystery has more twists than a pretzel shop
By the time it’s all over, everyone in the audience can be considered an accomplice in “Accomplice,” the wickedly twisty mystery now having its way on the Lancaster Opera House stage. That’s because, once the dust has settled and we’ve caught our breath, we’re asked not to reveal any of the many surprises “Accomplice” has in store.
Which can make reviewing the show rather tricky.
What I can say is that “Accomplice” is fast-paced, quick-witted and great fun, along the lines of “Sleuth,” “Deathtrap” and “The Mousetrap.” Set among the gentry in an English country house, the plot has a P.G. Wodehouse-meets-Agatha Christie sensibility, part tongue-in-cheek, part knife-in-back.
As the story opens, Derek and Janet Taylor are at home, awaiting company and mixing cocktails. Janet for some reason has purchased a low-calorie mixer for the drinks, making for a substandard gin and tonic. Why, Derek wonders, would you try to make a drink that already is inherently bad for you healthier? “Dammit Janet!,” he says. His G&T was simply “Rocky Horror”-ble!
In such ways does pop culture keep popping up.
Anyway, we can tell you that the guests are Derek’s coworker John and his airheaded wife, Melinda.
The weather is rainy, and the hospitality is questionable.
The multi-tiered set by Lou Iannone serves a multitude of purposes, well-supported by Nicholas Quinn’s lighting and effects.
And the play was written by Rupert Holmes, the guy from “The Pina Colada” song.
The cast includes talented Lancaster stalwart John Kaczorowski, who was Leo Bloom in the summer hit “The Producers,” and Tara Kaczorowski, who also shared the stage with her husband in LOH’s “Their Playing Our Song” in 2023. Luke Halferty and SUNY Fredonia grad Sydney Conrad round out the house party, all under the sleight-of-hand direction of Fran Landis.
Misdirection is the name of this game, reminding me of a favorite movie scene, from “Victor/Victoria,” which I AM allowed to talk about. Robert Preston (who is the best part of that film) is persuading Julie Andrews to do a nightclub act in which she plays a singing female impersonator. They’ll call him Polish Count Victor Grazinsky.
Victoria says it won’t work – having a woman pretending to be a man – nobility, no less! -- who is pretending to be a woman onstage. “They’ll know he’s a phony!” she argues.
“Exactly!” Preston exclaims. “They’ll know HE’s a phony!”
“Accomplice” is like that, without the female impersonations. You know what you’re seeing isn’t what’s really happening, but your best guess will probably be only half right. Anyone who loves mysteries and puzzles will get a kick out of trying to keep up, and good luck with that.
Just remember, once you’re in on the secret, you can’t tell anyone. Don’t be guilty of ruining their adventure.
“Accomplice” continues through Feb. 16 at the Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $35; $33 for seniors; $20 for students, at lancasteropera.org.