The Iberia Performing Arts League presents another installment of the popular Harry Monday mysteries (If It's Monday, It Must Be Christmas) tonight and tomorrow and next week on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This series of comic mysteries by Pat Cook is a cross between Murder, She Wrote and The Maltese Falcon. Harry Monday (Mike Berry) is a low rent PI brought in to discover who stole the Christmas payroll at Harrigan's Department Store--on Christmas Eve. The owner, Titus Harrigan (Donald Voorhies), traditionally passes out the Christmas payroll and bonuses in cash. On the advice of an employee, Loretta Mondello (Carmen Nicholson), he has stashed the money in a green wrapped package hidden among other packages waiting for pickup. To no one's surprise, the package is now missing.
Of course the cast teems with likely suspects. Among the store employees are Mr. Harrigan himself, his secretary (Martha Gilfoil), a sexy clerk with an eye for Monday (Erin Segura), a nice young man from the wrong side of the tracks (Travis Guillory) who is engaged to Harrington's adopted daughter (Sarah Leonard) and an elf (Blythe Bull) in search of a missing Santa who may have had more than toys in his bag. Ho, ho, ho!
Harrington also has a crosstown rival, Mildred Wolensky (Kristin Anderson) who knows more than she should about the situation. She has a spy in the organization--who?
This time out, Harry has a new aide--a con man named Louie Grandville (Michael Durand). And, of course, Harry's investigation is hampered by his perennial nemesis, Lietenant Brogan (Mike Boroto) and Brogan's prying young daughter (Isabell Gilfoil) who is determined to uncover the whereabouts of the missing Santa.
We even get a flashback to the origins of Monday's career back in elementary school. Young Monday is played hilariously by Matthew Lasseigne.
This is a by-the-numbers mystery which is fine because the mystery is just a hook for a series of verbal and physical gags. The characters are stock characters who don't need a lot of background story and that lets the actors get right down to the real business of creating unique and entertaining personalities. The set by Barbara Berry is particularly effective and attractive.
Treat the family to this fun show for the holidays. It is packed with IPAL stalwarts who are old hands at this kind of comedy and know just what they are doing. The newcomers to the cast do a fine job as well. Director Mac Stearns keeps things light and fast and keeps the plot threads clear enough to follow if you are the type to try to guess whodunnit.
IPAL has a well-oiled machine running this show including Nita LaCouture on the spotlight, Matthew Dugan as Stage Manager, the invaluable Gordon Bull on Sound, Michael Caffrey and Todd LeMaire designing the lights, and Fred Comeaux, Mike Berry and Mac Stearns building the set. Lobby decorations by Kristin Anderson, Martha and Isabell Gilfoil and concessions provided by the Acadiana Women Leaders.
The creative team--designers, director and cast of this show-- are all good and well worth your attention. But we sometimes forget how critical the contributions of the backstage crews can be. A fine cast in a cheesy-looking show is at a disadvantage. A wonderful show in a dirty and dreary theatre has no hope of success. The ticket office personnel and concession staff have to make you feel appreciated or you won't come back.
IPAL has a great family atmosphere. Your patronage is appreciated and they let you know it.
Finally--I wrote that this cast is packed with IPAL regulars. Don't get the idea that IPAL is closed to new talent. There are new people in this cast and in most of their casts. Audiences see the same faces so often because those are the people who actually come out to audition. Theatre is a wonderful experience and vey much open to newcomers. On stage or backstage, every theatre company in Acadiana is constantly looking for new faces.
You could be part of a great show like If It's Monday, It Must Be Christmas.
---Walter Brown
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