TOWARDS ZERO
I was sooooo happy to see a show I really enjoyed. Trust me, that rarely happens these days.
I love whodunits, Agatha Christie, early curtains, and shows that begin on the dot of the time it’s called for! And Theatre 40’s new production, Towards Zero, has all that!
The cast of Towards Zero on the lobby board of Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills. Photo by Karen Salkin.
It’s been a while since I loved a play or entertainment, as you may be able to tell from my recent less-than-glowing reviews. So this was a wonderful show for my re-introduction to the venerable Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills, after almost four years away for me! That absence was due to the pandemic; the theatre itself was closed during the major chunk of it, (of course.) When theatres re-opened, I stayed away from all but the big ones, because they checked vaccination cards and enforced mask mandates. I still wear a mask at all places where someone is close to me, and I’m always a bit hesitant to return to cozy theatres such as this one. (I’m more Covid-cautious than just about anybody I know; I’m still a bit leery about being amidst strangers.)
But there was no way I was going to miss this fun presentation! And my friend Jeanine and I loved just about everything about Towards Zero.
(L-R) John Combs, David Hunt Stafford, Hisato Masuyama, and Kristin Towers-Rowles. Photo by Casey Durkin, as is the one at the top of this review, which features (L-R) Kristin Towers-Rowles, Hisato Masuyama, John Combs, Christopher Franciosa, and Katyana Rocker-Cook.
Neither of us knew anything about this Agatha Christie story, even though we’re both fans of the classic writer. I think that’s because it was never really a movie. (It’s a rather long tale about why it hasn’t been, so please research the topic for yourselves, if you’re curious.) But I was just talking about the author’s And Then There Were None the other day because Mr. X and I had recently seen the awful waste-of-time Bodies Bodies Bodies, which appeared to take its inspiration from that classic tale. I’m a tad sad to say that that new movie, and films of its ilk, can’t hold a candle to Agatha Christie mysteries. (As a matter of fact, Towards Zero inspired me so much that Mr. X and I watched two versions of And Then There Were None this week-end!)
So Theatre 40’s production of the tale was of extra interest to me. Just about everything about it is excellent.
First of all, (and probably most importantly,) is that the casting is close to perfect. I didn’t even question the actors’ British accents, (except for one, which I’ll tell you about in a minute.)
Jeremy Schaye and Holly Sidell. Photo by Casey Durkin.
Perhaps my favorite actor in the show is the understated Jeremy Schaye, as Thomas Royde, the character who enters first, because he looks like he stepped right out of an Agatha Christie movie! And his voice and diction sound exactly like it, as well. I love that!
I also got a kick out of the doyenne of the show, Michele Schultz. She’s perfect for her role as the grande old dame who owns the house where the action takes place.
And I marveled that although I had not seen actor and Artistic/Managing Director of Theatre 40, David Hunt Stafford, for four years now, he looks exactly the same as he did back then! That was comforting.
John Combs and Michele Schultz. Photo by Casey Durkin.
On a sidebar, I realized after we left that about a dozen years ago, when I reviewed a musical she was in, I had met Kristin Towers-Rowles, who plays the fiery redhead Kay here, (and whose wig matches her real hair just about exactly!) I feel bad that I didn’t get to remind her of this personal story about her beautiful movie star grandmother, Kathryn Grayson, which I shared with her back then. I’m re-telling it here because I get such a kick out of it. When I was a little girl, my family and I used to watch old films, many of them starring Ms. Grayson, which I was always fascinated by. And then when I grew-up and started doing my former television show, I got to join her for one of the silliest Hollywood events I’ve ever done. (I have a feeling she thought so, as well.) It was held in Century City and entitled Celebrity Pet Parade. So guess what we “celebs” did. We paraded our pets up Avenue of the Stars!!! It was kind-of surreal. But I loved it because I couldn’t believe I was actually “working with” Kathryn Grayson!
To add to the “famous relative” tip, handsome Christopher Franciosa, who plays the twice-married, oddly-named Neville Strange, is the son of, (you probably guessed it,) the late movie and TV star, Anthony Franciosa. It’s so interesting to see these actors following in their family members’ footsteps. And so up-close and in person!
(L-R) Michael Mullen, Hisato Masuyama, Kristin Towers-Rowles, and Christopher Franciosa. Photo by Casey Durkin.
Back to Towards Zero, I loved the set by Jeff G. Rack, as always; it is up to his usual fabulousness. And the costumes by Michael Mullen, who’s also in the play, are spot-on. Even the wigs, by Judi Levin, work!
My research showed me that there are two different versions of this story as a play, one in 1936 and one in 1956, which the program tells us this rendition is set in. But Jeanine and I both got a much more ’36 feeling from all the lovely set appointments and wardrobe, so we were a little confused about that. The specific year is actually of no matter to the tale, though, except that it’s a long ago time.
The set. Photo by Karen Salkin.
The only thing that is a tad strange about the show at all is the weird accent used by Hisato Masuyama, who plays an Inspector. I think it’s supposed to be cockney, but I’m not sure. I couldn’t understand a word he said, actually, and neither did many others around me—I kept hearing people whisper to each other things like, “What did he say?” But his role doesn’t affect the action of the play, so it’s really of no consequence; I’m just mentioning it so you don’t think you’re the only one who can’t make-out his lines when you see the play. And it actually sort-of adds to the amusement of the presentation, so perhaps he designed it that way.
Speaking of lines, there is one I particularly appreciated. I don’t know if it comes directly from Agatha Christie herself, or if this production added it, but it’s a subtle cheeky nod to how her murder mysteries are constructed. Thomas shares this line from a book he’s reading regarding murder fiction, “The murders are not really the beginning of the story.” That lets the audience know that a murder is, indeed, coming. I love that concept.
Katyana Rocker-Cook and Michael Mullen. Photo by Casey Durkin.
I can assure you that everyone needs to see this one! The play is wonderful and the theatre is such a comfortable place. And let me remind you—it’s all easy free parking there! And you can even usually change your seats if you don’t like them, which you can’t do in any other theater. (Just bring something warm to wear—it was freezing on opening night. Perfect temperature for a murder!)
Towards Zero running through October 22, 2023
Theatre 40 241 S. Moreno Drive Beverly Hills
310-364-0535 www.theatre40.org
