'Angels': Murder And Mayhem In Quogue

This past weekend in Quogue, murder was on the minds of several dozen people gathered at the Community Hall. And it will be again this weekend, and the one after that too.

But not to worry, the homicides were justifiable. And in the end, nearly everyone was happy, with the exception of those who went off to meet their maker, in the Hampton Theatre Company’s production of “My Three Angels.”

Set in Cayenne, French Guiana, on Christmas Eve in 1910, the play, written by Sam and Bella Spewak, features the Ducotel family—comely Marie Louise, her no-nonsense but kindhearted mother, Emilie, and her hopelessly hapless father, Felix—and three lovable convicts who manage to save the day for their hosts. Each of the Ducotels are in a bit of a crisis: Marie Louis, played by the lovely Emily Karpiuk (and though she sang just one short lyric, it was immediately apparent that this woman has a beautiful voice), is about to lose the man she loves, and her parents, played ably by Catherine Maloney and Blake Walton, are on the cusp of financial ruin. Their fates lie in the hands of the miserly and mean-spirited bully, Henri Trochard, played with enthusiastic gusto by Terry Brockbank.

Enter the three convicts/angels, lovable scoundrels who manage to solve all of the Ducotel family’s problems overnight. As the title indicates, these guys are the real stars of the show. There’s Joseph, played by the charming Edward Kassar, a thieving felon who could sell ice cubes to Eskimos; Jules, played to the hilt by Tom Byrn, a murderer who strangled his cheating wife (“I wasn’t born in a cell, but I wasn’t sent here for biting my fingernails either.”); and Alfred, played pitch perfectly by Nick Masson, a lovestruck romantic who also just happens to be a particularly violent murderer.

Despite the fact that these three are convicted felons, the audience, and the other players on the stage, has no choice but to root for them. They, after all, are the good guys. A couple of people get killed, no matter, they got what was coming to them anyway.

A play such as “My Three Angels” depends on a few things: the charm of the convicts, the repugnance of the villain, and the stabilizing force of the other major players—all basically straight men who provide the backdrop for the action. In this production, directed by Sarah Hunnewell, the Hampton Theatre Company team hits all marks with its usual aplomb.

There was not a weak link in the company, but standout scene stealers for this reviewer were Mr. Byrn and Mr. Kassar. Mr. Byrn’s portrayal of Jules was deftly funny and his over-the-top mugging was quite winsome. Mr. Kassar’s approach to the smooth con man Joseph was filled with guile, intelligence and appeal. And though she had a bit part, Diana Marbury, certainly at home on the stage, commanded instant and immediate attention for the brief moments she appeared as Mme. Parole, wringing every bit of character out of her character.

Kudos are also in order for the other major players—Ms. Karpiuk, Mr. Walton and Ms. Maloney, who all did fine jobs—and to the rest of the supporting cast—Mr. Brockbank, who really gave his all playing the cantankerous Henri, Tyler Gardella as the handsome but spineless Paul, or Ben Leasure, who made the most of his very short time on stage as the Lieutenant.

It’s impossible to talk about the Hampton Theatre Company without mentioning the sets, which are always beautifully crafted. Compliments to James Ewing, Diana Marbury, Sebastian Paczynski, and the rest of the crew responsible for the look and feel of “My Three Angels.” And Teresa Lebrun’s costume design was spot on.

Bottom Line: A fun and entertaining show with lots of bright spots in the cast and on the stage.

“My Three Angels” will stage on Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., through Sunday, November 6. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors (except Saturdays) and $10 for students under 21. For additional information or to make reservations, visit the Hampton Theatre Company website at hamptontheatre.org, call OvationTix at (866) 811-4111, or call the Hampton Theatre Company at 653-8955.