Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair's Murder for Two Is a
Comedy Smash at the Temple Theatre of Sanford

Murder for Two stars JP Coletta (right) as Detective (or Not) Marcus Moscowicz and Gavan Pamer as Everyone Else

Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair's Murder for Two is a comedy smash at the Temple Theatre of Sanford. It is worth the trip for the most fun theater experience that you'll have this year.

Murder for Two is a hilarious musical mystery farce, performed in a breezy 98 minutes, with no intermission. The show is performed in a single living-room set, with a grand piano to one side. Murder for Two stars JP Coletta as Detective (or Not) Marcus Moscowicz and Temple Theatre associate artistic director and director of education Gavan Pamer as, well, everyone else.

Both of the actors are accomplished pianists as well as singers, and both play the piano individually and together during much of the show. This is all done while in character, and Pamer plays a dozen characters throughout the show. Each character has a different voice and different mannerisms, and Pamer somehow keeps them all distinct, even while performing changing parts in rapid-fire fashion.

The setup is a murder mystery in a house with a dozen guests (all Pamer), leaving Moscowicz (Coletta) to try and piece together the clues. None of this is terribly important as the songs (with great and silly lyrics), dialogue, and piano work carry the entertainment. The show is deftly directed and choreographed by Temple Theatre producing artistic director Peggy Taphorn.

Gavan Pamer is a regular at Temple Theatre as an actor, director, choreographer, and musical director. JP Coletta is a former student of Pamer, and their close relationship shows in their seamless performances. Coletta's lanky frame and expressive hand movements reminded me of a young Jimmy Stewart.

Murder for Two stars JP Coletta (left) as Detective (or Not) Marcus Moscowicz and Gavan Pamer as Everyone Else

This show was simply a blast from beginning to end, and the audience responded with raucous laughter throughout. Sadly, there were plenty of empty seats. This was my second show at this venue, and I must implore you to consider the extra few minutes to make the trip.

First of all, the theater is absolutely beautiful; and the staff is amazing. The Temple Theatre is less than an hour ride from anywhere in the Triangle. It's 35 minutes from Cary, 45 from Raleigh or Chapel Hill, and 50 or so from Durham. You will not be sorry. And even better -- the tickets are just $29! So, you can afford to bring the kids. I probably would recommend this show for children age 10 and up, and I guarantee that they will not be bored and might even learn to love the theater.

The crew at Temple Temple run a tight ship and the lighting (Michael Winkelman), scenery (Ryan Carchidi), sound (Patrick Holt), and costumes (Peggy Taphorn) are all solid. An added treat is a performance for a half-hour before the show by the Temple Teen Ensemble, who did several numbers from upcoming shows.

I give Murder for Two my highest recommendation.

Murder for Two stars JP Coletta (left) as Detective (or Not) Marcus Moscowicz and Gavan Pamer as Everyone Else

Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair's MURDER FOR TWO (In Person at 2 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, 16, 20-23, and 27-30), directed and choreographed by Peggy Taphorn and starring JP Coletta as Detective (or Not) Marcus Moscowicz and Gavan Pamer as Everyone Else (Temple Theatre of Sanford). TRAILERS: https://www.facebook.com/TempleTheatreNC/videos. 2022-23 MAIN-STAGE SEASON: http://templeshows.com/#mainstage. THE PRESENTER/VENUE: http://templeshows.com/, https://www.facebook.com/TempleTheatreNC, https://www.instagram.com/TempleTheatreNC/, https://twitter.com/TempleTheatreNC/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Theatre_(Sanford,_North_Carolina), and https://www.youtube.com/user/templetheatrenc. DIRECTIONS: http://templeshows.com/contact. COVID-19 GUIDELINES: http://templeshows.com/tickets/temple-theatre-covid-guidelines. THE MUSICAL: http://murderfortwomusical.com/, https://www.joekinosian.com/murderfortwo, https://www.kellenblair.com/theatre, http://www.iobdb.com/Production/5648, https://www.facebook.com/MForTwoMusical, http://instagram.com/murderfor2/, https://twitter.com/MurderFor2, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_for_Two, and http://www.youtube.com/MurderForTwoMusical. NOTE: All shows are wheelchair accessible, and there is a hearing-loop system is available for all devices with T-coil wireless receivers. TICKETS: $29 ($17 students and $27 active-duty military personnel and Lee County educators), plus taxes and fees, except $27 per person for groups of 10 or more. Click here to buy tickets. GROUP RATES (10+ tickets): http://templeshows.com/tickets#id-928. INFORMATION: 919-774-4155 or boxoffice@templeshows.org. PLEASE DONATE TO: Temple Theatre of Sanford.

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