Colonial Chorus Players 'The Smell of the Kill' Is Filled with Dramatic Twists and Turns!

Come on over, girls! Let’s get together to put our evil plans into action while our husbands sit in the living room.

The Smell of the Kill is a play written by Michelle Lowe. Three women get together for their monthly traditional dinner while their husbands call out orders from the living room. Sharing dark secrets about their relationships and stories from the past, the women are faced with a dark decision that could change everything for better or for worse.

Colonial Chorus Players did a terrific job with their production of The Smell of the Kill! The instant I walked into their theater I was astounded by the lifelike kitchen set. I studied every crafty detail from the notes written on the whiteboard, the tall island table in the middle of the kitchen, and many other cool props. Once the show began I was mesmerized watching the authentic performances.

Caitlin Beckman (Molly), Emily Grove (Nicky), and Elaine Silberstein (Debra) were entertaining to watch from beginning to end. Each woman has a distinct personality and a different goal they want but can’t have.

I like how they established their rocky relationships. It was very realistic whenever one left the stage and then the two remaining women would have a secret conversation about the other. Not only that but I was very impressed with their comedic timing. I was laughing so many times. Comedy is a hard topic to touch and the actresses nailed it, especially Caitlin Beckman!

Starring as their husbands who watched TV in the other room and shouted orders to their wives, Bryan Deroo (Marty), Blair Howell (Jay), and Colin Lamusta (Danny) were fun to be heard, but not seen. They were given the unique chance to act offstage. They sold their performances acting through voice. I loved whenever one of the women walked into the next room briefly interrupting the men from watching TV. Very realistic!

While at first, that may seem like the easiest role ever where you don’t appear on-stage, it is still important to grasp the character. All three men succeeded in developing a distinctive voice and a character. I got a kick out of the husbands hitting golf balls into the kitchen and the women scrambling about trying to stop them.

Hands down, The Smell of the Kill is also a physical play where the women have to race around the stage, teasing each other or having to bind one of them to a chair! Every part of the stage was used, even placing some delectable treats inside the refrigerator.

Director Morgan Flynn conquered a great comedic balance between the drama. The women worked well together expressing surprise, disgust, and great emotion in a dark dramatic ending where the husbands accidentally lock themselves in the meat locker.

The special effects were very creative. From colorful lighting, spontaneous sound effects, and even having to use an area below the stage which surprised me. Be aware that there is a loud noise that may be startling to some.

Well done to all those on and offstage for creating a fantastic performance. I enjoyed every single moment of the play. The story, especially the end was dark. The message of the play is still an important lesson on living life the way you want. Decisions are decisions.

The Smell of the Kill is playing at Colonial Chorus Players in Reading, Ma October 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 and 13 and 20 at 3:00. You don’t want to miss out on this comedic and dramatic performance. Just be careful that you don’t get locked in the meat locker!