PORT ANGELES — With a motley cast of community members, the Port Angeles Library’s first murder-mystery play turned into one black comedy.
“FRAMED at the Art Blast,” Friday night’s whodunit performed in the library’s “living room,” started with a concert by Sarah Shea and her band, Chez Jazz. Beside Shea appeared “Starr Rising,” a guest vocalist who looked suspiciously like Bunny Cornwall, owner of Olympic Day Spa in Port Angeles.
Starr/Cornwall made her singing debut — and was given a bouquet of deep-red roses, while Shea received a mere sprig of what looked like fake blossoms.
Not long after her set, though, Starr became the night’s murder victim. Was it Otto Phocus (Phil Lusk), Starr’s jealous husband? Could her sister, Corky Beaujolais (Lindy McLaine), also jealous, have done it?
Turns out it was pizza delivery boy Matt Zarella (Ean Henninger), whose pizza box had no pie inside.
It had a painting by his mother, the snobbish artist Dolores Colores (Robin Anderson). The odd work of art, via a convoluted story, motivated him to commit the awful crime.
All of this was part of the Art Blast, a free party that happens quarterly at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St. The mystery play coincided with the opening of a new art show: Works by Peggy Wesley, Scott Erickson, Randolph Foster, Sky Heatherton and Jeff Becker are on display at the library through Oct. 9.
Many other free activities are scheduled this summer at libraries in Clallam County. For information, see the North Olympic Library System website at www.NOLS.org or phone 360-417-8500.
Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
