Theater Review – August 29, 2026

“MURDER FOR TWO” IS A ZANY WHODUNIT

“Murder for Two”

The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hormel Theatre
Phoenix, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

“Murder for Two,” The Phoenix Theatre Company’s (TPTC) latest attraction, is a musical theater murder mystery.  Few thrillers are musicals, but the show has all the expected malarkey a whodunit should contain plus a splash of songs that add to the daunting mayhem all highlighted by two gifted comedians.  One performer plays the detective trying to solve the crime and a bunch of potential suspects are handled by the other actor who uses costumes, accents, eye spectacles, and other shenanigans to differentiate between the ten possible murderers.

In the hands of TPTC’s expert director Rod Kaats and performed brilliantly by Jason M. Hammond as the detective and Jackson Evans as the suspects, the musical couldn’t be better staged.  Add Douglas Clarke’s revealing set and Martha J(sic) Clarke’s defining costumes, and “Murder for Two” proves a delightful summer romp.

TPTC is also presenting a superb production of the lavish spectacle “Les Misérables” in an adjoining theater so you can’t go wrong with either show.  It depends on what pleases you – a big, brilliantly produced musical or a small but zany whodunit.

“Murder for Two” is often wacky and silly.  You will anticipate many of the jabs and jives, but the enjoyable lark sparks raucous laughter plus joyful merriment.  It is full of delicious gay sensibilities, but nothing is offensive or demeaning.

The superb production never slows down for a moment as the humor rolls cleverly from the Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair script and tunes.  Kaats’ staging squeezes every bit of humor out of the show and the physical production further enhances “Murder for Two’s” comic pleasures.  Don’t expect a plot summary here or a revelation of who does the deed so as not to spoil the jazzy and amusing affair.

Evans is a treasured comedian who relishes and cleverly uses every bit of humor the show provides as he effectively distinguishes between the multiple suspects.  His often hammy but delightful performance couldn’t be comically richer.  Hammond’s part is less showy, but he still causes absurd hilarity.

While “Murder for Two” is no “Les Misérables,” they are two entirely different experiences.  You can’t go wrong with either one.  TPTC’s “Murder for Two” is a marvelously adept comic delight while “Les Misérables” is a stunning production that brings the massive musical to throbbing life.  “Murder for Two” continues through September 20.  “Les Misérables” is extended to October 18.  To order tickets to either show, call The Phoenix Theatre Company’s box office at 602-254-2151 or order tickets online at www.phoenixtheatre.com.

Grade: A

TPTC has cancelled the May world premiere of “Stage Mother” and replaced it with “In the Heights” because the show’s creative team has too many other projects.