The set of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s production of “Murder for Two” puts in you in the middle of Arthur Whitney’s living room at his surprise birthday party. A piano, coffee table, chair, bookcase, revolving door, and the fact that you know only two men are performing, gives you the sense that this will be an open and shut case. Well, you are in for a treat and a ton of voices that test your intellect.

A total of ten suspects are portrayed by the one and only Eric Shorey. You will stay at the edge of your seat with him. He doesn’t change clothes or add props to identify with the suspects. He simply changes his voice, posture and the tone of the music. It is definitely a mesmerizing sight to see, but you must pay attention. Detective Marcus Moscowicz, played by Eric Van Tielen, must keep up with the different suspects as well. There are complications — including the fact that he is not really a detective, but an ambitious officer, looking to be promoted.

As the guests arrive at Arthur Whitney’s home, you wonder if all are happy to see him and how they all intertwine. The connections are composed once Arthur Whitney is shot, right there in his own home. It starts to get interesting as Detective — no, Officer Marcus begins having people reenact their positions prior to the murder. Soon, you find out that Arthur Whitney is an author who wrote successful novels that held secrets about each of his guests, giving them all a reason to want him dead.

Here is where it gets interesting — and has you mentally taking your own notes. Or at least I was. Dahlia Whitney is a woman who wanted the spotlight. She enjoyed performing original pieces of music that evening and was more concerned about the theft of ice cream than the death of her husband. She believes he had it coming, and makes jokes as if she is the one that pulled the trigger.

Murray and Barb are an old couple who enjoy a good argument. You couldn’t possibly imagine why they would be suspects. Barrette Lewis is a ballerina with a seductive rond de jambe that catches Officer Marcus’ eye. Could she have been a tease to Arthur Whitney? Or, better yet, his wife? Honestly, she was in my top three of who pulled the trigger. The answer shocked me!

Then there is Steph Whitney, Arthur Whitney’s niece who is studying criminology and constantly takes the crime scene into her own hands throughout the evening. Dr. Griff is the psychiatrist who knows no boundaries. He was my favorite character. Being the daughter of a therapist, I know how the “behind closed doors” counseling is supposed to go. Well, Dr. Griff not only tells a few secrets, but is a little loopy and seems he might need some counseling of his own. He even sings a song about how him and a certain patient are best friends. Um… pretty sure you are not supposed to be friends with your patients.

All of a sudden, kids show up! Who knew there was a tiny three-man choir hiding in the corner not phased at all by a murder. Oh, and halfway through the evening, a fire fighter waltzes in from the bathroom, missing the entire murder and the interrogation of suspects. One of my favorite parts about this musical is the inclusion of the audience. Toward the end, the actors realize that the two of them just can’t do it by themselves anymore, and pick audience member to act out a scene. Depending on how outgoing the audience member is, you are in for a dramatic treat!

So, who committed this murder? I’m not going to tell you, and you are never going to guess. What fun would that be? Allow these two theatrical men to let their fingers run up and down the keys of the piano as they tell you a comical mystery of whodunit and why. You will learn whether to trust your gut, or trust your heart. What I will tell you is that this perfectly lovely and awful surprise party is one you will never forget.

Marissa Staples is a Cincinnati published author and writer for “The Voice of Black Cincinnati.” She developed her love of arts from her mother, Kandi. Being a native of Cincinnati, she loves to travel. If she is not traveling, you can find her reading, writing, volunteering or drinking wine. Wine always brings smiles, friends and creative dialogue.