Take three embittered wives, add three controlling husbands and chill. This recipe for mystery and revenge are the ingredients for Women In Theatre’s next production, “The Smell of the Kill,” a dark comedy by Michele Lowe and directed by Romey Curtis.
When the husbands of three unhappy housewives mistakenly lock themselves into a walk-in meat locker, the wives search frantically for the key that will liberate them.
But as each woman’s story unfolds, the audience learns of certain misdemeanors that make the three rascals candidates for some evil-doing.
Curtis admits that were the roles reversed and the women the ones imprisoned, it wouldn’t be so funny.
“But we’re WIT,” she said. “And we are known for being a little edgy.”
The three-woman show presents seasoned actresses Debbie Viguie, Laurie Aguayo and debuting on stage for the first time, Susan LeHoven. This 75 minute one-act play is described by Curtis as filled with “action, one liners and a twisted absurdity which takes the chill off the subject matter.”
Curtis is one of the founding members of WIT. She and Aguayo were on stage together for the first WIT production. This will be Curtis’ fifth time directing a WIT production.
“The best part of directing is seeing your vision of (the play) on stage,” she said. “With acting, the worry load is a lot less though. To lose yourself in a role — that’s your reality and the rest of the world is make believe,” she said.
Curtis went on to describe the magical moment when all parts align — where the actor, the audience and the person playing opposite all come into sync.
“To be touched by the muse, it does happen,” she said. “The thing is you don’t know how you did it and that’s why you have to learn technique so that you give that good performance even if the muse doesn’t descend.”
For the weekends of July 25 and Aug. 3, “The Smell of the Kill” will take the stage at Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center.
“The Smell of the Kill” by Michele Lowe opened on Broadway to rave reviews at the Helen Hayes Theatre in March 2002.
Shows are at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays the weekends of July 25 and Aug. 1.
Ticket venues are: Kmart, Ola’s Hanalei; Magic Dragon; North Shore Pharmacy, Bounty Music, Vicky’s Fabrics, Grande’s Gems, Kalaheo Coffee and Banana Patch Studio.
For more information call Romey Curtis at 826-9755.
