Plot Is Full of Twists and Turns

Review by Tom Oosterhoudt

“Home Exchange” takes the audience on a magical mystery tour delving deep into the mental abyss of psychological pathos, questioning whether Della, played convincingly by Nicole Nuremberg, is plunging into a paranoid frenzy, or is she really on to something?

In the meantime, Randy captured by Michael Aaglan, takes the audience in as “Della’s” older brother. Initially convincing as the sane sibling, he morphs into a treacherous and desperate homicidal maniac right before one’s eyes. Just as the play makes everyone wonder who is really the biggest whack job, one has to compare the twisted brother/sister to the likewise somewhat bonkers housekeeper played by Joan O’Dowd.

Joan manages to invoke some heartfelt laughter with her eccentric view of everything that comes her way. Finally, one of  my favorite local actors, Brandon Beach, nailed the role of the sinister next door neighbor, who plausibly fits the part of Della’s conjured killer.

This psychodrama could not be more entertaining and grabs your attention from the outset with its quirks and quacks. This superb mystery by mystery writer Hy Conrad is not just a “whodunit” but allows us to wonder, who could have done it, who might of done it, and who probably did it. The end of the show leaves us hanging wondering if the two crazed siblings dared to take that vacation to a volcano. While all of this show’s stars shine in their charismatic roles, the show itself is nothing short of brilliant.

Conch Color applauds Hy Conrad for allowing his newest creation to premiere in Key West. If you like fascinating first class entertainment, run-don’t walk-to the Waterfront Playhouse to catch this amazing world premiere. There’s not a dull minute, I promise you!