By Afshin Razi
A Fast-Paced, Zany Musical Caper
With a witty book and music by Joe Kinosian and clever book and lyrics by Kellen Blair, Murder for Two hits The Carnegie stage with nonstop momentum. Under Joe Deer’s sharp, spirited direction, the audience is swept into an absurd investigation where every moment explodes with energy. The premise is simple but brilliant: two multi-talented performers handle every role—both detective and suspects—while pounding away at an onstage piano. That alone gives the show a unique flavor: it’s part musical, part madcap farce. The audience quickly learns that anything can happen in this play, and it does. The laughs start early and never let up; by the end of 90 minutes, everyone is wiping tears of laughter from their eyes.
Masterful Chemistry and Lightning-Fast Character Shifts
The real star of the show is the dynamic chemistry between the two leads. Mark Schenfisch anchors the mystery as Marcus, the eager young policeman determined to solve the murder and prove himself as a detective. Playing opposite him, Curtis Reynolds undergoes a tour-de-force transformation as “The Suspects,” shifting at lightning speed into every eccentric guest at the party. Watching them swap roles, voices, and accents is pure delight.
Aided by Cat Schmeal-Swope’s clever costume touches, the performers use the tiniest wardrobe pieces to instantly embody a completely new persona. These transitions are executed flawlessly, making each character jump feel like magic rather than a break in the scene. Schenfisch and Reynolds bounce off each other beautifully, they are clearly having a blast on stage, and that joy is contagious. Whenever one cracks a joke or pantomimes a comedic bit, the other reacts in perfect sync, keeping the pace frenetic and hilarious.
Pianistic Pyrotechnics and Musical Delights
Musically, under the expert music direction of Steve Goers, the show is a absolute treat. Every song is a playful twist on familiar styles—from a Broadway-style patter number about police “protocol” to a sentimental ballad that instantly turns absurd. Both Schenfisch and Reynolds prove themselves exceptional vocalists and keyboard virtuosos. They seamlessly switch from speaking to singing to playing four-handed duets, often within the exact same scene. A standout highlight is a riotous piano duet where both actors share the bench, pounding out a ridiculously fast tune with split-second comic timing. You truly feel like they are both the band and the entire cast, and the music amplifies every joke.
Less is More With Technical and Scenic Design
Behind the scenes, the design team deserves immense applause for matching the show’s playfulness with simple but clever touches. Scenic Designer Tyler Gabbard crafts a deceptively minimalist set—just a piano and a couple of doors—yet it works perfectly for the show. Doug Stock’s lighting design utilizes colorful spotlights and dramatic shadow play to punctuate the comedy. Dani Lobello’s sound design sneaks in funny audio cues that help sell every punchline.
Interactive Mayhem and Fourth-Wall Fun
Of course, the fun doesn’t stop at the edge of the stage. The show pulls the audience directly into the mayhem. At one point, an unsuspecting theatergoer is gently brought on stage to participate in a scene, adding to the delightful silliness of it all. Moments like that highlight how interactive and playful the whole production is. Throughout the show, Schenfisch and Reynolds break the fourth wall several times without breaking character, winking at the crowd and making the audience feel like co-conspirators in the joke.
Final Verdict
In short, Murder for Two at The Carnegie is a total blast from beginning to end. It’s the kind of show where you can fully suspend disbelief and revel in the sheer inventiveness on stage. All the elements—Joe Deer’s sharp staging, crisp pacing, dynamic technical design, and vibrant performances from Schenfisch and Reynolds—come together into an experience that’s thrilling and riotously funny. If you’re looking for an evening of pure entertainment and a chance to laugh until it hurts, this is exactly it. Don’t miss it!
Tickets to Murder for Two at The Carnegie
Murder for Two is making a killing at The Carnegie July 22 through July 26, 2026. Grab your tickets and check showtimes by calling 859-957-1940 or visiting https://thecarnegie.com/
Running time: Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
