Last Friday Evening, before the opening performance of "Murder Is a Game," a proud member of the Monmouth Players demonstrated the theater's recently installed automated skylight shutters. They worked smoothly, and the thirty audience members applauded. Two hours later, at the conclusion of the play, we applauded again. Both of the evening's presentations, on the ceiling and on the stage, had gone off without a hitch.

	Ally Collado, Colts Neck (left) and Ar Loeck, Belford, discuss the mysterious happenings in Monmouth Players' "Murder Is a Game," while Rebecca Flynn, Red Bank, remains blissfully unaware.

Monmouth Players are justifiably proud of their renovated quarters. Located in the back of the Navesink Library, they boast a refinished stage, new chairs and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. The room is more a theater than an auditorium now; there's even a direct entrance from outside. (I did miss strolling in through the charming library, though.)

It would be unfair to the players and the potential audience to give away the plot of "Murder Is a Game." The mystery-comedy isn't great stage literature, far from it; but the mystery portion does work. And the darn thing is funny too, especially its second act. Directors Paul and Lori Renick and a cast of local actors obviously enjoy the material, and it shows. Playwright Fred Carmichael, who wrote the Monmouth Players a "break a leg" letter, would be pleased with this production of his play.

It's about a couple, writers of mystery novels, who are spending their anniversary at an Inn, which is actually the abandoned set of a completed horror movie. They've got writers' block, and their publisher wants to help them get back to work. There's a sliding panel in one wall, revealed at the start, and a group of visitors to the Inn who might or might not be who they say they are. Or might or might not be who they say they aren't. That's all you'll get from me.

As the literary pair, Patrick Smith and Bridget Fargo are as smooth as Nick and Nora Charles. Mr. Smith and Ms. Fargo are at east with each other, an essential element of the play. They handle the exposition naturally, and it flows with obvious affection and good humor. Gloria Skeele plays their publisher with proper professional demeanor, and Ally Collado, as a skittish young woman, is amusing, despite her omnipresent sour expression. William Rogers is a dese-and-dose tough guy with an eye for the skirts; and John Kettyle and Ar Loecke are fine as an older couple with sordid secrets, once they drop their grating fake accents.

It is no longer seemly to tell 'dumb blonde' jokes, but there is a terrific one in this "Murder Is a Game," and her name is Rebecca Flynn. Audacious and sexy in a bright red dress and named BB Mink (what else?), she is the quintessential ditz. The funniest lines are BB's, and in Ms. Flynn's deft delivery, all of them work. Looking longingly at a cocktail glass, she murmurs, just audibly, "Please don't let it be diet anything." Later she points out that Sigourney Weaver starred in "Gorillas in the Mist" because Dian Fossey wasn't the right type. Ms. Flynn's timing is perfect; it's a delightful performance.

Besides directing the play, Paul and Lori Renick are credited with the set design and decoration (excellent), costumes (well suited), sound (every cue on time) and, along with David Spangler, lighting (just right - adds to the mystery). So, congratulations to the Renicks and to Monmouth Players - and to whoever cast Rebecca Flynn as BB Mink.