'Murder, Mystery & Intrigue' in Alhambra

The Lizard Theatre has launched the fifth installment in their very popular short mystery play series. Although touted as "tales of the macabre," you could add the word, "comedy" for at least two of the four 15-minute plays. Think melodrama and tongue-in-cheek humor.

In actor and playwright Jay Parker´s "Nigel Winterbottom´s Black Sleep" (chapter two in his Harrowing Adventures), Nigel has been poisoned aboard ship, and it´s up to his explorer grandfather, a young friend and a beautiful doctor to find the killer and administer the antidote before it´s too late. Look out for a surprise visitor in this one. Guaranteed, you will jump in your seats! Jay Parker, Cameron Parker, Ashley Patterson and Ruben Aguilar perform.

Mystery author Gay Toltl Kinman´s "Revenge," tells of a cool and calculating young author who delivers ´just desserts´ to the critic and reviewer who "trashed" her earlier works. Another twist ending drives the point home for the poor fella. Matthew Dorio, Ashley Patterson and Renee Jeffers make up the threesome.

In Cameron Parker´s "Youth Group," teenage angst and hormones couple with fear and farce when two deadly, but comical intruders interrupt a Bible Study/Sleep Over. "Whatever!" Cameron Parker, Maia Villa, Jay Parker and Ruben Aguilar entertain hugely, with a walk on by Ashley Patterson.

In "Mountain Writer," playwright and physician James Golden writes about a lone writer in an isolated cabin on a "dark and stormy night." Spooked by strange noises, but reassured by a distant neighbor via walkie-talkie, he nevertheless experiences "the last chapter." Perfect timing at the end makes this one a real blast!

A recent renovation makes this tiny theater seem more roomy without losing the intimacy of being "right in the action" that faithful audiences love.

"Murder, Mystery & Intrigue" runs Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 pm through May 17, so hurry and reserve your place. Call (626) 371-0014

Suggested donation is $10 per person.

The Lizard Theater is located at 230 W. Main Street in Alhambra, 91801 in a marketplace center with many options for before-the-show dining. Parking and entrance is behind the theatre.