By Elise Pearlman - November 14, 2010

The Minstrel Players' latest theatrical production, Ken Ludwig's murder mystery, "Postmortem," opened at Trinity Episcopal Church this weekend. It is the mission of the tight-knit group of actors and other theatrical professionals to provide world-class entertainment at affordable prices, and they've been doing it in Northport since 2001.

Founding member Debbie Palen, who co-directed the production with husband, Ray, said that the Minstrel Players traditionally does murder mysteries in the fall.

Two of my favorite shows of all time are Ludwig's masterpiece of comedic timing, "Lend Me a Tenor" and the romantic comedy, "Crazy For You." Postmortem, which is set in 1922, is an intriguing departure which blends comedy and romance, while giving theater-goers entrée into Ludwig's talent for suspense and the darker side.

Ludwig has aptly chosen the term 'postmortem,' which refers to an examination of a body after death, as the title for his play. His main character, William Gillette, is loosely based on a real theatrical legend of the same name who made a career of portraying Sherlock Holmes.

In Postmortem, Ludwig's Gillette, who is both an actor and a playwright, has invited his cast to his mock medieval castle overlooking the Connecticut River for the weekend.

While the purpose behind the gathering is vague, the guests are uncomfortably aware that one year ago a member of their troupe, the hauntingly lovely Maude, was found dead of a single gunshot wound to her forehead in the castle's courtyard. Was it a suicide, as it first appeared or was she murdered?

Convinced it was the latter, Gillette has decided to use some of Holmes' sleuthing techniques to smoke out his lover's killer, unaware that he may be putting his own life at risk in the process.

During the course of the weekend, tensions mount and petty jalousies surface, and you'll marvel at how the very capable cast handles the plot's twists and turns.

Ray Palen does remarkable double duty as the co-director, and as Gillette, the leading man. Palen attended Manhattan's American Academy of Dramatic Arts where he studied with the Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Jones. He portrays the man on a mission to uncover a murderer with remarkable authenticity.

Lara Hunter, whom many may remember from her role as Blanche DuBois in the Bare Bones Theater Company's production of "A Streetcar Named Desire," plays the mysterious Louise Parradine.

Louise, who suffered a nervous breakdown after her best friend's untimely death, is now a medium and has been requested to conduct a séance by Gillette.

The séance, complete with spooky, special effects, is indeed unnerving, and as Gillette has hoped, some unsettling clues are unveiled.

The Minstrel Players' artistic director Tara Palen, who has both directed and appeared in many of the group's productions, plays May Dison, the raven-haired beauty who harbors suspicions and a dark secret.

Carl Nehring provides some much needed comedic relief as the romantically clumsy Bobby Carlyle. Evan Donnellan is equally good as the debonair Leo Barrett whom his wife, Marion, fears has a wandering eye. Patricia Servidio is excellent as the outspoken and suspicious wife.

Karen Ottomano, who has been part of the Minstrel Players since its inception, portrays Gillette's doting aunt, Lilly Warner, with grace and finesse.

One of the key themes running through Postmortem is that things are seldom what they seem, and Jocko Malacchi masquerades in what can be described as one of the show's earliest surprises.

Kudos go to Ray and Debbie Palen and Rob Cashman for the set design. Rust colored walls, dark woods, and decorative accoutrements convey the richness of a medieval-style castle while a chandelier and the placement of wainscoting succeed in suggesting high ceilings and an expanse of space.

There'll be 3 pm matinees on Sunday, Nov. 14 and 21, and a Saturday night performance at 8 pm on Nov. 20. For ticket information or to become a minstrel, call (631) 732-2926 or visit minstrelplayers.org.