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Cedar City • At the end of Utah Shakespeare Festival's rollicking and riotous production of "Murder for Two," its two actors/pianists sing a duet: "Nothing compares with being a pair; that's the only partnership you need."

They are referring to the bonding of two characters in the show, Steph and Marcus the detective, to solve the crime, but they might as well be talking about themselves. What really makes this show so entertaining is the teamwork linking its two wildly talented performers, Paul Helm and John Wescavage. Their combination of abilities — musicians, actors, comedians — is so unique that they have no understudies.

"Murder for Two" is a quirky combination to begin with, a fusion of a murder mystery and cabaret-style musical comedy. Arthur Whitney, a "great American novelist," has been murdered, and policeman Marcus hopes to solve the crime and be promoted to detective. Helm plays Marcus; Wescavage plays the numerous suspects; they both play the piano.

To avoid confusion, Wescavage gives each suspect a different voice and defining characteristic: Whitney's widow, Dahlia, wears glasses, limps and is more obsessed with discovering who stole the ice cream than who killed her husband; her niece, Steph, who is getting her master's degree in criminology and eager to help Marcus, pushes her hair behind her ears; Barrette Lewis is a dancer and continually pirouettes across the room; and Murray and Barb, the bickering neighbors, appropriately wave either a cigar butt or a cigarette. Then there are Dr. Griff, the friendly family psychiatrist, who tap dances, and Yonkers, a young choirboy who keeps quoting Lauren Bacall's memorable line from "To Have and Have Not" — "You know how to whistle, don't you?" He wears a baseball cap, and Wescavage plays him on his knees.

Marcus has a silent partner, Lou, and a sexy, mysterious woman from his past, Vanessa, whom Helm portrays in a flashback. And if you sit in the first row, you may be recruited to fill in briefly when Helm and Wescavage realize they need help.

Brad Carroll's madcap direction and bits of comic business — the actors hum the theme from "The Phantom of the Opera" when they raise the chandelier — keep everything moving at a fast and furious pace, and creators Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair provide a bunch of snappy show tunes with outrageous rhymes like "Mamma Mia" and "diarrhea."

Jason Lajka's eclectic, garage-sale set and William Kirkham's brassy lighting with its revolving spotlights and footlights along the sides of the stage give the show an improvised cabaret feel. The two blue doors at the end allow Wescavage to make quick character changes.

"Murder for Two" is clever, fast-moving and entertaining, but what energizes and elevates it is Helm and Wescavage's virtuoso piano playing, which is both competitive and complementary. This partnership is one that really pays off. —

'Murder for Two'

The seamless teamwork of Paul Helm and John Wescavage makes this Utah Shakespeare Festival production a highly entertaining show.

When • Reviewed Aug. 7; plays in rotating repertory with "Julius Caesar" Mondays through Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. through Oct.22.

Where • Anes Studio Theatre at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, 299 W. Center St., Cedar City

Tickets • $46 to $50 with discounts for groups, students and seniors; (800) PLAYTIX (752-9849) or bard.org

Running time • An hour and 45 minutes (no intermission)