Femme Fatale, Private Eye Comically Immerse in Noir Musical “Gunmetal Blues”

Step into the Red Eye Lounge, where the air is thicker than the plot and the smoke swirls like rumors. Gunmetal Blues, the musical adaptation that's got more twists than a cat in a yarn factory, takes center stage at the Key City Public Theatre in Port Townsend, WA. But hold on to your fedoras, folks, because this ain't your grandma's noir—it's got a side of slapstick and a generous dollop of charm.

Your host for the evening is the irrepressible Buddy Toupee played by Mark Rabe, a man of many hats—literally. From the dapper to the dim-witted, Rabe's transformations are so seamless, you'll swear he's got more costume changes than a diva at the Oscars. And his comedic timing? It's so spot-on, it's like he's got a secret stash of punchlines hidden up his sleeve.

Center stage stands the incomparable Christa Holbrook, whose vocals pack a punch with brass-knuckled sass sharp enough to slice through steel. She's the femme fatale you'll want to follow straight into the heart of danger. The program lists Holbrook as The Blonde, which proves to be a medley of what it means to be a woman. And of course that means she has as many faces as she has ways to wear her hair. The play is brimming with humor, but when Holbrook belts out “Loose Change” in the first act, the mood shifts dramatically and that moment of ache remains lodged firmly in the heart of the audience even as the knee slaps return.

Courtesy of Key City Public Theater

Opposite Holbrook is Geoffery Simmons as The Private Eye, a man with a voice as smooth as bourbon and a demeanor as grizzled as your shoe after the dog’s done with it. With acting chops that could stop a clock and a heart, Simmons brings a sense of world-weariness to the role that's as endearing as it is entertaining. And when he sings the title piece in Act II, he proves he can come pretty darn close to keeping up with Holbrook’s vocal virtuosity.

Together, this trio of talent lights up the stage like a neon sign in a blackout, filling the room with laughter, suspense, and innuendo. But it's not just the performances that snag you—it's the staging, too. With shadow play casting sultry silhouettes, smoke effects that'll have you reaching for your inhaler, and a spinning piano platform to top it off, the production pulls out all the stops to create a world that's as immersive as it is absurd.

In the world of Gunmetal Blues, anything can happen (and usually does). So buckle up, buttercup, and get ready for a ride that's as wild as it is wacky, because with a cast like this, the only thing you can expect is the unexpected.

Courtesy of Key City Public Theater

As the curtain rises on this noir extravaganza, the stage comes alive with the pulsating energy of the Jazz Age. The Red Eye Lounge emerges from the shadows, an airport bar that serves as a haven for the lost, the lovelorn, and the lovably ludicrous. Its neon glow casts a hypnotic spell over the audience, drawing them deeper into the heart of the story.

And what a story it is! Set against the backdrop of a city shrouded in darkness, Gunmetal Blues weaves a tale of love, betrayal, and the search for memories lost. Which brings us to The Private Eye, a man who likes his booze as much as his cigarettes—too much. With his trusty fedora and a flask of bourbon never far from reach, he navigates the seedy underbelly of the city. Along the way, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, each more eccentric than the last.

From the bumbling sidekick to the sultry lounge singer, the denizens of The Red Eye Lounge come to life with a vitality that is both captivating and comical. Their interactions crackle with wit and humor, drawing laughter from the audience and surprising moments of vulnerability that stab at the heart.

But amidst the laughter and the music, there lurks a darkness; there’s a shadowy confusion the audience can see through that somehow our stalwart detective cannot. As the plot thickens and the tension mounts, the audience is drawn deeper despite seeming to know the solution to the mystery, yet eagerly awaiting the final reveal which no one could see coming.

As the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, the truth is finally laid bare, sending shockwaves through the theater and leaving the audience in traction from the whiplash. It's a moment of theatrical magic, a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring allure of the stage.

So come one, come all, to the Red Eye Lounge, where the drinks are strong, the music is hot, and the mysteries are a-plenty. With its stellar cast, inventive staging, and razor-sharp wit, Gunmetal Blues is a theatrical experience like no other—a journey into the heart of noir that will leave you laughing, crying, and begging for an encore.

Show closes April 28, 2024.