Review: ALL STAR DETECTIVES at 2017 Fringe Festival

Some mysteries are better unseen and unresolved. Such is the case with All Star Detectives; a presentation of DamianBlue.net at the 2017 Kansas City Fringe Festival performing at the Musical Theater Heritage Stage 2. Featuring an experienced cast of actors and comedians, this new play written and directed by Jason Eisberg is still in the development stage.

The All Star of our detectives in this case is the venerable Dick Tracy character who was introduced in the old Detroit Mirror newspaper in 1931. Dick had the most lantern of jaws, and the most modern of gadgets. The most famous of which was his iconic wrist radio. Dick Tracy was always beyond corruptibility.

Daddy Pop (Joe Caronia) is your typical mobbed-up guy who is just getting out of the joint. He has arranged to take over a nightclub/strip kind of club. Sons of the club owners Johnny (Colin Kinnick) and Ryan (Mathew Koehler) are put upon by Daddy Pop to acquire the keys to their parents film noir style castle. The parents are no longer among the living. Ryan has been bought off and turns on his brother.

Detective Harry (Michael Foster) is a former partner of Dick Tracy along with his partner new officer Tommy (D'Andre McKenzie). He dreams of becoming an eventual Tracy partner.

District Attorney Warren (Jeff Vaughn) is concerned that Daddy Pop has been released. He pursues Daddy and eventually is killed for his efforts. Meantime singer Patricia (Maggie Mulligan) has auditioned for Daddy in the club. A male singer is rejected. Eventually, Dick Tracy appears and saves the day. Daddy is cuffed and goes back to jail.

All Star Detectives is energetic. It could stand a little clearer plot and a few more props along with a more directed action. The show has completed its run at the 2017 Fringe Festival from the Damian Blue Company.