Review: MRS. CHRISTIE at Milwaukee Repertory Theater

Playwright Heidi Armbruster brings heart and humor of real-life mystery of “Mrs. Christie.”

Agatha Christie created more than 80 mysteries over her legendary career, but only one didn’t come with a solution. It’s the one she created when she disappeared for 11 days in 1926. Christie never explained her disappearance, but plenty of other writers have given it a try. The latest is playwright Heidi Armbruster, with her comedy “Mrs. Christie.”

“Mrs.Christie” is more than a speculation on the real-life Christie mystery. It is also a story of two women at crossroads in their lives. One woman is, of course, Agatha Christie, the other is diehard Christie fan Lucy. Their stories take place 100 years apart, but the timelines and the women eventually cross.

Helping them on their journeys in one or both timelines are characters that Christie fans may find familiar. In fact, there are a number of Easter eggs strewn about for Christie fans to find.

Alex Keiper as Agatha and Zoe Sophia Garcia as Lucy give the story is heart, soul and sass – and are particularly fun when they meet. Most of the other actors do double duty, playing multiple characters and appearing in both timelines. It is to their credit that their roles are never confused or confusing – kudos also go to Armbruster’s storytelling and Joanie Schultz’s direction.

William Sturdivant as “Monsieur” and Dale Hodges as “Jane” are priceless as thinly veiled version of Christie’s famous creations.

It is not necessary to be a Christie-phile to enjoy “Mrs. Christie,” but for those who are – This is not a play to be missed.

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