DES MOINES, Iowa – If you’re a fan of murder mysteries, comedy, improvisation, and the piano – look no further. The musical comedy, “Murder for Two,” featured at the Temple Theater on Locust Street in Des Moines this week, brings a mix of it all to a small, intimate stage.
The show stars two actors, who alternate playing piano while the other acts and sings. Kyle Branzel portrays the numerous suspects in a birthday party murder, often quickly donning a hat or a pair of glasses – as well as a voice, facial, and/or posture alteration – to rapidly switch between characters. He says he knew he possessed the skills necessary to pull this role off the first time he ever saw the show.
“I happened to see this show when it was in Chicago, when I was going to school there,” he said. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, someone finally wrote a show for me.’ Like, this is my show.”
The second actor, Ian Lowe, plays a police officer desperate to become a detective, hoping to solve the murder in order to achieve his goals. Lowe says if you happen to see him crack a smile or two throughout the show at his co-lead, it might be due to some improvisation.
“The show is very tightly organized, but there are little bits of wiggle-room for improv from both of us,” he said. “Sometimes I can’t help but laugh at what Kyle’s doing.”
For show time and ticket information on Murder for Two, visit the Des Moines Performing Arts website.