^{Mark Fishback and Todd Buonopane
Photo: Michael & Suz Karchmer / Michael P. Kerouac}

Review by Lee Roscoe

The world premier musical, Southern Harmony: A Murder Ballad, based on a true story with book, music, and lyrics by Kevin Fogarty, at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT), poses provocative questions about good and evil. 

It’s small-town Carthage, Texas. Mortician Bernie Tiede (Todd Buonopane) loves to make corpses look their best for their last interaction with loved ones, as he sings about being a “people person.” He also loves directing his friends in community theater. A nebbish of a guy, he befriends what seems to be the town’s wealthiest woman, Marjorie Nugent (Emmanuelle Zeesman), a Scrooge who controls some funding in the town and thinks that those who are friendly are really hypocrites who want something from you and will stab you in the back (and sings a clever song to that effect). In spite of her rancidly bitter personality, Bernie ends up working for her, traveling the world with her, and even, when she turns her nastiness on him—out of what may be kindness or self-interest, or both, remains in her thrall unable to break away from her. He is trapped by what appears to be a kind of surrogate, domineering mother/passive son relationship. The musical is framed by the investigation by D.A. Danny “Buck” Davidson (Ralph Prentice Daniel) and Sheriff Greg Tate (Mark Fishback) of the murder of Mrs. Nugent, with Bernie the prime suspect. 

The first act of the play is carried out in a series of flashbacks accompanied by songs. At first, the music is hoe-down, bluegrass with the chorus of the townsfolk singing, but then it morphs into Bernie’s recitatives, as well as traditional musical songs with such catchy tunes as “Now That’s a Crime,” or one Mrs. Nugent croons about wishing to go to Tristan da Cunha with Bernie.  Many lyrics have intricate and fun, off-rhymes such as “schmuck” with “lucky.”  At Act One’s end, it is, as expected, revealed that Bernie exploded at Mrs. Nugent’s cruelty and killed her, and also what he did with her body.

Act Two shows Bernie has done many good deeds for his community with the huge fortune Mrs. Nugent left to him; it asks how much expiation of his sins by imprisonment should a good man who has done a bad deed have to endure—or is he in fact good? Was there an excuse for his behavior in a dissociative state induced by childhood abuse?

The cast of eight, backed by four excellent onstage musicians, have terrific voices, and smooth professionalism. One standout with the right Texas accent and pizzazz is ensemble member Halley Jones as both waitress, Tammy, and Mrs. Nugent’s granddaughter. Carol Sherry’s costume changes work well, delineating the multiple characters the actors play. 

The musical has its moments for those who find fascination in the morbid. It’s haunting in its unresolved moral dilemmas. For those put off by the macabre, be warned away. The opening night audience found many a good laugh and was not put off by the play’s morbidity; they gave it a standing ovation.

Southern Harmony is performed at WHAT, 2357 Rte. 6, Wellfleet, Tuesdays – Saturdays, 7 p.m., through September 6. For tickets ($19 – $69) and information call 508.349.9428 or visit what.org