Marianne Zimmerly's directorial debut is quite a success with the murder mystery comedy, " A Shot in the Dark" by Marcel Achard, adapted by Harry Kurnitz. The play opens tonight at Butler Little Theatre, One Howard St.

At a preview, it was clear that she expertly cast the play with some terrific talent worthy enough to redeem an otherwise wordy play.

The playwright Achard is known for saying, "When I give a lecture, I accept that people look at their watches, but what I do not tolerate is when they look at it and raise it to their ear to find out if it stopped." I must confess I did look at my watch during this rather lengthy show, but mostly during the second half.

Several newcomers to BLT offered exciting noteworthy performances. Danyle Verzinskie seemed at home on stage in the role of LeBlache, with the minor exception of the chain smoker quality. That idiosyncrasy did not add to the character and was distracting as she is obviously not a smoker in real life.

Overlooking that aspect, her chemistry and comfort with the stage made LeBlache a most believable character, although her title role in the court system remained a mystery to me.

The acting of Tricia Pritchard, who portrayed Antoinette Sevigne, the wife of the magistrate, was fantastic.

This real-life stay-at-home mom of three could be a Doris Day impersonator. Her blond coiffure and her little upturned nose, large eyes and sweet smile were every inch of what that role called for. Her connection with her co-star Doug Anderson was immediate and real to the audience. She was most beguiling and enjoyable during the scene about her missing gloves.

The snooty aristocrats of the show were played by Casey Evanko and newcomer Angelo Quaranta, who donned the role of pretentious banker with ease.

Quaranta seemed quite relaxed delivering his ostentatious lines and was equally as convincing during his scenes where he is smitten by his lover, Josefa, played by the captivating Monica Filippone.

Filippone was compelling in her role of an overly talkative, somewhat ditzy, fairly or unfairly (you be the judge) convicted murderess. She is a genuinely versatile actress who can seemingly play any type of role, and this one did not disappoint.

Anderson, along with Robert Snodgrass Jr., did a commendable job with their performances as well, one as a man of conviction and one a cynic, both victims in their own right of the judicial system in Paris, France.

There is only one set in this play and very little action. The set looks wonderful with every attention to detail, save for the clock on the wall, which did not change. The wood and rich green colors were pleasing, a plus since one has to look at them all evening. The female characters' clothes were lovely, especially Josefa's dress and the outfits of LeBlanche and Antoinette Sevigne.

The show is long and somewhat wordy, but well acted. The murder mystery comedy twists and turns until the guilty is charged. Zimmerly should be most proud of her debut as a director. She was successful at getting to the heart of the characters and encouraging her cast to maximize the roles and make them their own.