Christie’s `Black Coffee’ is Acadia Repertory at its best

Sir Claud Amory is dead. And isn’t it too bad because he was just about to gain recognition and wealth for his atomic-bomb formula which would revolutionize mass destruction of humans. Oh well. At least he had his favorite meal of fried sole for dinner, but, my, wasn’t that coffee oddly bitter? It must have been the special brew, or perhaps small traces of poison. But who would have done such a thing? His upstart niece? His enterprising son? His trusty butler? And what about the Italian doctor?

In case you haven’t guessed, it’s whodunit time again at Acadia Repertory Theatre in Somesville, where Agatha Christie’s murder mystery “Black Coffee” deliciously completes the regular season of summer offerings. (Each of the season’s shows will be reprised for week-long runs during September.)

Without a doubt, this is Acadia at its best: a full stage of actors (13 to be exact), all elegantly garbed in period costumes (designed luxuriously by Christine Erickson), while acting out the wry three acts of drawing-room intrigue. Written in 1934, “Black Coffee” had been long out of print and unavailable in this country, so the production, directed by guest artist J. Robert Dietz, has a freshness to it that adds an extra appeal for Christie fans who patiently wait each season for the Acadia murder-mystery offering. And it was well worth the wait this year.

Reprising his skillful artistry from last year when he also portrayed a corpse, Kenneth Stack plays the tyrannical Sir Claud with determination and finesse — that is, during the first 20 minutes of the play while Sir Claud is still alive. But, even as a corpse, Stack is ghastly good.

Likewise, longtime Acadia actor Katharine Tyson is deftly droll as Sir Claud’s sister, and John Erickson brings a burst of comedic energy onstage as Inspector Japp.

Eugene J. Tierney carries the show with a thoroughy spiffy and animated performance of the dearly loved Poirot, and, as Hastings, Alan Gallant is a sportive sidekick.

As Carelli, the Italian doctor who is curiously misplaced among this lot of English ladies and gents, Lou Solomon is wily and dark. He knows too much about Sir Claud’s Italian daughter-in-law Lucia Amory, played with spark by M. Patricia Prendergast. And Sir Claud’s heir-apparent son, Richard, solidly portrayed by Michael Kemp, is suspicious.

Supporting cast members, including apprentice Lou Johnson (as the butler) and intern Michelle Kemp (as Sir Claud’s niece), offer enjoyable performances, although Lorin Werthheimer (as Sir Claud’s secretary) is comparatively bland.

Agatha Christie’s “Black Coffee” will be performed 8:15 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through Aug. 30, and 2 p.m. Aug. 16, 23 and 30 at Acadia Repertory Theatre in Somesville. For more information, call 244-7260.