By AJ Jaffari

What happens when murder becomes a fine art? At Pear Theatre, The Art of Murder delivers a deliciously clever blend of mystery and mischief, blurring the line between creation and destruction in the most entertaining way. Written by Joe DiPietro, this Tony Award–winning dark comedy takes the classic whodunit and turns it on its head, mixing sharp humor, theatrical tension, and a touch of absurdity.

The story follows Jack Brooks, a temperamental painter with an ego as oversized as his canvases, and his cunning wife, Annie. When Jack invites his art dealer, Vincent, to their secluded Connecticut home, the night quickly spirals into a battle of wits, deceit, and deadly intentions. What begins as a civilized evening of wine and conversation unravels into a game of manipulation and revenge—proving that in the art world, sometimes the masterpiece is the murder itself.

Jen Cuevas (Annie) leads the charge as a seemingly obedient wife—though there’s much more beneath the surface. Paired with Zach Vaughn-Munck (Jack), the two drew me in so completely that I found myself genuinely unsettled by the toxicity of their marriage—a true testament to their brilliance in these roles. Together, they brought moments of fear, anguish, and righteousness that kept me thoroughly invested and entertained from start to finish.

Another standout for me was David Mister (Vincent), who, as always, is a joy to watch on stage. I’d love to see him take on more straight plays—his timing and instincts are simply impeccable. He delivered a genuine, layered performance in a role that could easily lean into caricature. I especially admired how he found moments of subtle comedy and used them to perfectly complement the energy and rhythm of the show.

Pear Theatre is known for its innovative approaches to live performance, but I have to say—this particular configuration might be my favorite yet. Louis Stone-Collonge’s scenic design felt both purposeful and inviting, creating a space that perfectly grounded the story’s tension. Chris Beer’s lighting design added just the right amount of chill to the atmosphere, heightening the suspense at every turn. And a special shoutout to Lisa Rozman for her costume design—I even complimented her post-show on Annie’s yellow kaftan, which was not only beautifully accurate but perfectly suited to the show’s muted, maroon-toned palette.

This is absolutely a play I’d see again, and I highly recommend catching it before it closes—you won’t want to miss this one.

The Art of Murder runs through October 19th and tickets are available here.