I’ve always been one for a good mystery, especially in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock or Agatha Christie, and that’s why Leslie Sands who-dun-it, Cat’s Cradle was such an intriguing experience. Directed by Jack Phillips in the 78-year-old Western Springs Theatre in Western Springs, Cat’s Cradle was filled with suspense from the moment London Inspector Jack Frost (played by Bill Hammack) made his way across the stage amidst the hotel lobby, attempting to solve a missing baby case from more than ten years earlier. Frost tried to figure out the crime but was unsuccessful his first time around – and now he has returned to make good – despite the unwelcome treatment by the local townspeople. Suspicion rises with each character including hotel owners Sam and Mary Fletcher (William Fitzgerald and Mary Pavia), town bigwig Sir Charles Cresswell (Denny Wise), and even the missing baby’s mother Pamela Fulton (Janette Quinn). Apparently, everyone is too preoccupied with Sarah’s wedding, Pamela Fulton’s surviving child.

Frost can’t quite put his finger on it, but he knows something’s amiss. As Frost gets knee deep into a “cover up” of some sort, he makes an unlikely partnership with young journalist Bob Merriott (Danny Fogarty), the former love interest of Sarah Fulton. The two collaborate as things become more and more suspicious.

Bill Hammack was sensational as the quirky, suspecting Frost making his character instantly likeable. His quick wit and clever dialogue charmed the audience and had the house hanging on his every word. It was a special pleasure to see Bill’s daughter Libby share the stage with him in her first ever appearance on the Western Springs stage.

In tradition with the Western Springs Theatre, audience members were treated to a Q&A with cast members afterwards, which occurs every Thursday. Plot questions to compliments arose as the cast and director Jack Phillips graciously answered.

For play or general information visit www.theatrewesternsprings.com.