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Ongoing	Mon, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Wed, Sat, 2pm; Sun, 3pm, 7:15pm

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Billed as the longest-running non-musical play in the city (it’s been running almost continuously since 1987), Warren Manzi’s convoluted thriller Perfect Crime centers on a psychiatrist suspected of murdering her wealthy husband. Standard noir complications ensue with gunshots, mistaken identities, a silly romantic subplot, a crazy cross-dresser, and a creepy painting that purportedly holds all the answers. Somewhat disconcertingly, leading lady Catherine Russell does triple duty as the theater’s general manager and box office worker gamely selling tickets just minutes before the show. Her dedication is laudable— she’s missed just four performances since the production opened—but the whole affair feels a little out of synch, from the anachronistic set pieces (would an affluent shrink really still use a cassette stereo system?) to the nonsensical narrative. While the final “shocking” twist will elicit little more than shrugs from today’s seen-it-all, jaded audiences, the production’s longevity qualifies it as a true New York mystery.

No signs of slowing down:
The production celebrated its 10,000th performance on September 25, and leading lady Catherine Russell has never missed a single curtain call. — Leaya Lee

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• Still Playing at a Theater Near You (10/10/06)