BEVERLY HILLS – If you were lucky enough to see Kristin Towers Rowles perform the role of Christine in the recent “Phantom of the Opera Concert” fundraiser for the Downey Symphony, you know she is one of the finest actors in LA Theatre.

She is also magnificent in her role as Kay in Agatha Christie’s “Towards Zero” at Theatre Forty. Rush to see this production before it closes Oct. 22.

Agatha Christie is the best selling novelist of all time, and regarded as one of our greatest mystery novelists. And there are the film, television, and play adaptations of her work. She also wrote plays, including “The Mousetrap”, the world’s longest running play, now in its 70th year in London. “Towards Zero” was adapted for the stage by Christie and Gerald Verner.

Ms. Christie invented this genre. Before we get to guessing the killer’s name, we are guessing who is going to be killed. There are enough suspicious characters and red herrings to keep us busy until the ingenious ending.

The elder Lady Tressilian (Michelle Schultz is delightful) is confined to her seaside manor with her caregiver Mary Alden (Kataya Rocker-Cook). Tressillian is hosting the end of the summer gatherings of relatives and friends for decades. Her longtime solicitor, Mathew Treves (John Colmbs is brilliant) drops in.

Athlete and English gentleman, Nevile Strange (Christopher Francisco), former ward of Lady Tressilian’s deceased husband, provokes her displeasure by bringing both his new wife, the prima donna Kay (Kristin Tower Rowles knocks it out of the park), and his ex-wife, Audrey (Holy Sidell). He wants them to become friends. It’s a crazy idea.

Other guests include Neville’s long time friend Thomas Royde (Jeremy Schaye) and Kay’s friend Ted Latimer (the very authentic and believable Michael Mullen).

And yes, by the end of Act One there is a brutal murder.

Superintendent Battle (Artistic Director David Hunt Stafford is the utmost professional) and Inspector James Leach (Hisato Masuyama) arrive finding themselves in a labyrinthine maze of clues. Everyone is interviewed. Everyone has a motive and opportunity. Everyone realizes there is a killer in the house. Is it one person? Or is it a conspiracy? There are enough plot twists to keep us guessing. And the odds are we won’t get it right. It is quite marvelous.

Craig Hissong is the director and the stage manager. Jeff G Rack’s set design is perfect in so many ways. Excellent lighting design by Derrick McDaniel and sound design by Nick Foran. Michael Mullen does double duty with costume design. David Hunt Stafford is the Artistic Director.

Theatre Forty is a wonderfully intimate, well equipped and comfortable theatre. Seats are within three rows of the stage. Since the early 70’s, it has been located on the campus of Beverly Hills High School. Free parking is available adjacent to the theatre.

Performances continue through Oct. 22 on Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are $35 and available by calling (310) 364-0536 and online at theatre40.org.

Support Kristin’s terrific work, and Los Angeles intimate theatre, and give yourself a treat, and go see “Toward Zero” playing through October 22nd. Theatre40.org