Arts & Entertainment
Love thy neighbor
Creepy new mystery catches speed after difficult intro
The crime rate was just too much.
Oh, it wasn’t anything violent. Nobody got killed, it was nothing like that. But petty thefts happened too often in your area and minor vandalism was on the rise, so your neighbors organized a Crime Watch. Just thinking they’re being seen has chased away a lot of mischief makers and you feel safer.
(Image courtesy Viking)
Keeping an eye on your neighbor’s house is a courtesy as old as civilization. But in the new book “Thy Neighbor” by Norah Vincent, one man takes “neighborhood watch” a bit too far.
There was something particularly loathsome about Dave.
Nick Walsh could barely bring himself to call Dave a friend. Dave was more like a parasite, acting like he cared after Nick’s parents’ murder-suicide when he only cared about himself.
That’s why Dave was the first of Nick’s spying projects.
After all, what else did Nick have to do but watch his neighbors? Avoid ghosts that skulked around the house, out-of-sight but not out of smell? Yeah, Nick was sure he could smell his parents, 13 years after their deaths.
It was easy to spy on Dave: Nick bought a kit from the Yellow Pages, installed cameras in a DVD player and made it a present. Spying allowed him to verify that Dave was a fat jerk.
The next victim was Dorris, the divorcee across the road. She and her ex had some explosive fights. It was no wonder he left her.
Then there was the Gruber family. Nick felt sorry for the wife and boys, especially the youngest one. His dad was some piece of work.
The only person Nick didn’t watch was Mrs. Bloom, who’d lost her daughter and granddaughter. She was harmless. He felt a strange kinship with her.
So between monitoring the neighbors, drinking down at the Swan and spending time with Monica, a woman he’d met there, Nick’s pathetic little life was full.
And then the pink notepaper started appearing in his mailbox.
Someone was sending him poetry, written in his handwriting but it wasn’t anything he’d ever penned.
Somebody was playing games. Suddenly, Nick knew he had to watch himself.
Not quite a thriller, not exactly a mystery, “Thy Neighbor” turns out to be a little of both, and a twist.
With his sardonic words and deep self-loathing, it’s obvious that author Norah Vincent’s main protagonist, Nick, is damaged. I got that, but I didn’t get much else from this book for several pages in. There are a lot of drink-hazy scenes, dialogue that goes in circles and confusion that made it hard to stay focused.
But then Vincent lets us see what Nick is seeing. When that happens, it’s hard to look away and it’s hard to feel sorry for Nick anymore. That he’s a voyeur becomes as reprehensible as what he sees and what happens is a big surprise.
Ultimately, I liked this book enough, even if it was hard to get into. If you can deal with that and some harsh language, then missing “Thy Neighbor” could be a crime.
Theater
Don’t miss summer productions at Clear Space in Rehoboth Beach
‘Cher Show,’ ‘Pretty Woman’ among season’s standouts
“The Cher Show” at Clear Space Theatre is wonderful. I am always amazed at the talent they attract for their summer series. Kudos to Wes Drummond, the artistic director of the theater. “The Cher Show” is written by Rick Elice. Compliments to the talented director, James FitzSimmons, who brought to life this production. His immensely talented cast includes Shannen Hofheimer as Star, Breanna Lemerise as Lady, Abby Lynne as Babe, and Anya Kay, as young Cher. Each is a pleasure to both watch and listen to. They command the stage. Then more kudos to the entire cast and ensemble. Also, the creative team, which includes among so many who make this show a hit, choreographer Shondelle Graulich; scenic designer, David Chappell; lighting designer Brendan Smith; costume designer Valerie Beardsley; and the entire orchestra led by conductor, Jerry Birl.
But the actor who I was looking forward to seeing in the production, was a young actor I had written about, and reviewed, when I saw him at Clear Space two years ago. In this production he is Sonny Bono, and he definitely didn’t disappoint.
Let me introduce Caetano de Sá. I have written about him before, but his resume is worth repeating. It says; Height: 5’7 ½, Eyes: Brown, Voice part: Tenor G2 – C5, Build: Athletic. All true. Then you add to this he speaks Brazilian Portuguese, is certified in stage combat by the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Then as his resume of roles confirms, he can act, sing, and dance with the best. He does a great job as Sonny and is fun to watch on stage. Here he displays his talents as a singer and actor, and they are as good as I remembered them when I first met Caetano while he was still in school in 2024, and was starring as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” at Clear Space. At the time he was a rising senior at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee BFA Musical Theater program. I interviewed him, and Harry Sperduto, who played Tommy Devotee, after seeing them in the show, and being amazed by their talent. Since that time, I have followed their careers. When I heard Caetano was coming back to Clear Space for the summer, I reached out, and he agreed to sit down and chat, which we did. I knew Clear Space Theatre was planning a busy summer season. Their lineup of shows included “The Cher Show,” “Mean Girls,” and “Pretty Woman.” They always have talented casts, including the many college students who are getting their first chance to shine, which was the case for Caetano in 2024. Now he is back as a graduate, with more experience under his belt, a little more established. This season he was going to play Sonny in their production of “The Cher Show,” Martin/Coach Carr, in “Mean Girls,” and Mr. Hollister in “Pretty Woman,” and being a part of the ensemble. He told me he really enjoys being at Clear Space, and that his castmates are all talented. He is a lot more experienced than when he was here before, having performed in productions at the Prairie Repertory Theatre, the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Firehouse Center for the Arts, and the Sullivan Rep, among others. In productions as diverse as “Oklahoma!,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Hairspray,” and “Rock of Ages.” He now lives in New York City and clearly New York is the perfect place for an aspiring actor. He has an agent at Bramante Artists, who is getting him gigs, like the one he had at 54 Below and even a TV commercial for AFLAC.
“The Cher Show” is the second show I have seen at Clear Space this summer. After our chat I got one of the last tickets available that evening for “Pretty Woman.” In that production he has a smaller role, and is part of the incredibly talented ensemble. It is also an entertaining show and its very talented stars, Abby McDonough as Vivian, and Jaiden Leo Riley as Edward, are a pleasure to watch. Kudos to the talented director, Ashley Williams, and the entire creative team.
For anyone living at the beach, or coming for a visit, I urge you to plan a night at Clear Space. You won’t regret it. But know tickets for all the shows, and Sunday evening cabaret nights, sell out fast. So, I suggest you see what’s available online and buy yours today.
The 2026 World Pride March was held on Saturday, Aug. 8 in Amsterdam. Tens of thousands of participants marched from Martin Luther Kingpark to the grounds of the Pride Village at Museumplein.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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The weekly drag show “Daddy Issues” was held at Kiki on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Performers included Evry Pleasure, Indiana Bones and Tiara Missou-Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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