By John Lyle Belden

As I once heard a comedian say, at some point with a mass murderer’s body count, you’re not sure whether to be appalled, or impressed.

Southbank Theatre Company presents “Hell’s Belle,” billed as “A True Crime Dark Comedy About Indiana’s First Serial Killer,” by Amalia Howard, directed by Becky Schlomann. Local actor Howard’s script was the winner of Southbank’s playwriting contest to determine this season’s closing show.

Based on the true story of Belle Gunness, a Norwegian-born widow who lived on a farm by the northern Indiana town of LaPorte from 1901 to 1908, we get a light-hearted look at a heavy topic. Howard portrays Belle’s sister, Nellie Larson, who narrates the story, speaking through time to today’s audiences, as well as other roles as needed. Ryan Moskalick and Jim Cherry play various men, many of whom do not live long. One exception is Moskalick as the farmhand Ray Lamphere, who survives Belle only to be tried as an accomplice.

As the star of the show, we have Lisa Marie Smith as Belle. She is plain but not ugly, and quite a find for lonely sons of Norway seeking the comfort of the cooking they grew up with. Her kitchen talents were indeed notable, if you don’t mind the strychnine.

Smith gives her enough cleverness and charisma to keep her activities unsuspected, coupled with her unresolved issues around men and the children she desperately wants but can’t keep alive. She also feels the financial pressure that hits hard on single women of the era. Not that this excuses numerous instances of insurance fraud, but then, a girl gets accustomed to a certain standard of living.

While not downplaying the seriousness of the crimes, we get a rather humorous look at these events, especially the circus atmosphere that attends the eventual discovery of her many, many victims.

How many people did she kill? Did she get away with it all, slipping away with what today would be more than a million dollars? These questions are still debated. The evidence is presented for you to make your own guess as well.

Schlomann is assisted by Rachel Serago; Jenn Byers is stage manager. Simple yet comfy set design is by Scott Hall. Costumes and props (including a deadly meat-grinder) are by Karen Cones.

For an entertaining bit of macabre Indiana history, attend “Hell’s Belle,” Thursday through Sunday (April 30-May 3) at Shelton Auditorium, 1000 W. 42^nd Street (southwest corner of Butler University), Indianapolis. For info and tickets, go to southbanktheatre.org.