playS and MuSicalS - Contemporary Drama Service

Comedy Mysteries / Whodunits
Murder at the Pie Auction
by MICHAEL DRUCE
A fundraiser “whodunit” dinner theatre
mystery with audience participation
Cast: 6F, 4M, 4 M or F
Playing time: About 45 minutes
Complete playkit with 10 scripts and
rights to reproduce copies: $22.95
Order #R-P1789
New!
The audience becomes part of the pie auction in this dual
parody of Hell’s Kitchen and Northern Exposure. After
years of trying unsuccessfully, the town of Mynute, Alaska,
finally lands famous Mother Mabel’s Pie Baking
Competition. But it was all due to a typo mistaking Mynute
for Minot. The contest looks to be a disaster with no media
or publicity. One of the contestants is writing a tell-all book
about the seamy side of pie baking. Hours before it begins,
the pie judge goes missing and turns up dead while the
audience is bidding for the pies. With an ample serving of
motive and all the right ingredients for murder, this is the
perfect dinner theatre recipe for big laughs, outrageous
characters, and audience participation. A wild pie baking
free-for-all! Perfect as a fundraiser. One set.
Murder in the Air
by PEG SHELDRICK
A fundraiser “whodunit” murder mystery
Cast: 5F, 8M
Playing time: Varies up to 1 1 ⁄2 hours
Complete playkit with 14 scripts, case file,
ballot form and clues for photocopying: $34.95
Order #R-P1152
Use this murder mystery event to generate income for
your drama club or department. It may be staged as a
dinner theatre special or as a staged play. Sell tickets for
the event and sell extra ballots for more than one guess
at “whodunit”! The audience interacts with some
members of the cast. The mystery play begins with an
informal “cocktail party” where specific events occur.
The first part of the scripted drama follows. Next, a
break for dinner or refreshments. At this time the
audience members are given a written case file
summary, optional extra clues and ballots for a prize.
The cast then enacts the denouément revealing the killer
and the motive. It’s all about eccentric Lord Cyril Pierce
Ninny, self-made zillionaire pilot who was about to
announce the winner of his multimillion dollar Ninny
Endowment when … MURDER!
And Then There Was One
by MICHAEL DRUCE
Murder, mayhem and lots of silliness
Cast: 5F, 5M, 1 off-stage voice
Playing time: 40 minutes
Complete playkit with 11 scripts: $22.95
Order #R-P1079
www.contemporarydrama.com • toll-free 800-937-5297 • toll-free 24-hour fax 888-594-4436
29
This take-off from Agatha Christie’s famous stage
mysteries is all comedy, filled with hilarious sight gags
and dialog. Ten people are brought together at the
Reef Mansion on a tiny island. Each has received a
mysterious invitation to a weekend party. The host is
missing, but he has left an ominous tape that bodes
evil for the guests. One by one, they die in humorous
ways, each suspecting the others. Finally, only one
remains, having shot who she believes is the killer.
Then the murdered guests begin to reappear, having
faked their own deaths. Easy-to-do costumes and
staging. Only one set. A lively comedy for performers
and audience alike.
“ Your ‘whodunits’
are the best! Thanks!”
And Then There Was One, Too
by MICHAEL DRUCE
More murder, mayhem and silliness
Cast: 5F, 5M
Playing time: 40 minutes
Complete playkit with 11 scripts: $22.95
Order #R-P1125
A continuation of our popular Agatha Christie take-off
comedy, filled with more hilarious sight gags and
dialog. The same ten people are unknowingly brought
together again under false pretenses. This time it’s at
the House on Cable Car Cliff for a masquerade party.
When the masks are removed, they find they’ve been
reunited with the Reef Mansion crowd. Somebody has
lied to them. G. Reef’s body is found. Again, they all
accuse each other. One by one, they die in even more
humorous ways, the killer still a mystery. Finally only
the butler and maid are left having committed the
perfect crime. But there’s a twist, followed by the
reappearance of the cast. They’re only acting out a
mystery story commissioned by Mr. Reef. Or are they?
Ends with a final twist. Easy costumes and staging, one
set. Another lively comedy for performers and
audience alike.