MURDER MYSTERIES
Photo Courtesy of Prairie Pines Dinner Theatre - Maize, KS
Murder One
A Murder Mystery in Five Acts
by
M. K. O'Roark
Cast: 4 Men 3 Women
Set: Interior Police Station
The year - 1947. The city - Chicago. It’s 3:00 am in the squad room of the 42nd precinct. So far it has been a routine shift filled with the usual run-of-the-mill scum. Prostitutes, Thieves, Bankers, Lawyers, etc. The evening takes on a different tone, however, when in walks none other than Chief of Police Patrick “Paddy” O’Brien. He immediately takes seasoned Detective Sam Greenway aside for a confidential chat. During their conversation, Paddy discloses the fact that he is being blackmailed for a past indiscretion by an anonymous mystery man known only as "The Black Glove". He enlists Sam’s assistance in helping him discover the identity of the blackmailer and thus put an end to his problem. Just as he starts to give Sam vital information as to the culprit’s identity, a gunshot rings out and the Chief slumps to the floor dead as a stone. Knowing that the murderer must still be in the station, Sam immediately seals the building and (with a lot of help from the audience), sets about uncovering the identity of the killer. Beware of sharp turns and plot twists in this tale of treachery, deceit, blackmail and (of course) Murder!
Pricing:
$50.00 per performance - Minimum Two Performances.
$5.00 per script - Minimum Script order - Twelve (12) scripts
For more information or to place an order e-mail: melodramamike@hotmail.com
Photo Courtesy of Village Slalom - Overland Park, KS
Murder At Moose Lodge 65
A Murder Mystery in Four Acts
by
M. K. O'Roark
Cast: 5 Men 1 Women
Double Casting Option Possible
Set: Interior Police Station
It is time for the monthly meeting of the executive council of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 65. In attendance are the highest ranking officers of the club which includes incoming Governor Jim Townsend, a very disgruntled out-going Governor Bill Freeman, Treasurer Chester Billington and Prelate Father Patrick O'Reilly. Things start to get slightly out of hand when Bill refuses to relinquish his position (and gavel) as Governor. It is only when he is told what gifts await him upon his retirement that he begrudgingly agrees. One of the gifts is a stripper named Bubbles La'Tour. She arrives very drunk and begins her act. half way through her "performance" she falls on the table seemingly dead to the world. Upon further investigation, she leaps up causing the elderly Bill Freeman to have a genuine and fatal heart attack. It is quickly discovered however, that Bill's bottle of scotch, (another present from the group), has been poisoned. Things quickly spiral out of control prompting the timely arrival of Detective Sam Catchem. Together and with a great deal of help from the audience, they set about trying to solve this very unusual case. Laughter abounds in this wacky tale of vice, corruption and moose and murder.
Pricing:
$50.00 per performance - Minimum Two Performances.
$10.00 per script - Minimum Script order - Eleven (11) scripts
For more information or to place an order e-mail: melodramamike@hotmail.com
Photo Courtesy of Prairie Pines Dinner Theatre - Maize, KS
Murder at Snowy Point
A Murder Mystery in Five Acts
By
M. K. O'Roark
Cast: 6 Men 2 Women
Set: Interior New England Resort
It is a dark and stormy night on the New England island resort of Snowy Point run by kindly old George Spackle with the help of his housekeeper Matilda Mendlebaum. Staying at the hotel are two guests, a recent arrival, one Reed Scribewell a struggling novelist and long time wealthy and reclusive resident Howard Hewsington. The later prefers to stay in his room and ring for Mrs. Mendlebaum when he needs anything. A chore she makes no bones about not being very happy about. They are soon joined by the ominous gangster Bennie "The Blade" Spagetelli and his sweet but brainless companion, Peaches O'Hourrican. Of course, the only way on, or off the island is by a ferry owned and operated by Captain Jack Squat. Everyone is getting settled in when Mr. Hewsington makes his first appearance of the night. Unfortunately it is not to meet and greet the new arrivals, but to make a spectacular death scene. Now it is up to the remaining inhabitants, (and the audience) to solve the case. Nothing is as it seems in this twisted tale as it is quickly discovered that everyone has a profound motive for murdering Mr. Hewsington. Even the hardboiled detective Sam Featherston who has been masquerading as a regular guest in order to throw everyone off the scent has a secret or two up his sleeve.
Pricing:
$50.00 per performance - Minimum Two Performances.
$10.00 per script - Minimum Script order - Thirteen (13) scripts
For more information or to place an order e-mail: melodramamike@hotmail.com
Photo Courtesy of Crown Uptown Theatre - Wichita, Kansas
Murder Most Fowl
A Murder Mystery in Five Acts
By
M.K O’Roark
Cast: 7 Men 4 Women
Double Casting Options Possible
Set: Interior Italian Restaurant
The atmosphere is electric in the dining room of the Italian restaurant aptly named, The Funky Chicken. Owner Luigi Ala King is frantically trying to hurry his staff into a state of readiness in preparation for the arrival of his most prestigious customer, Don Vito Cacciatore, who, of course arrives at the most inopportune time. The staff hurriedly sees to the Don and his luscious paramour's comfort. A tasty little treat named Ginger Teriyaki. They sit down to dine, but not before it is discovered that everyone in the place, (both customers and employees alike), has a very strong motive for murdering our dear Don. So, it is not surprising that as soon as the meal arrives and Vito takes his first bite and washes it down with some fine wine, he slumps over - dead as a stone, an obvious victim of poisoning. Now enters Detective Phillip Cogumbo who, with the help of the audience, attempts to get to the bottom of things. Lots of
hijinks and multiple endings are possible in this grisly tale of intrigue, chicken and murder! Guaranteed to ruffle your feathers with laughter.
Pricing:
$50.00 per performance - Minimum Two Performances.
$10.00 per script - Minimum Script order - Sixteen (16) scripts
For more information or to place an order e-mail: melodramamike@hotmail.com
Photo Courtesy of Prairie Pines Dinner Theatre - Maize, KS
The Maltese Partridge In A Pear Tree
A Murder Mystery in Four Acts
By
M.K O’Roark
Cast: 5 Men 3 Women 4 Audience Participants - Unisex Roles
Set: Exterior A Dark San Francisco Street / Exterior Same Street on in Daytime / Interior Sam’s Office / Penthouse suite of the Palace Hotel
An hilarious retelling of a classic mystery only this time hard boiled detective Sam Shovel is out to find the elusive Maltese Partridge and get to the evil Kasper Gutterman and save the lovely Bridget O’Fallacy and avenge his deceased partners murder. As always everything is not as it appears and Sam will have to stay at the top of his game if he is to emerge victorious and capture the lovely Miss O’Fallacy’s heart.
Pricing:
$50.00 per performance - Minimum Two (2) performances
$10.00 per script - Minimum Script order - Ten (10) scripts
For more information or to place an order e-mail: melodramamike@hotmail.com
Photo Courtesy of Prairie Pines Dinner Theatre - Maize, KS
Murder At Mistletoe Manor
A Murder Mystery in Five Acts
By
M.K O’Roark
Cast: 3 Men 4 Women 1 Set of Twins played by same actor
Set: Interior Mistletoe Manor - A Ritzy Bar Harbor Mansion
It’s Christmas time 1940s and twins Milton and Miranda Mistletoe have invited a collection of guests to their mansion under the rouse of have a festive holiday celebration little does anyone suspect that there is a more insidious reason behind the invite. The Mistletoes are searching for a lost treasure and need help searching the mansion for its whereabouts. Included in the quest list is a trio of beautiful singers. They are followed by one of the sisters jealous gangster boyfriend which only adds fuel to the fire. This continue to heat up as everyone continues to frantically search for the treasure all the while trying to avoid the homicidal maniac who is loose in the mansion.
Pricing:
$50.00 per performance - Minimum Two (2) performances
$10.00 per script - Minimum Script order - Ten (10) scripts
For more information or to place an order e-mail: melodramamike@hotmail.com
Script contains musical suggestions which are not required but if you choose to do them the theatre must be have ASCAP approval
The songs can also easy be removed from the script without compromising the dramatic action of the play.
Photo Courtesy of Prairie Pines Dinner Theatre - Maize, KS
Sherlock Holmes and the Missing Holly
Or
Without a Clue
A Murder Mystery in Five Acts
by
M. K. O'Roark
Cast: 5 Men 3 Women 2 Unisex Roles
Set: Interior 221 B Baker Street / Exterior A Dark Street outside 221 B Baker Street / Exterior London’s Waterfront / Interior London’s famed Diogenes Club
Christmas time in London and Holmes and Watson are back in harness again, or is it Watson and Holmes? In a bazaar twist on this classic tale it is Watson who is the mastermind out to stop Professor Moriarty and rescue the Beautiful Holly Berries before she is kidnapped and murdered by Moriarty and his evil paramour Regina Rattley. All is not as is seems in this tale of intrigue. Be prepared for plenty of twists and turns as Watson and Holmes navigate their way through a maze clues to find the solution.
Pricing:
$50.00 per performance - Minimum Two (2) performances
$10.00 per script - Minimum Script order - Ten (10) scripts
For more information or to place an order e-mail: melodramamike@hotmail.com
Script contains musical suggestions which are not required but if you choose to do them the theatre must be have ASCAP approval
The songs can also easy be removed from the script without compromising the dramatic action of the play.