A witty homage to the murder mysteries of yesteryear, this musical is a theatrical duet loaded with killer laughs. According to the New York Times, it is “Ingenious! A snazzy double-act that spins out a comic mystery animated by funny, deftly turned songs.”
Production History:
The musical was a brainchild of Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair, who developed the play at the Adirondack Theater Festival and 43nd Street Moon. Kinosian composed the music and Blair penned the lyrics, while they both wrote the book for the musical. The first production of the musical premiered at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in May, 2011 and became a huge success. The musical’s original run was extended four times and it ran for six months.
Following its success in Chicago in July, 2013, the play opened in New York at the McGinn/Cazale Theater. Once again it was a huge success and its run was extended twice on popular demand. The musical has now been moved to the New World Stages, where it is expected to run till March.
About the Play:
The musical revolves around a small town police officer, Marcus Moscowicz, whose main ambition on life is to solve a major case and become detective. It seems his chance is finally here as Great American Novelist Arthur Whitney has just been shot dead at his own surprise birthday party. Marcus has only an hour to solve the crime, because that’s how long it will take for the nearest detective to reach the crime scene.
The suspects include Dahlia Whitney, Arthur Whitney’s wife, Barrette Lewis, the prima ballerina and Dr. Giff, the friendly psychiatrist. On Marcus’s side we have his silent partner Lou.
All hell breaks loose, when Marcus starts investigating the crime. More so because there are only two characters on stage and they portray thirteen different people. The ninety minute production has all the elements of an entertaining blockbuster: murder, music and mayhem.
The Team:
Apart from the music and lyrics duo of Kinosian and Blair, the creative team also includes director Scott Schwartz, scenic designer Beowulf Boritt, costume designer Andrea Lauer, music director David Caldwell and choreographer Wendy Seyb. The two actors in the musical are Jeff Blumenkrantz and Brett Ryback.
Schwartz is an established Broadway director renowned for directing plays like Jane Eyre and Golda’s Balcony. His off-Broadway work is also very impressive and features Bat Boy: The Musical, The Foreigner, Kafka’s The Castle and No Way to Treat a Lady. His other work includes directing the world premiere of Secondhand Lions and the world premiere of What We’re Up Against.
Jeff Blumenkrantz plays the role of the suspects in the play. He is a seasoned Broadway actor, who has appeared in plays like Into the Woods, Threepenny Opera, Damn Yankees and A Class Act. Jeff has also appeared in a number of television shows and is also a musical theater composer/lyricist with a Tony Award nomination under his belt.
Brett Ryback plays Marcus, the aspiring police officer. An actor, playwright and composer, his resume includes plays like History Boys, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Prince of Atlantis, Henry V, On Your Toes! and Over the Tavern. Ryback has also written number of plays himself, many of which have been highly critically acclaimed.