Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Strange request

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mdelange
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Topic: Strange request
Posted: 12/20/06 at 10:26am

Ok this may sound a little strange, but here goes. I am looking for a Mystery show with a small cast, with a small set.

Any suggestions?

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Topper
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Posted: 12/20/06 at 11:02am

Check out "Veronica's Room" by Ira Levin.

Four characters (2 male, 2 female) and a single set. FAIR WARNING: it deals with a lot of unsavory issues (mental illness; possible incest) but despite that ... or BECAUSE of that ... it's VERY creepy.

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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tristanrobin
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Posted: 12/21/06 at 9:06am

I agree with Topper - "Veronica's Room" is super creepy...it's one of my favorites.

On a more "been there" note, "Wait Until Dark" has one set and a small cast...and has audience recognition advantage.

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B-M-D
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Posted: 12/21/06 at 1:01pm

We did both Wait Until Dark and Veronica's Room recently and you need incredibly good actors for each of them to work (which we fortunately had). Not for beginners, neophytes or the occasional "hobbyist" but the payoff is worth it.

"Dying is easy, comedy is hard."

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red diva
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Posted: 12/22/06 at 10:12am

How about "Deathtrap"? Three men, two women and one interior set (living room, if my ever-failing memory serves).

"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"

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TimW
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Posted: 12/22/06 at 8:34pm

I enjoyed doing "Dethtrap". Also look into "I'll Be Back Before Midnight". One set, I think 2 men and 2 women, with a great suprise a t the end.

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bernster74
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Posted: 12/24/06 at 1:31am

Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap has eight actors, an easy set, and huge name recognition. Worth a look.

I love Veronica's Room, but would only recommed it if you got people with the acting chops (as someone has pointed out already) but also 1930's period set pieces - which depending on your situation can be hard to find.

Deathtrap is great if you can get the weapons. A very funny play with thrilling moments.

Night Watch by Lucille Fletcher has a great ending as well - only eight actors (I think...).

Best of luck!

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castMe
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Posted: 12/24/06 at 9:20am

We did "The Hitchhiker" and "Sorry, Wrong Number" together a few years ago and had great fun. We did them as radio plays with a suggested radio studio set and live sound effects.

Investigate. Imagine. Choose.

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pdavis69
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Posted: 1/08/07 at 4:18pm

Ok here's a real old gem: Seven Keys to Baldpate. This was written by George M. Cohan. It's a great mystery with a fun bit of comedy thrown in.

Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

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mtgirl118
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Posted: 1/16/07 at 10:12am

The Bad Seed is very creepy. It is about a young girl of 8 years old who turns out to be a murderer. You will need a little girl who is an excellent actress though.

Ellen Marie

Once upon a time I was a shy young thing ~ Could barely walk and talk so much as dance and sing ~ But let me hit that stage I want to take my bow ~ Cause Momma I'm a big girl now - "Hairspray"

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Author	Message
mdelange Walk-On Joined: 5/18/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Strange request Posted: 12/20/06 at 10:26am
	Ok this may sound a little strange, but here goes. I am looking for a Mystery show with a small cast, with a small set. Any suggestions?

	IP Logged

Topper Celebrity Joined: 1/27/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 543	Posted: 12/20/06 at 11:02am
	Check out "Veronica's Room" by Ira Levin. Four characters (2 male, 2 female) and a single set. FAIR WARNING: it deals with a lot of unsavory issues (mental illness; possible incest) but despite that ... or BECAUSE of that ... it's VERY creepy.
	"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
	IP Logged

tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 12/21/06 at 9:06am
	I agree with Topper - "Veronica's Room" is super creepy...it's one of my favorites. On a more "been there" note, "Wait Until Dark" has one set and a small cast...and has audience recognition advantage.
	IP Logged

B-M-D Celebrity Joined: 11/03/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 346	Posted: 12/21/06 at 1:01pm
	We did both Wait Until Dark and Veronica's Room recently and you need incredibly good actors for each of them to work (which we fortunately had). Not for beginners, neophytes or the occasional "hobbyist" but the payoff is worth it.
	BD "Dying is easy, comedy is hard."
	IP Logged

red diva Celebrity Joined: 5/15/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 199	Posted: 12/22/06 at 10:12am
	How about "Deathtrap"? Three men, two women and one interior set (living room, if my ever-failing memory serves).
	"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"
	IP Logged

TimW Star Joined: 8/10/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 83	Posted: 12/22/06 at 8:34pm
	I enjoyed doing "Dethtrap". Also look into "I'll Be Back Before Midnight". One set, I think 2 men and 2 women, with a great suprise a t the end.
	IP Logged

bernster74 Star Joined: 10/20/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Posted: 12/24/06 at 1:31am
	Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap has eight actors, an easy set, and huge name recognition. Worth a look. I love Veronica's Room, but would only recommed it if you got people with the acting chops (as someone has pointed out already) but also 1930's period set pieces - which depending on your situation can be hard to find. Deathtrap is great if you can get the weapons. A very funny play with thrilling moments. Night Watch by Lucille Fletcher has a great ending as well - only eight actors (I think...). Best of luck!
	IP Logged

castMe Celebrity Joined: 11/02/05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 206	Posted: 12/24/06 at 9:20am
	We did "The Hitchhiker" and "Sorry, Wrong Number" together a few years ago and had great fun. We did them as radio plays with a suggested radio studio set and live sound effects.
	Investigate. Imagine. Choose.
	IP Logged

pdavis69 Celebrity Joined: 3/26/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 437	Posted: 1/08/07 at 4:18pm
	Ok here's a real old gem: Seven Keys to Baldpate. This was written by George M. Cohan. It's a great mystery with a fun bit of comedy thrown in.
	Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse
	IP Logged

mtgirl118 Player Joined: 4/10/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/16/07 at 10:12am
	The Bad Seed is very creepy. It is about a young girl of 8 years old who turns out to be a murderer. You will need a little girl who is an excellent actress though. Ellen Marie
	Once upon a time I was a shy young thing ~ Could barely walk and talk so much as dance and sing ~ But let me hit that stage I want to take my bow ~ Cause Momma I'm a big girl now - "Hairspray"
	IP Logged

Topic: Strange request( Topic Closed)
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