Murder Mystery set in a Radio Station
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Play Suggestions
Forum Discription: Need help finding a show that's right for your theater? Ask here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2765
Printed Date: 11/26/24 at 9:24pm
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Topic: Murder Mystery set in a Radio Station
Posted By: lmar12
Subject: Murder Mystery set in a Radio Station
Date Posted: 10/23/07 at 1:24pm
I am trying to find a full-length play that is a murder mystery and set in a 1930's-40's radio station. Actually ANY play set in a radio station of that time period could work. Any ideas? I won't be in production until next September so if you don't see this message until the summer of 2008 and you have an idea--please send it! (I know about 1940's Radio Hour--I am not looking for a musical) Thanks
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Replies:
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 10/24/07 at 7:49am
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We had some success this year doing live presentations of old radio shows. We did them just as they would have been done when they first aired with a sound effects guy and all. We did a whole evening of shows. The audience really liked that style and the prep time for rehearsals was very short. Just a suggestion. ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: lmar12
Date Posted: 10/24/07 at 9:40am
| Thanks! I should have explained further. Our local Public Broadcasting Radio station has asked us to put on The War of The Worlds just as it was broadcast back in the 1930's next fall. However, it is a small cast and we thought we would also try to do a full length play at the same time. (I know we're nuts--but we've done two plays at once before) We thought we could use the same set--and I thought there was some sort of murder mystery that was set in a radio studio--but I can't find it. Thanks for your help |
Posted By: vickifrank
Date Posted: 10/24/07 at 11:05am
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Have you considered commissioning a play? You do have the time(..you could even sponsor a contest).
In fact it may be fun to have the murder mystery to be about War of the Worlds. Somebody gets murdered during the broadcast, and various people are covering it up (to protect the radio station, to protect the celbrities). The characters could be fun too. Orsen Wells, a money grubbing show producer, vain voice actors, writers with agendas. Hey, whodunit?
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Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 10/24/07 at 2:03pm
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You may be thinking of the movie "Radioland Murders" which is a mystery set in the 1930's during a fledgling radio station's premiere live broadcast. As far as I know, it exists only as a movie and no theatrical production of it has ever been performed.
Perhaps you could get the rights and do your own adaptation as others have suggested? ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: Dough Boy
Date Posted: 10/24/07 at 4:42pm
| There is a 1940's radio version of It's a Wonderful life by Joe Landry. It takes place in the radio station with actors and sound effects as mentioned above. September may be a little early for this Christmas classic, but perhaps Landry has adapted other well known shows with the same radio theme. |
Posted By: Dough Boy
Date Posted: 10/24/07 at 4:53pm
| Okay, I did a little more research. It's called It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. by Joe Landry It's published by Playscripts Inc. But it doesn't look like he has any more in that genre. |
Posted By: bbpchick
Date Posted: 10/27/07 at 1:36am
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Just found a play (not a murder mystery but set in a radio station)
"Called Pilgrims (radio play manuscript)"
Heres the link:
http://www.dramaticpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=1171 - http://www.dramaticpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=1171
I just found another play that seems to be set in a radio station: Called "Talk Radio" from Samuel French
Here is the link to that one:
http://www.samuelfrench.com/store/product_info.php/products_id/1565 - http://www.samuelfrench.com/store/product_info.php/products_id/1565
Looks like there is also a play called "Radio T.B.S." I can't tell from the description if it is set in a radio station, but it looks like it. Here is the link:
http://www.bakersplays.com/store/product_info.php/products_id/901?osCsid=61c5863b46b4514b6950410ad246a053 - http://www.bakersplays.com/store/product_info.php/products_id/901?osCsid=61c5863b46b4514b6950410ad246a053
I hope this helps. I looked at Baker's plays, Dramatistists, and Samuel French. I hope you find something that works for you.
Kendra ------------- Kendra http://www.murphysblackbartplayer.com - www.murphysblackbartplayers.com You are NEVER too old to dress up! |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 11/18/07 at 8:48pm
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I have noticed over the years, with staged radio plays, they always forget one important character in the script. That is the Stage/Floor Manager. Who would either work from a podium near the actors, from a table or wandeing & jumping about cueing the action. Much like an Orchestra Conductor, developing hand, physical signals or exspressions during the play. Of course it things went wrong, body language was, as he couldn't do it verbaly! ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: lmar12
Date Posted: 11/19/07 at 5:48pm
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Thanks everyone! These are really terrific ideas. You have given me a lot to think about--and as several of you have mentioned--I have a lot of time to explore the different options. If anyone has anymore ideas please share them!
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Posted By: Martin
Date Posted: 8/23/08 at 6:34am
| Delia Dancer, Doughnut Girl (21 roles) Heuer Publishing www.hitplays.com |