Play Suggestions: Looking For a Murder Mystery/Thriller/Horror Play

Print Page | Close Window

Looking For a Murder Mystery/Thriller/Horror Play

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=4162
Printed Date: 11/26/24 at 5:50am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Looking For a Murder Mystery/Thriller/Horror Play

Posted By: new_age_hippie
Subject: Looking For a Murder Mystery/Thriller/Horror Play
Date Posted: 8/05/09 at 10:05pm

Hi everyone!! I'm trying to find a really good murder mystery/thriller/horror play, preferably more on the dramatic side (if there is comedy relief, that's fine).

I'd like to find one with a cast that is around 12 people, no preference to how the roles are split according to sex.

I really want something that is either slightly shocking, or off kilter with a heavy emphasis on atmosphere and suspense, but I'll pretty much take anything.

I would very much appreciate all of your input in helping me out with this!! Thanks.

Replies:

Posted By: belle
Date Posted: 8/06/09 at 2:18pm

Agatha Christie plays The Mousetrap and 10 Little Indians also called And Then there were None.

The Uninvited--there is a movie of this but also a stage play.

Posted By: NextStagePress
Date Posted: 8/07/09 at 3:56pm

Try KILL THE MOMENT by Scott Gibson

Here's the synopsis:

2M, 2W

An isolated mountain cabin is the setting for the mystery/thriller KILL THE MOMENT. The unexpected appearance of a stranded motorist at the home of a former soap opera actress sets in motion a violent chain of events that includes lies, blackmail, betrayal and murder. Bodies refuse to remain buried—or dead, for that matter—and tend to reappear at the most inconvenient moments in a plot that is by turns morbid, darkly comedic, and wildly unexpected.

you can find it at http://www.nextstagepress.net - www.nextstagepress.net

-------------
New Plays From Across America!

Posted By: Martin
Date Posted: 8/10/09 at 4:23pm

My new murder mystery, The Man in Seat 24 or (The Uninvited Guest), has a cast of 15- 8 females and 7 males- and is published by Brooklyn Publishers.
Synopsis: An irate, rude, and combative theatre patron (in your audience!) hijacks the cast, the crew, and his fellow theatre-goers and winds up stone cold dead at center stage. The Man in Seat 24 Or (The Uninvited Guest) is a murder mystery, a play-within-a-play, where a harried and frazzled theatre director investigates a murder--during a night of theatre gone wrong--and realizes that there is more to this evening’s performance than meets the eye.
Note: There is an optional audience participation section in Act 2 and five imbedded actors in the actual audience.
Good luck in your search,
Martin

Posted By: NextStagePress
Date Posted: 8/11/09 at 8:52am

Martin -

This sounds pretty good. I might like to pick up a copy of this.

Gene Kato

-------------
New Plays From Across America!

Posted By: John Luzaich
Date Posted: 8/12/09 at 11:58am

Rehearsal for Murder

-------------
John
cfct@cfu.net
http://www.osterregent.org
http://www.facebook.com/osterregent

Posted By: ronophonic
Date Posted: 8/19/09 at 9:46am

THE UNEXPECTED GUEST (Agatha Christie) -

murder is not resolved! (unusual for a Christie play)

-------------
ronophonic

Posted By: teejaystudio
Date Posted: 10/09/09 at 3:46pm

Originally posted by Martin

My new murder mystery, The Man in Seat 24 or (The Uninvited Guest), has a cast of 15- 8 females and 7 males- and is published by Brooklyn Publishers.
Synopsis: An irate, rude, and combative theatre patron (in your audience!) hijacks the cast, the crew, and his fellow theatre-goers and winds up stone cold dead at center stage. The Man in Seat 24 Or (The Uninvited Guest) is a murder mystery, a play-within-a-play, where a harried and frazzled theatre director investigates a murder--during a night of theatre gone wrong--and realizes that there is more to this evening’s performance than meets the eye.
Note: There is an optional audience participation section in Act 2 and five imbedded actors in the actual audience.
Good luck in your search,
Martin

Read the preview. Hilarious. I'm just afraid some of our "target demographic" may have angina parties thinking it's all real...

Posted By: Martin
Date Posted: 10/10/09 at 11:15am

Many thanks for the kind words about my play, "The Man in Seat 24 or The Uninvited Guest". Yes, it could be played as a comedy; howvever, there is that side of it that in the hands of a thoughtful director and a good cast could really create an unsuspecting night of terror for the audience. Two high school companies (one in Vermont and one in Pennsylvania) are producing the show in November 2009.
Thanks again for checking out the preview on the Brooklyn Publishing website.
Best wishes,
Martin

Posted By: kries13
Date Posted: 10/12/09 at 4:20pm

Rope is a great murder mystery. I believe it calls for a smaller cast than 12 - but the subject matter is just so compelling.

-------------
kries
I art therefore I am.
www.artisrelative.com

Posted By: teejaystudio
Date Posted: 10/12/09 at 4:47pm

Originally posted by Martin

...however, there is that side of it that in the hands of a thoughtful director and a good cast could really create an unsuspecting night of terror for the audience...

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking. Er, should I say, plotting... I'll have to stock up on Nitroglycerin tablets....