Rehearsal For Murder
A thriller by D. D. Brooke
Directed by Stefanie Austin

Performances: Sept. 26th, 27th, & 28th at 7:30pm @ The Boal Barn Playhouse

Synopsis: This is a thrilling "theatrical" mystery in which your theatre becomes the set for the play. The playwright turns on the stage work light and prepares for the first reading of his new play. The actors, producer, director and others connected with the show come onto the stage, and under their humorous (and utterly real) theatrical talk, tension grows. We discover that everyone connected with this play was involved with another play by the same playwright. At its opening night, exactly a year ago and in this same theatre, the beautiful leading lady, who was also the playwright's fiancee, was murdered! As these people start with the new play, startling connections to the murder begin to unfold. The growing tension reaches the boiling point with surprising revelations, countered by others even more surprising. The dazzling, yet basically logical twists build to a climax and solution that are theatrically stunning! The authors of this thriller have all had direct Broadway experience, and their dialogue has a special sting of wit and reality. For the best mystery in years, post a notice on your theatre callboard, "Rehearsal for Murder."

A drafted rehearsal schedule will be shared in advance.

Available Roles (* = may be doubled):

• Alex Dennison (Male, 40's-50's, lead): A playwright. Handsome, witty, smart, and determined to trap his late wife's killer. Actor must be able to control the action and express a full range of emotions.
• Monica Welles (Female, 40's, lead): Alex's late wife. Famous and beautiful actress. Although she is deceased, she is "brought to life" through flashblacks. Must be able to express a full range of emotions.
• Lloyd Andrews (Male, 40's-50's, supporting): Director of Alex's recent show. Handsome, nerdy.
• Bella Lamb (Female, late 40's-early 60's, supporting): Show producer. Bright, wealthy, glamorous, confident, sophisticated.
• Karen Daniels (Female, 30's, supporting): Rising Broadway actress. Beautiful, somewhat meek, but ambitious.
• David Mathews (Male, 40's-50's, supporting): Tall, popular, handsome, smug Broadway actor. Over-confident.
• Leo Gibbs (Male, 30's, supporting): Supporting Broadway actor. Awkward and a tad obnoxious.
• Sally Bean (Female, late teen's to early 20's, supporting): Alex's assistant. Young, naive, energetic.
• Frank Heller (Male, late 30's-early 40's, supporting): Mostly an observer to start, but later intervenes in Act II as a detective then as himself. A "jack of all trades" who works as an actor, bartender, cab driver, etc.
• Ernie* (Male, any age, featured): Gruff, no-nonsense theatre manager.
• Loretta* (Female, any age, featured): Stage manager. Efficient, determined.
• Police Officer 1* (Male, 30's-50's, featured): NYC police officer.
• Police Officer 2* (Female, 30's-50's, featured): NYC police officer.
• Santoro* (Male, any age, featured): Delivery man.
• Mac* (Male, 50's, featured): An observer in Act I, but make an appearance in Act II.

NOTES:

• This will be a low-tech show with minimal crew. Actors will be expected to help with costumes, props, and set elements.