A look back on a handful of productions of Play Dead comedy mysteries presented across the globe.
The year started off with the premier of my new play called "Last Call At Chez Mort" by my home group Affton Center Stage.
Set in the 1940's at European style Supper Club "Chez Mort". It recounts the tale of an unusual crime in the Swing Era time.
Later the same year, "Last Call At Chez Mort" was produced by my old friends at FACT Players in Freedom, Wisconsin. / Vacaville Gaslighters in Vacaville, California and then it traveled way down south to the Hotel Magnolia, Casco Viejo, Panama city, Panama. The Panama production was directed by Gerry Roy, who at one time owned his own theatre in Montreal and has acted and directed professionally and took on the role of the nervous french master of ceremony, Jeal-Paul Truffaut. The production also featured the wonderful acting/singing talents of Claritza Basabe-Corvaia.
"Murder Me Always" once again made the rounds this year,(which was my first penned and most popular comedy murder mystery) - it kicked off March of 2012 by the Thunderbolt Players, a troupe of student actors at Evansville’s New Tech Institute.
In July of 2012 - "Murder Me Always" was given the Bollywood treatment by director Mala Pasha and her group Torn Curtains. It was showcased in several location in and around Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Director Mala Pasha is one of the founding members of the Torn Curtains over in India, and Torn Curtains one of the oldest English speaking theatre groups in Hyperabad.
"Murder Me Always" also made a trip up to Canada in November to Carlton Place Ontario and was presented by the Mississippi MUDDS in the Town Hall of Carlton Place in partnership with Ballygiblin's restaurant.
Saltshaker Theatre took "Murder Me Always" on a tour in October to various restaurants around Carmel and Salinas California giving dinners some laughs and mystery along with their entrees.
Speaking of dinner and murder,
Marin Murder Mysteries hosted the comedy "Remains To Be Seen" in the Spring of 2012 at San Rafael Joe's over a 5 course dinner. The production was directed by Adrianne Goff who also appeared as the lovely and talentless character "Edie Buffet".
"Remains To Be Seen" also made another stop in California, in November at River Valley High School Drama in Yuba City.
Closer to home, (my home I should say, well.. O.K. about 2 hours away) down into the magnificent Ozark mountain region of southern Missouri to Camdenton High School for a production of "I'm Getting Murdered In The Morning" in March. I had a chance to visit the school and the production. It's always a treat for me to see the production and meet the actors, of course, it's not always a treat for the actors to know I am in the audience. If they don't all ready have performance jitters, knowing the playwright is in the crowd can send some over the edge.
"Getting Murdered In The Morning" was also produced by Rural Area Theater in Madison, Florida in June. I did not give the actors a double case of nerves by visiting this production, so I made up for it when my home town of Wentzville Missouri staged a production of "Some Show (about a murder") in November, and yes I did go to this one. I'm not so certain I caused the actors much grief, if I did, they exacted revenge by seating me at a table 1 foot from the stage. They also announced to the public who I was and where I was sitting. If they didn't enjoy the play, well, here was the person responsible for writing it.
"Death Of A Doornail", another one of my popular scripts also made the rounds. In October and November it appeared in Dalton Georgia by Dalton Little Theatre.
And earlier in August, "Death of a Doornail" made an appearance at Murdoch Theatre Company in Perth, Western Australia.
Playwright Toby Otero who came on board play-dead this year had his script The Science Of Murder produced in November and December by Mission: Improv in East Wenatchee, Washington as well as a premier in hometown of West Monroe, Louisiana. His new play called "MURD-ARRR!!!" - a pirate play will be here in 2013!
Again this was just a handful of productions, there were many many more productions all over the place. It's incredible to look back and see where all these plays have played. Pieces of my imagination, put down on paper and then go out into the world to be given life by talented actors all over the world. I am grateful to all of them.
For the new year I am developing a new murder mystery set in the 1890's, a western themed comedy called "Murder In Meridosa", that will take the stage in March. Where will it end up in the coming year? Here's to all your imaginations, works, words,music,visions,crafts and stories. May they travel far for you.
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Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
'Remains to be Seen' at River Valley High In Yuba City, CA
River Valley High School Drama presents "Remains to be Seen," written by Lee Mueller and directed by Dave Harris, Friday through Sunday at the River Valley High School multipurpose room.
The interactive comedic murder-mystery show includes dessert for the audience, which will be served during intermission.
"We decided to do a dessert show for our winter play this year because it was something new, and also have an interactive type of show where the audience actually can interact with the characters. It's something we've never done before, so we thought that would be a fun thing to do," Harris said.
At a certain point in the whodunit play, Harris said, "audience members are allowed to ask questions of the 'suspects' to help them guess who did it."
"The question-and-answer portion will definitely involve some improvisation because the actors don't know what questions they're going to get," Harris said, adding that these students are members of his advanced drama class. "So they've got to answer the questions as best they can in character."
Several of the beginning drama students will be the ones serving desserts to the tables, Harris said.
"'Remains to be Seen' starts off with a body being found in a steamer trunk left on a rental truck of a U-Haul type of truck rental company," Harris said. "As the investigators get called in, they trace where this trunk has been and who has been in contact with this truck to try to piece together exactly what happened."
Harris said the investigation moves from place to place as police Officers Goodman (Michael Ramirez) and Badham (Kiran Sahota) interview the wide range of characters who have recently been in contact with the rental truck, including a lackluster nightclub singer, Edie (Tiffany Calabrese), and her protégé, Nick (Andrew Tinajero); a washed-up actress, Madame DuBoys (Natasha Lauria), who has dreams of a big comeback, and her assistant, Noelle (Simran Mahil); seedy bar owners Iggy (Saidy Iraiqat) and Trixie (Raelynn Mortensen); and several truck rental company proprietors (Logan Brooks, Shawna Flack, Tyler Hight and Bill Williams).
FBI Agents Sullen (Alejandra Cervantes) and Muledeer (Geanum Sarki) also join in the investigation. The cast includes Journey Granados, Franklin Hart and Alex Samay.
"There are lots of pop cultural references throughout the show: TV, movies, music that get thrown in there and are fun things that the audience can pick up on," Harris said.
He added that although the play is contemporary, it isn't set in a particular time. "A lot of the things that are thrown into the script are from the last 40 years or so. We have props that encompass the last few decades, but the play is very nebulous for exactly when it is set because of the references that are made. Some of the props you will see are sort of older, such as a rotary-dial phone," Harris said.
"It will be a highly entertaining evening. You can come watch a funny play and high school students having fun on stage being some interesting characters — and as an extra bonus, it's going to come with a nice dessert. Come as you are," he said.
"The play is a lot of fun, and when the students first read it, they really liked it."
CONTACT Susan Benitez at [email protected] or 749-4773
Read more: http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/harris-121091-truck-remains.html#ixzz2CKrHF7Z7
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Murder Mystery Comedy in Dalton Georgia
“Death of a Doornail” will perform on the Dalton Little Theatre stage this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Performances will continue Oct. 26-27 and Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. There will be a Sunday matinee Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. For more information visit www.daltonlittletheatre.com
“Death of a Doornail,” a murder mystery/comedy written by Lee Mueller, will be presented on the stage at the Dalton Little Theatre beginning this weekend.
Susan Ridley directs this whodunit with a zany cast of characters and describes the play as her “notion of film noir meets the Carol Burnette Show.”
“It’s high comedy,” says Ridley, “and audience members will have an opportunity to join in questioning the cast in Act II. Further, they get to vote on their choice of the murderer and one of those ballots will be chosen for a prize at each show.”
“It’s a success if it makes you laugh, cry and think ... This show might make you cry from laughing so much — it’s pure entertainment, although you will ‘think’ if you try to solve the mystery as the plot unfolds.” She adds, “At the show’s end I hope our audiences have been entertained and have left the real world behind for a couple of hours — we all need an escape to laughter!”
“Death of a Doornail,” a murder mystery/comedy written by Lee Mueller, will be presented on the stage at the Dalton Little Theatre beginning this weekend.
Susan Ridley directs this whodunit with a zany cast of characters and describes the play as her “notion of film noir meets the Carol Burnette Show.”
“It’s high comedy,” says Ridley, “and audience members will have an opportunity to join in questioning the cast in Act II. Further, they get to vote on their choice of the murderer and one of those ballots will be chosen for a prize at each show.”
“It’s a success if it makes you laugh, cry and think ... This show might make you cry from laughing so much — it’s pure entertainment, although you will ‘think’ if you try to solve the mystery as the plot unfolds.” She adds, “At the show’s end I hope our audiences have been entertained and have left the real world behind for a couple of hours — we all need an escape to laughter!”
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Upcoming Productions -"Murder Me Always" in Carmel and Salinas
Saltshaker Theater has announced it will perform its newest comedy/mystery dinner theater production, "Murder Me Always,” at various venues in Salinas and Carmel California, starting Saturday.
Written by comedian/actor Lee Mueller and directed by Ken Cusson, “Murder Me Always” features a handful of potential culprits (and local actors) in a unique, humorous play-within-a-play format. Make reservations to attend by calling each venue. Reservations are required.
Here is the schedule:
• Sunday: All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel-By-The-Sea. Reservations: 831-384-6323.
• Oct. 24: Gino’s Italian Restaurant, Salinas. Reservations: 831-422-1814.
• Oct. 25 and 26: The Penny Farthing Tavern, Salinas. Reservations: 831-422-5652.
• Oct. 29: Element Tasting Bar & Bistro, Salinas. Reservations: 831- 998-7045.
• Oct. 30: The Grower’s Pub Steakhouse, Salinas. Reservations: 831-754-1488.
• Nov. 1: Rotary Club of Carmel Valley, at Rancho Cañada, Carmel Valley. Reservations: Ryan McCormick (Rotary), 831-233-2628.
• Sunday: All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel-By-The-Sea. Reservations: 831-384-6323.
• Oct. 24: Gino’s Italian Restaurant, Salinas. Reservations: 831-422-1814.
• Oct. 25 and 26: The Penny Farthing Tavern, Salinas. Reservations: 831-422-5652.
• Oct. 29: Element Tasting Bar & Bistro, Salinas. Reservations: 831- 998-7045.
• Oct. 30: The Grower’s Pub Steakhouse, Salinas. Reservations: 831-754-1488.
• Nov. 1: Rotary Club of Carmel Valley, at Rancho Cañada, Carmel Valley. Reservations: Ryan McCormick (Rotary), 831-233-2628.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Play-dead Comedy Mysteries playing way up North and way down south
Up North
Just west of Ottawa Ontario (up North in Canada) is Carlton Place. And in Carlton place dwells the wonderful Mississippi Mudds or (M.U.D.D.S) which breaks down as MUsic Dance and Drama on Stage. The Mudds are a community theatre group in Carlton Place since 1974.
I am honored to have the M.U.D.D.S. perform another one of my plays, Murder Me Always. It will unfold it's mystery comedy stylings in the Town Hall of Carlton Place in partnership with Ballygiblin's restaurant on Nov. 2 and 3. Here is their Link
Down South
At the Hotel Magnolia, Casco Viejo, Panama city, Panama a theatre troupe will be performing my newest work Last Call At Chez Mort - a 1940's style screwball murder mystery. It will be performed in English. (Although I would be curious to hear it done in Spanish. Comprende?)
The show will be directed by Gerry Roy, who at one time owned his own theatre in Montreal and has acted and directed professionally The producer is Lourdes Quijada.Each of the three evening performances, running from September 17-19 will offer a different menu.
Just west of Ottawa Ontario (up North in Canada) is Carlton Place. And in Carlton place dwells the wonderful Mississippi Mudds or (M.U.D.D.S) which breaks down as MUsic Dance and Drama on Stage. The Mudds are a community theatre group in Carlton Place since 1974.
I am honored to have the M.U.D.D.S. perform another one of my plays, Murder Me Always. It will unfold it's mystery comedy stylings in the Town Hall of Carlton Place in partnership with Ballygiblin's restaurant on Nov. 2 and 3. Here is their Link
Down South
At the Hotel Magnolia, Casco Viejo, Panama city, Panama a theatre troupe will be performing my newest work Last Call At Chez Mort - a 1940's style screwball murder mystery. It will be performed in English. (Although I would be curious to hear it done in Spanish. Comprende?)
The show will be directed by Gerry Roy, who at one time owned his own theatre in Montreal and has acted and directed professionally The producer is Lourdes Quijada.Each of the three evening performances, running from September 17-19 will offer a different menu.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Murder Mystery Play - What is that?
As precise as we all try to be about what we do and the services/products we provide, it can still be a bit fuzzy to some people. It's not our fault and it's not their fault. Take for example, Murder Mystery Plays which I feature over on Play-Dead.com, now in my mind it's pretty clear that these are "plays" that happen to be "Murder Mysteries", simple right?
Well, actually... no. Not so much.
Why? Well, you see there are other branches of "Murder Mystery" that blur the whole tree, or perhaps the whole forest.
In the Murder Mystery Forest, many of the trees are so-called Mansion Murder Mysteries or Murder Mysstery events. What are those?
Murder Mysteries Events - are predominantly Murder Mystery Dinner theatre performed in a specific location such as an old Mansion or historic building that doubles a a restaurant or bed and breakfast. Example: in St. Louis we have the Lemp Mansion which is a historic residence from the late 1800's. A good friend of mine Randy Manning provides Murder Mystery "Entertainment Events" at the mansion.
Randy's "Murder Mysteries Events" are largely audience participation. They may consist of 2 or 3 actors who interact with the dinners following a basic script or outline.
In some these dinner mysteries events, the audience is drafted into the story. They are assigned roles to to perform and become part of the entertainment. Everyone is essentially involved in propelling the mystery along. In some cases, the actors only have minimal control of the event itself.
Also in the Murder Mystery forest are branches which we call "Murder Mystery Party Games".
Murder mystery Party Games are just as the name implies; "games" you play at a party. Imagine the board game "Clue" on a larger scale. Acted out by the guests. Games also come in various sizes and shapes.
My friend Leigh Clements runs Shot In The Dark Mysteries which is a "mingle" type of party game where you walk around and question other people.
My pal Mo Holkar runs Free Form games which provides each guest with a character description, goals and contacts for a particular themed murder mystery. In both cases there are no actors or scripts involved in games.
And finally, on my side of the forest, I provide plays. You know.... plays. Murder mystery plays.
The fallback example I often use is - imagine "Death of a Salesman", now imagine that it is a murder mystery. You would go to see this play at a theatre. Actors would come on stage and act. They have lines to say and action to carry out. There are lights and scenery because it's you know... a play.
As you enter the theatre, you are not handed a script and told "Here, you will be Willy Loman. And you are Biff. Now get up on that stage and move us to tears."
A play is not a party game. You would not go see a production of "The Music Man" and expect them to hand out trombones as party treats and expect you to blow a high C every time someone says the secret word.
Murder Mystery plays are controlled by the actors, not by the audience. In my case, I do have segments where the audience is allowed to participate, such as questioning the actors and some instances, the actors interact with the audience. But since it is, for intents and purposes, a "play", it has a structure that is determined by the script.
I realize I will still have inquiries wanting to know if my script would be appropriate for a birthday party or Tupperware social, but hopefully this will clear up a bit of the forest and allow some to actually see the trees. Or in the case, the branches.
Well, actually... no. Not so much.
Why? Well, you see there are other branches of "Murder Mystery" that blur the whole tree, or perhaps the whole forest.
In the Murder Mystery Forest, many of the trees are so-called Mansion Murder Mysteries or Murder Mysstery events. What are those?
Murder Mysteries Events - are predominantly Murder Mystery Dinner theatre performed in a specific location such as an old Mansion or historic building that doubles a a restaurant or bed and breakfast. Example: in St. Louis we have the Lemp Mansion which is a historic residence from the late 1800's. A good friend of mine Randy Manning provides Murder Mystery "Entertainment Events" at the mansion.
Randy's "Murder Mysteries Events" are largely audience participation. They may consist of 2 or 3 actors who interact with the dinners following a basic script or outline.
In some these dinner mysteries events, the audience is drafted into the story. They are assigned roles to to perform and become part of the entertainment. Everyone is essentially involved in propelling the mystery along. In some cases, the actors only have minimal control of the event itself.
Also in the Murder Mystery forest are branches which we call "Murder Mystery Party Games".
Murder mystery Party Games are just as the name implies; "games" you play at a party. Imagine the board game "Clue" on a larger scale. Acted out by the guests. Games also come in various sizes and shapes.
My friend Leigh Clements runs Shot In The Dark Mysteries which is a "mingle" type of party game where you walk around and question other people.
My pal Mo Holkar runs Free Form games which provides each guest with a character description, goals and contacts for a particular themed murder mystery. In both cases there are no actors or scripts involved in games.
And finally, on my side of the forest, I provide plays. You know.... plays. Murder mystery plays.
The fallback example I often use is - imagine "Death of a Salesman", now imagine that it is a murder mystery. You would go to see this play at a theatre. Actors would come on stage and act. They have lines to say and action to carry out. There are lights and scenery because it's you know... a play.
As you enter the theatre, you are not handed a script and told "Here, you will be Willy Loman. And you are Biff. Now get up on that stage and move us to tears."
A play is not a party game. You would not go see a production of "The Music Man" and expect them to hand out trombones as party treats and expect you to blow a high C every time someone says the secret word.
Murder Mystery plays are controlled by the actors, not by the audience. In my case, I do have segments where the audience is allowed to participate, such as questioning the actors and some instances, the actors interact with the audience. But since it is, for intents and purposes, a "play", it has a structure that is determined by the script.
I realize I will still have inquiries wanting to know if my script would be appropriate for a birthday party or Tupperware social, but hopefully this will clear up a bit of the forest and allow some to actually see the trees. Or in the case, the branches.
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
The Mind Reels - Lee Mueller's Blog: Are Videos Killing The Story Teller?
From my other blog:
The Mind Reels - Lee Mueller's Blog: Are Videos Killing The Story Teller?: When I was young and impressionable, I was privileged to be surrounded by story tellers. Stories from my family, especially my Grandpa Leo....
The Mind Reels - Lee Mueller's Blog: Are Videos Killing The Story Teller?: When I was young and impressionable, I was privileged to be surrounded by story tellers. Stories from my family, especially my Grandpa Leo....
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Upcoming Play Dead Murder Mystery Productions
There are many places I have never traveled to but my words and ideas have. That being my plays. My plays have been produced around the world from Croydon UK, to Nagoya Japan, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Singapore, Tasmania Australia and now India.
The Torn Curtains theatre group was created on November 15th,1971 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. And some 41 years later, on July 14th they will perform one of my scripts, Murder Me Always.
It will be directed by Mala Pasha who is one of the founding members of the Torn Curtains - one of the oldest English speaking theatre groups in Hyperabad.
And now onto a place I have physically traveled (along with my words and ideas), and that place is Freedom, Wisconsin. A few years ago I ventured up to visit FACT players under the invitation of director Lindsay Cummings while they were in rehearsals for a great production of "Murder Me Always".
On July 26th and 27th they will present my most recent Murder Mystery (slight musical) comedy, Last Call At Chez Mort.
If you don't happen to be in the Wisconsin area, but instead dwell on the West Coast, then you are in luck! Why? Well, because Vacaville Gaslighters will also be performing "Last Call At Chez Mort" August 17th thru 19th and August 24th thru 26th in Vacaville, California.
No, I have not visited Vacaville, but in a sense, a piece of Vacaville has traveled to me.
Last year the Vacaville Gaslighters picked up numerous theatrical "Arty Awards" for their productions. 2 of the trophies were for their production of my script Death of a Doornail. They were kind enough to send me the award they won for "Best Original Production" in the comedy category.
It's awesome to think that sometimes you send your words and thoughts on paper out into the world and sometimes they will send you a souvenir.
Play Dead on Google+
The Torn Curtains theatre group was created on November 15th,1971 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. And some 41 years later, on July 14th they will perform one of my scripts, Murder Me Always.
It will be directed by Mala Pasha who is one of the founding members of the Torn Curtains - one of the oldest English speaking theatre groups in Hyperabad.
And now onto a place I have physically traveled (along with my words and ideas), and that place is Freedom, Wisconsin. A few years ago I ventured up to visit FACT players under the invitation of director Lindsay Cummings while they were in rehearsals for a great production of "Murder Me Always".
On July 26th and 27th they will present my most recent Murder Mystery (slight musical) comedy, Last Call At Chez Mort.
If you don't happen to be in the Wisconsin area, but instead dwell on the West Coast, then you are in luck! Why? Well, because Vacaville Gaslighters will also be performing "Last Call At Chez Mort" August 17th thru 19th and August 24th thru 26th in Vacaville, California.
No, I have not visited Vacaville, but in a sense, a piece of Vacaville has traveled to me.
Last year the Vacaville Gaslighters picked up numerous theatrical "Arty Awards" for their productions. 2 of the trophies were for their production of my script Death of a Doornail. They were kind enough to send me the award they won for "Best Original Production" in the comedy category.
It's awesome to think that sometimes you send your words and thoughts on paper out into the world and sometimes they will send you a souvenir.
Play Dead on Google+
Friday, June 22, 2012
New non mystery play "Home Room of Doom"
I have added a new one-act play under the category of "non-murder mystery" in my list of scripts. In addition to The Snow Day Monologues, I have just completed Home Room of Doom.
Both of these script are aimed at younger audiences and actors around the High school age. I wanted to contribute to the material available for young actors that hopefully is interesting and fun and provides ideas in which they can relate. I recall performing "childrens theatre" in High School and thinking to myself the whole time, "Really?"
With this new script, I cast my imagination back to those days sitting in what was called "Home Room" (which was a class where we sat for about 15 minutes while the teacher took attendance and read announcements) - and I remembered one particular year, some of the students referred to it as "Home Room of Doom". We were convinced the teacher was a zombie. After taking attendance and announcements, the teacher would promptly open his new copy of Reader's Digest and fall asleep. (We were certain he wasn't actually sleeping but returning to non-existent state.)
Another motivation for this play was the fact that as a kid I was a major fan of horror movies. In reality, I was not one to hide behind the couch during the scary bits, I never totally committed to overall "horror" or "shock". The monsters didn't really scare me. Once I saw the "Creature from the Black Lagoon" or "Dracula's" fangs, it was pretty much over for me. A guy in a rubber suit? Really?
What really freaked my little mind out back then was what I didn't see. The unknown factor is what sent me behind the couch.
When recalling what films frightened me as a child, I always pointed to "To Kill A Mockingbird". Yes, that's what I said. There was a scene where Scout is returning home at night with her brother Jem and she is dressed in big clunky costume, (a ham I seem to remember), and they are walking through the woods. Someone jumps out to attack them - but you can't really see who it is or what is happening. Your imagination has to fill in the unknown.
"Blair Witch Project" also was unsettling for me because again, your imagination has to fill the details of all you do not see. There is no actual "Witch" in bad make up or a costume or CGI to pop up. The details are off screen.
I use this 'unknown' factor to run rampant in "Home Room Of Doom". The school may be under an ancient curse that turning students into mindless drones or perhaps the Zombie Apocalypse is underway. Everything that is creepy or scary is actually happening out in the hallway, just outside of the door to the classroom.
What is out in hall? The unknown. The students can only guess and of course, the audiences imagination will fill in something better than I can create. Or can it? (insert evil laughter here)
Play Dead on Google+
Both of these script are aimed at younger audiences and actors around the High school age. I wanted to contribute to the material available for young actors that hopefully is interesting and fun and provides ideas in which they can relate. I recall performing "childrens theatre" in High School and thinking to myself the whole time, "Really?"
With this new script, I cast my imagination back to those days sitting in what was called "Home Room" (which was a class where we sat for about 15 minutes while the teacher took attendance and read announcements) - and I remembered one particular year, some of the students referred to it as "Home Room of Doom". We were convinced the teacher was a zombie. After taking attendance and announcements, the teacher would promptly open his new copy of Reader's Digest and fall asleep. (We were certain he wasn't actually sleeping but returning to non-existent state.)
Another motivation for this play was the fact that as a kid I was a major fan of horror movies. In reality, I was not one to hide behind the couch during the scary bits, I never totally committed to overall "horror" or "shock". The monsters didn't really scare me. Once I saw the "Creature from the Black Lagoon" or "Dracula's" fangs, it was pretty much over for me. A guy in a rubber suit? Really?
What really freaked my little mind out back then was what I didn't see. The unknown factor is what sent me behind the couch.
When recalling what films frightened me as a child, I always pointed to "To Kill A Mockingbird". Yes, that's what I said. There was a scene where Scout is returning home at night with her brother Jem and she is dressed in big clunky costume, (a ham I seem to remember), and they are walking through the woods. Someone jumps out to attack them - but you can't really see who it is or what is happening. Your imagination has to fill in the unknown.
"Blair Witch Project" also was unsettling for me because again, your imagination has to fill the details of all you do not see. There is no actual "Witch" in bad make up or a costume or CGI to pop up. The details are off screen.
I use this 'unknown' factor to run rampant in "Home Room Of Doom". The school may be under an ancient curse that turning students into mindless drones or perhaps the Zombie Apocalypse is underway. Everything that is creepy or scary is actually happening out in the hallway, just outside of the door to the classroom.
What is out in hall? The unknown. The students can only guess and of course, the audiences imagination will fill in something better than I can create. Or can it? (insert evil laughter here)
Play Dead on Google+
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Upcoming Play-dead Productions
Rural Area Theater has been transformed into a reception hall for this production of “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning.”
However, before the honeymoon can begin, and before Brenda can dance the night away, one audience member may just turn up dead on the dance floor. Laughs will ensue as the wedding party and other wedding guests need the audience’s assistance to figure out who “’dunnit.”
The show is June 21 through Sunday, June 24. Show times are 7:30 pm Thursday through Saturday and 3:00 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $15 and includes wedding refreshments during intermission. Located at 196 S. Range Avenue, Madison, Florida. For more information, visit www.rattpact.com or call 850-673-9585.
The show is June 21 through Sunday, June 24. Show times are 7:30 pm Thursday through Saturday and 3:00 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $15 and includes wedding refreshments during intermission. Located at 196 S. Range Avenue, Madison, Florida. For more information, visit www.rattpact.com or call 850-673-9585.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Playwrighting Process and the Product of Chicken McNuggets
There is line I heard many years ago, delivered by the character Chris Stevens on my favorite old Television show, "Northern Exposure" and it goes; "Art is the process, not the product". I'm not sure where this line originated - I did a bit of research to trace the quote to its origin but could not find the source. For all I know, it may have been imagined by a writer for the series - which segues nicely into the thoughts (or process) that follows.
Follow me
The argument would follow that a painter or sculptor is only creating "art" while in the "process" of painting or sculpting, and the finished result, the painting/sculpture, is nothing more than a "product". (just something that happened as a result of art, not art itself.)
However, for someone like myself who writes plays, the "process/product" argument is difficult to maintain. Yes, writers can fall under the category of "artists" - we use our imaginations to create something out of nothing - we use an artistic process to create a product however, in the case of a playwright, the process of art doesn't end with the product, which is "a play". Not by a long shot - the journey for a play is still to follow another process as the art continues.
Another Journey
Occasionally, I am invited to attend performances of my plays all over the country. Most recently, I journeyed about 2 hours from home into the magnificent Ozark mountain region of southern Missouri to Camdenton High School for a production of "I'm Getting Murdered In The Morning".
While it can be said, my process of writing is my art, in the case of a play, the "art" does not stop when I have finished writing. A "play" is essentially taken by other artists (actors) and reprocessed. (sort of like a Chicken McNugget) The characters I created in my mind and captured on paper were wonderfully realized and brought to life in a live setting. The lines were memorized and spoken before a room full of people. The actors of Camdenton High School took a story from my imagination and essentially reconstituted it with their own thoughts. Painters and sculptors could only dream of that process.
The world a playwright creates in his or her imagination; the setting, characters, dialogue, is given over to the imagination of the director and actors who will enact their own artistic process and create another product; the live performance. And in a sense, a live performance is a "process" and therefore, art.
Remember This
So, if art is the process not the product - what is the product of a playwright? Well, I could say, finally it's the audience who views the processes, and in the end - the product is just a memory. At least, that's what I imagine. I may have to process it a bit more.
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The argument would follow that a painter or sculptor is only creating "art" while in the "process" of painting or sculpting, and the finished result, the painting/sculpture, is nothing more than a "product". (just something that happened as a result of art, not art itself.)
However, for someone like myself who writes plays, the "process/product" argument is difficult to maintain. Yes, writers can fall under the category of "artists" - we use our imaginations to create something out of nothing - we use an artistic process to create a product however, in the case of a playwright, the process of art doesn't end with the product, which is "a play". Not by a long shot - the journey for a play is still to follow another process as the art continues.
Another Journey
Occasionally, I am invited to attend performances of my plays all over the country. Most recently, I journeyed about 2 hours from home into the magnificent Ozark mountain region of southern Missouri to Camdenton High School for a production of "I'm Getting Murdered In The Morning".
While it can be said, my process of writing is my art, in the case of a play, the "art" does not stop when I have finished writing. A "play" is essentially taken by other artists (actors) and reprocessed. (sort of like a Chicken McNugget) The characters I created in my mind and captured on paper were wonderfully realized and brought to life in a live setting. The lines were memorized and spoken before a room full of people. The actors of Camdenton High School took a story from my imagination and essentially reconstituted it with their own thoughts. Painters and sculptors could only dream of that process.
The world a playwright creates in his or her imagination; the setting, characters, dialogue, is given over to the imagination of the director and actors who will enact their own artistic process and create another product; the live performance. And in a sense, a live performance is a "process" and therefore, art.
Remember This
So, if art is the process not the product - what is the product of a playwright? Well, I could say, finally it's the audience who views the processes, and in the end - the product is just a memory. At least, that's what I imagine. I may have to process it a bit more.
Play Dead on Google+
Friday, March 02, 2012
2 New Plays Are Available
I just finished directing my new script Last Call At The Chez Mort for my local theatre group. Essentially, it's set in the 1940's at a Jazz Night Club or supper club or both. I've always wanted to do a period piece set during this Swing Era. I've watched enough old movies to have that clipped style dialogue and lingo running around my head.
The play actually evolved from a 15 minute piece I wrote for a group in Singapore. They wanted a short murder mystery set in a night club Shanghai in the 30's or 40's with Jazz music and gangsters, so I dove into a bit of research and found some interesting facts. The nightclubs of Shanghai were populated with all sorts of characters from all over Europe - British, French, German, Russian, Americans, a virtual cross cultural collection of people. I had a chance to create some great characters, albeit, limited to a 15 minute story.
When Affton CenterStage requested a "new" murder mystery, I saw a great opportunity to expand the piece into a full length play. I kept the European flair with the French Master of Ceremonies and the Russian hoodlum, but I "Americanized" a few other characters so the "Jazz Nightclub" setting would work here.
Also this was my first time incorporating "music" into a play. (though it's not a musical per-se)
Since the setting was a Jazz night club, I felt there needed to be some songs and they should be performed live. I found a gifted actress with a great singing voice and a piano player to complete this feat. I must admit it added a whole new dimension to the play.
After a successful two week run, I was able to restructure some plot points based on audience reaction and rework any "bits" that didn't work.
Other New Play -Guest Artist
From time to time I hear from other playwrights who would like me to check out a script to offer feedback. I've done so on many occasions.
A few months ago, I helped out a fellow "writer/actor" named Toby Otero who hosts a morning radio show down in Louisiana. He was part a theatre group that produced one of my plays and through the wonders of social media we stayed in touch.
A few months ago, Toby tried his hand at writing his own Murder mystery and sent it to me for pointers. It was a wonderful campy tale of a mad scientist who conducts an experiment on a couple - virtually, swapping their personalities but of course, not everything goes as planned. Especially a major power outage. Couple the situation with other assorted odd-ball characters and you have a great blend of Sci-Fi and murder mystery.
The play was called The Science Of Murder - well long story short, I offered Toby a spot on my website Play-dead to list his script. Please check it out!
Play Dead on Google+
Other New Play -Guest Artist
From time to time I hear from other playwrights who would like me to check out a script to offer feedback. I've done so on many occasions.
A few months ago, I helped out a fellow "writer/actor" named Toby Otero who hosts a morning radio show down in Louisiana. He was part a theatre group that produced one of my plays and through the wonders of social media we stayed in touch.
A few months ago, Toby tried his hand at writing his own Murder mystery and sent it to me for pointers. It was a wonderful campy tale of a mad scientist who conducts an experiment on a couple - virtually, swapping their personalities but of course, not everything goes as planned. Especially a major power outage. Couple the situation with other assorted odd-ball characters and you have a great blend of Sci-Fi and murder mystery.
The play was called The Science Of Murder - well long story short, I offered Toby a spot on my website Play-dead to list his script. Please check it out!
Play Dead on Google+
Friday, February 24, 2012
Upcoming Productions (people playing dead)
For the Midwest (Indiana)
The Thunderbolt Players, a troupe of student actors at Evansville’s New Tech Institute, will serve food, comedy and suspense in “Murder Me Always,” a murder mystery playing March 2 and 3.
They’ll throw in a silent auction, as well, in performances staged to raise money for equipment, materials and activities at the project-based high school housed in the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center, 1901 Lynch Road.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., March 2, for the dinner theater event. And the hall will open at 2 p.m., March 3, for the high tea show. Tickets are $12.50, available at the New Tech Institute School office, by email at ntiplayers@yahoo.com, or by calling 812-303-1658. he deadline for reservations is Monday, Feb. 27.
West Coast
Marin Murder Mysteries Presents 'REMAINS TO BE SEEN' written by Lee Mueller and directed by Adrianne Goff. Enjoy a delicious five-course dinner while helping solve a gripping murder! San Rafael Joe's exposed brick back room, evocative of the 1950s, lends itself perfectly to this murder mystery. "Remains to be Seen" begins with a "Rod Sterling" type character introducing deadly details of a murder mystery about a dead body discovered in a steamer trunk. A talented troupe (evoking famous characters from stage and screen) collaborates with the audience to unravel the clues to determine the motive and reveal those responsible. Show includes sets, props, costumes, surprises and special effects, plus fun game prizes for astute audience detectives.
And The World Premier
Affton CenterStage (my home troupe) is presenting the first ever staging of my new play "Last Call At Chez Mort" Feb 24th and 25th.
Set in the 1940's at European style Supper Club "Chez Mort". It recounts the tale of an unusual crime in the Swing Era time.
As newspapers of the day reported: "Ingenue 'Sweet Sue' Blutowsky was mysteriously and fatally cut short during her debut singing performance. What it an accident? Or something a bit more sinister?
Inspector Eddie Constantine, a crusty old detective was quick on the scene to investigate the strange circumstances surrounding the shocking events.
In attendance that night was the infamous hoodlum Big Suit Stu and his foreign henchman. But was the gangster the culprit? Or maybe one of the other mugs, such as gentle French Master of Ceremonies Jean-Paul Truffaut or hard boiled, street wise Stage Manager Mack?
Or would the plot twist and turn until our good Inspector doesn't know which way to turn? Well, probably. I mean, I wrote it!
The Thunderbolt Players, a troupe of student actors at Evansville’s New Tech Institute, will serve food, comedy and suspense in “Murder Me Always,” a murder mystery playing March 2 and 3.
They’ll throw in a silent auction, as well, in performances staged to raise money for equipment, materials and activities at the project-based high school housed in the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center, 1901 Lynch Road.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., March 2, for the dinner theater event. And the hall will open at 2 p.m., March 3, for the high tea show. Tickets are $12.50, available at the New Tech Institute School office, by email at ntiplayers@yahoo.com, or by calling 812-303-1658. he deadline for reservations is Monday, Feb. 27.
West Coast
Marin Murder Mysteries Presents 'REMAINS TO BE SEEN' written by Lee Mueller and directed by Adrianne Goff. Enjoy a delicious five-course dinner while helping solve a gripping murder! San Rafael Joe's exposed brick back room, evocative of the 1950s, lends itself perfectly to this murder mystery. "Remains to be Seen" begins with a "Rod Sterling" type character introducing deadly details of a murder mystery about a dead body discovered in a steamer trunk. A talented troupe (evoking famous characters from stage and screen) collaborates with the audience to unravel the clues to determine the motive and reveal those responsible. Show includes sets, props, costumes, surprises and special effects, plus fun game prizes for astute audience detectives.
And The World Premier
Affton CenterStage (my home troupe) is presenting the first ever staging of my new play "Last Call At Chez Mort" Feb 24th and 25th.
Set in the 1940's at European style Supper Club "Chez Mort". It recounts the tale of an unusual crime in the Swing Era time.
As newspapers of the day reported: "Ingenue 'Sweet Sue' Blutowsky was mysteriously and fatally cut short during her debut singing performance. What it an accident? Or something a bit more sinister?
Inspector Eddie Constantine, a crusty old detective was quick on the scene to investigate the strange circumstances surrounding the shocking events.
In attendance that night was the infamous hoodlum Big Suit Stu and his foreign henchman. But was the gangster the culprit? Or maybe one of the other mugs, such as gentle French Master of Ceremonies Jean-Paul Truffaut or hard boiled, street wise Stage Manager Mack?
Or would the plot twist and turn until our good Inspector doesn't know which way to turn? Well, probably. I mean, I wrote it!
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