Written to be performed by 6-7 actors in conjunction with a 3 or 4 course meal. All shows are approximately 2 1/2 hours in length, including the dinner.

Who Killed the King?

7 Characters, 3 Women – 4 Men

Characters include: the prince, his wife, Queen Mother, court jester, serving wench, a monk, an evil knight, and the executioner.

A medieval murder mystery.

Welcome one and all to the coronation of King Ronald, Lord of the Ville. You will be joined at tonight’s long awaited ceremony by the most prestigious of our kingdom’s court. Prince Ronald, our King In Waiting, will be escorted by his lovely wife, the Princess, and Her Majesty, the Queen, shall be accompanied by none other than the Royal Tax Collector. And a full program of diversions have been rehearsed by Morrie, the Court Jester. So Lords and Ladies of the court, wash down your fowl with some ale… but be forewarned!…there’s a cold wind blowing in the Ville tonight and not all will be saying “Long live the King!”

All This Talk is Killing Me!

7 Characters, 2 or 3 Women – 4 or 5 Men
(one female role can be played by a man or a woman)

Characters include: talk show host, producer, cameraman, Elvis-like” janitor, barber, chef, and an old lady contest winner.

A talk show murder mystery.

Join talk show host, Gabby Esperanto’s studio audience and sample master chef, Julienne Kidd’s famous culinary dishes! You’ll also meet Joe, the barber and get the latest tips on hair grooming. There’s even Leroy, the station janitor (who bears a striking resemblance to Elvis) who’ll belt out a tune for you! But Gabby’s ratings are slipping and she’s mysteriously murdered by… well, that’s for you to figure out!

Marriage Can Be Murder!

8 Characters, 3 Women – 4 Men
(two female roles played by one woman)

Characters include: bride & groom, wedding chapel coordinator, mother of groom, father of bride, ring bearer, maid of honor, and mother’s minister twin sister.

A murder mystery that takes place at a wedding & reception.

You’ve been invited to Lisa and Michael’s wedding and reception, and you may find yourselves doing the Hokey Pokey or becoming a member of the wedding party. Wedded bliss is not the only thing that is short-lived as the nuptials turn noxious and someone bumps off the mother-in-law. You’ll laugh till you cry figuring out whodunit in this silly trip down the isle.

Death By Disco!

8 Characters, 3 Women – 4 Men
(two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: disco champion and his girlfriend, dance champion sister/rival and her boyfriend, disc jockey, Latina dance queen/fireball, and a ’70’s style nerd.

A 1970’s disco dance contest spoof.

Welcome to The Land of Oz Discoteria, and the World Championship King and Queen of Disco Dance Contest! What a night this should be. Our finalists will be bumping to that disco beat, each and everyone of them hoping to be crowned the new monarch of the light fantastic. Our DJ, The Boogie Man, is going to be spinning some killer tunes, so put on your polyester, and your platform shoes, ’cause one of our contestants will Cha-Cha right into the chain gang as murder erupts in this ’70’s disco mystery!

Murdered By the Mob

8 Characters, 3 Women – 4 Men
(two male roles are played by one man)

Characters include: mob boss, two hit men/thugs, speakeasy M.C., 3 chorus girls/gangster molls, and a “Keystone-type” cop.

A roaring ’20’s gangster murder mystery.

Welcome to D’Angelo’s, the hottest speakeasy in all of Chicago. If you think the ’20’s are roaring, you ain’t heard nothin’ ’til you’ve been to this joint. The jazz is hot and the gin is cold. Our master of ceremonies, Johnny Biscotti has his best show yet, featuring the ever popular Lydia LaJoy, and introducing a couple of cute chorines sure to turn the head of even the toughest mobster. The boss himself, Danny D’Angelo is sure to make an appearance, along with several of his, uh, “business associates.” So sit back, order yourself an “ice tea,” and enjoy the show. But be careful, and watch your back…this gangster murder mystery will have you “swimming with the fishes!”

Murder at the Class Reunion

7 Characters, 1 or 2 Women, 4 or 5 Men
(female role can be played by a man or woman, two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: class president and his ex-cheerleader wife, old hippie-type guy, nerd, ex-quarterback, cafeteria lady, and a security guard.

A 30th high school reunion murder mystery.

Welcome back, George Bernard Shaw High School Class of 1967! Thirty years! Good God Almighty, who can believe it? Some of your classmates will look older than the hills, and some won’t seem to have aged a day. But you know the old saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Will they really stay the same? High School was a time of young love and broken hearts. Every case of puppy love was a case of do or die! Do or die?..you’ll be voting on “most likely to get 20 years to life” in this homicidally hilarious mystery!

Die Claudius!

8 Characters, 2 or 3 Women – 4 or 5 Men
(female role can be played by a man or woman, two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: emperor and his wife, exotic dancer, eunuch/servant, mother-in-law, statesman, centurion, and an old soothsayer.

A murder mystery set in ancient Rome.

A murderous thing happened on the way to the forum. They’re throwing lawyers to the lions and the crowds love it! Unfortunately, Caesar isn’t as popular, and it’s up to you to figure out who bumped him off. Put on your best bed sheets ’cause ancient Rome is never going to look the same after you see this titillating toga mystery.

Here’s Killing You, Kid

7 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: a private detective, a bartender, a femme fetale/rich heiress, waitress, club owner, reporter, and a police detective.

A 1940’s detective film spoof.

Move over Sam Spade, Mike Hammer & Phillip Marlowe, there’s a new sleuth in town. He’s got a case to solve and despite the Surgeon General’s warning, it’s going to take a lot of cigarettes and whiskey to tough it out. When you see this film noir spoof you’re sure to say, “Play it again!”

Murder Rides Again!

7 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(one male & one female role played by one man)

Characters include: the marshal and his deputy, a saloon girl, a gambler, a schoolmarm, a gunfighter and his sister.

A Wild West murder mystery.

You, the townsfolk of Groaners Gulch, Nevada have gathered once more for the annual chili cook-off. What a shindig! You may even compete in the “Cowboy of the Year Contest,” but wait just a dog gone minute…there’s a showdown at the I’m O.K. You’re O.K. Corral. The sun is hot and the trigger fingers are itchy. Will the sheriff save the town from outlaws or vice versa? Become a patron of Miss Liddy’s saloon and participate in solving this wacky Wild West excuse for a murder mystery!

Death By Doo-Wop

7 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: T.V. producer and his assistant, clean-cut teenage couple, sleazy teenage girl, dance show host, and kiddie cartoon show host

A 1950’s T.V. dance show murder mystery.

Hop your socks off and roll over Beethoven, the new T.V. hit dance show “National Bandstand” is taking the country by storm. But there’s a lot more than shakin’ goin’ on when the dancers start to bop ’til they drop (dead, that is) in this fabulous ’50’s whodunit!

Game Show Murders

8 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(three male roles played by one man)

Characters include: game show host, announcer, prize girl, plumber/contestant, housewife/contestant, coroner/contestant, choreographer/contestant, and a bum.

An uproarious game show mystery.

Game Show Mania is sweeping the country and the hottest show on the air is “The Wheel of Money.” Contestants from all over the country are converging on our studio hoping they might win a trip to the Bahamas or a brand new car! But the competition becomes more fierce than anyone anticipates, and you never know what evil may be lurking behind “Door #3,” in this uproarious game show mystery.

Wake Me When I’m Dead

7 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: deceased Irishman, his brother, his pub buddy, his long lost cousin, a priest, and 2 village women.

A hilarious Irish wake murder mystery.

The entire O’Malley family has gathered for Uncle Sean’s wake. Shocked as they are by the old boy’s sudden and unexpected departure, they’re determined to give him a send off as only an Irish family can. But there’s a mumbling within the clan that the death might not have been an accident. Rumors are flying about changes in the will, and Sean’s outrageous claims about the end of the rainbow. So break out the Guinness, put on your best green, and join us for Mystery Dinner Playhouse’s hilarious production, “Wake Me When I’m Dead.”

Murder, Las Vegas Style

7 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: a cheesy lounge lizard, a comedian, a famous male singer, a famous female singer, a showgirl, a ventriloquist, and a busboy.

A killer casino murder mystery.

The lights on “The Strip” have never been brighter! The whole city of Las Vegas is buzzing about the Entertainer of the Year Contest. Every lounge lizard in town is entered, and the competition will be fierce, because the grand prize is a lifetime booking at the biggest joint in town, The Fantasyland Casino! There isn’t an Elvis imitator or Wayne Newton wannabe around that wouldn’t kill for the chance to work that room. And we do mean KILL, in Mystery Dinner Playhouse’s outrageously funny mystery, “Murder, Las Vegas Style.”

And The Killer Is…

7 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: a film critic, male soap opera star, a starlet wannabe, a brassy older actress and her husband, a wannabe actor, and a cop.

An audaciously funny awards show murder mystery.

It’s springtime, and the smell of award shows is in the air. The Oscars – The Grammy’s – The Emmy’s. But perhaps the most anticipated awards show of the all is the one produced by the Bit-players and Extras Academy. The Bit-players and Extras Academy Targets Movie Excellence Awards; The BEAT ME Awards! Those actors who must make their mark in a few brief seconds on the screen without the benefit of dialogue…those actors who weren’t quite good enough to be given any lines, but they want an award anyway. This year’s show is going to be hosted by the renowned film critic Justin “The Hatchet Man” Reeves (let’s hope he’s nicer to the winners than he is in his reviews.) We’d tell you the nominees, but you wouldn’t recognize any of their names, so why bother. But they all will tell you that winning is not important. Just being nominated is honor enough – yeah, right! These clowns would practically kill to have their names on the card in that envelope. So join us as we all find out who the winners is, in this audaciously funny awards show mystery, “And The Killer Is…”

Murder At The Family Reunion

7 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: Rich uncle, his girlfriend, a niece and her idiot twins, a nephew and his daughter, and a plastic surgeon.

A murderously funny family get-together.

The Hooper family reunions are never a dull event. How could they be? Everyone hates each other. In fact, the only reason the family gets together at all is because Uncle Louie likes them. Despite all the family backstabbing and infighting, everyone likes to please rich Uncle Louie. Once a year, the Hoopers try to bury the hatchet in the hopes of gaining a little favor in Uncle Louie’s last will and testament. But this year, they may want to bury the hatchet in Uncle Louie when he shows up with his new friend, Daisy, in this ferociously funny festival of dysfunctional fun!

The Spy Who Killed Me

7 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: a spy, spy chief, evil genius, an assassin, femme fetale, tour operator, and a waiter.

An exquisite espionage murder mystery.

The cold war may have melted, but in the espionage underworld, there’s still a chill in the air. Unemployed, but still undercover, our aging secret agents battle to save the world in this hilarious spy spoof!

Murder Ahoy!

7 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: Pirate king, pirate queen, governor, kidnapped daughter of governor, gay pirate, and two pirate crew members.

A swashbuckling pirate murder mystery.

Ahoy there me matey! Lock up your wives and daughters, and hide your able-bodied sons! Captain Red beard the pirate has been spotted sailing these waters, and no one is safe while he’s around. He’ll kidnap your women for ransom, and Shanghai your men when he needs a crew. But the scuttlebutt has it that there’s talk of mutiny among the crew. The old Captain might want to have that parrot on his shoulder watch his back, or there’ll be more than 16 men on that deadman’s chest in this boisterous buccaneer mystery!

Who Killed The Rock Star?

7 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(two male roles played by one man, two female roles played by one woman)

Characters include: Male and female DJs, Guitarist, Bassist, Drummer, Keyboard Player, Mother of musician.

A raucous rock concert murder mystery.

Are you ready to ROCK AND ROLL? We hope so, because we have a musical treat for you. Remember Cold Stone? Sure you do. Well maybe not. But believe us, Cold Stone was one of THE hot bands in that psychedelic world we called the 60’s. And you are one of the privileged few to be invited backstage at their reunion concert. DJs Justin Thyme and Midnight Mona will be hosting the event, and it should be awesome. Guitarist Little Philly Schwartz will be playing some smokin’ leads, and hopefully, keyboard Player Lance Freeze will be making the scene. Philly and Lance haven’t seen each other since the band broke up in “67. It was an ugly scene back then, and hopefully the boys won’t be holding any grudges. Boom Boom and Richie on drums and bass, laying down some seriously dangerous rock and roll. So join us for a killer of a concert in “Who Killed the Rock Star?”

Murder in the Court

11 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men
(three male roles played by one man, three female roles played by one woman, two male roles played by one man)

Characters include: Judge, bailiff, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, flamboyant male defendant, housewife plaintiff, trailer trash couple, a hooker, a bum, and a cop.

A hilarious courtroom mystery.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! All rise for the honorable Judge Horton. Hanging Judge Horton, as he is not so affectionately called, is the most feared Judge in town. He can find a man guilty and have him in jail quicker than most judges can bang a gavel. To make matters worse, the mayor has fired every judge in town except him. Nothing, like saving a few tax dollars in an election year. Too bad, because there are some around here who think Judge Horton is a little nuts. Legend has it that Judge Horton once gave a guy “The Chair” for excessive parking tickets. But nuts or not, he’s the only judge in town. And it’s got folks a bit nervous. Prosecutors, defense attorneys, none of them want to take their chances with the hanging judge. Not to mention the sorry souls who throw themselves at his mercy. Yep, about the only one who gets along with old Judge Horton, is the bailiff, Rupert. But, come to think about it, Rupert just may be a little bit nuts himself. So sit back, relax, and hope you don’t get called for jury duty. And enjoy a little “Murder in the Court.”

A Prom To Die For!

7 Characters, 4 Women – 3 Men (2 female characters played by one actress)

Characters include: Shop teacher, janitor, guidance counselor, 2 prom queen candidates, goofy male date, mother of prom queen candidate.

A scintillating school dance murder mystery

The Prom Queen competition has really heated up! The favorite, Tiffany Bagliano, has suddenly found herself with some stiff competition, in the form of one Miss Alexis Robinson. Competition not only for the crown but for her boyfriend, Caleb too. Faculty chaperones, Miss Noftslinger and Mr. Bardelucci will do their best to keep things on a friendly basis, But hey, we’re talking prom queen here! As Miss Noftslinger will tell you, it’s an honor a girl remembers all her life, no matter how long (or short) that life may be. The evening could bring us many surprises, but, rest assured, it will be A Prom To Die For!

Death Takes A Vacation

7 Characters, 3 Women – 4 Men (2 male characters played by one actor)

Characters include: Timeshare sales manager, 2 sales staff, young newlywed couple, old lady, old lady’s husband.

A raucous resort murder mystery.

A free vacation! For three days!! At the new Sandy Beach Ocean Resort!!! And all you have to do is attend one short sales presentation? Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of that opportunity? The resort staff is determined to sell you on the ultimate rest and relaxation. You’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven. Actually that may be closer to the truth than you realize in this viciously funny vacation mystery.

Frankly Scarlett, You’re Dead!

7 Characters, 2 Women – 5 Men (2 male characters played by one actor)

Characters include: Confederate Colonel, his brother, his two lovely daughters, two local suitors, and a riverboat gambler

An amusing antebellum murder mystery.

Welcome to Sassafras, the ancestral plantation home of the Simpson family. Colonel Simpson has asked you here tonight to celebrate the upcoming marriages of his daughters, Scarlett and Melody. The Colonel is delighted about the impending nuptials, and will be even happier when he actually finds two young men willing to marry the girls. After all, eligible young men are scarce these days. War is looming on the horizon, and Yankee spies are everywhere. The only single gentlemen around seem to be the Pinkney boys, and let’s face it, they are a bit odd. And we can’t forget Brett Rutgers, a gambler of vague origins, and questionable repute. These gentlemen may not be a perfect match for the girls, but, in these trying times, who can wait for perfect. So sit back, enjoy the party, and keep your eyes open for stray bullets and Yankee spies!

Let’s Host A Murder!

7 Characters, 3 Women – 4 Men (2 female characters played by one actress)

Characters include: Husband & wife party hosts, husband & wife next door neighbors, new gay couple from next door, cop/ex-wife of one of the gay guys.

A hilarious neighborhood dinner party murder mystery.

Welcome to the home of George and Joan Recht. We hope you’re ready for a good time tonight, because Joan has decided to throw the neighborhood’s first murder mystery dinner party. Just about everyone on the block will be here, including Carol and Jerry Axelrod. You know how Carol prides herself on the parties she and Jerry throw. And the fact that Joan beat her to the punch on this mystery party thing must be killing her! Who knows, we may also get a peek at the new neighbors moving into old man Griffith’s house. Anything could happen in this wacky neighborhood. After all, it’s a mystery party. Isn’t that the point?

The Case Of The Countryside Killer

7 Characters, 2 Women – 5 Men (2 male characters played by one actor)

Characters include: Lord of the Manor, His Nephew & Girlfriend, Butler, A Bum, and Husband & Wife American Red-neck Tourists.

An exquisite English manor house murder mystery.

As night falls on the English countryside, we find ourselves in the ancestral home of Lord Nigel Bridgewater. A Bridgewater has occupied this stately manor since the reign of Elizabeth (we don’t mean number two). But, alas, the house has seen better days. This historic hall, once the gathering place for the crowned heads of Europe, is now home to just Lord Bridgewater, his nephew, Cecil, the loyal butler, Cromwell, and an occasional guest for tea. Rumors are flying at the local pub that Lord Bridgewater may actually be contemplating selling the estate to some Americans! Certainly Cecil would be upset at the loss of his birthright. There is no telling how the young man might react. And if by some miracle we could talk to the dearly departed, who knows what the Bridgewater’s ancestors would say. But, of course, that is just a silly speculation. For now, sit back, enjoy Bridgewater’s hospitality, and let yourself be taken in by the “spirit” of the evening.

Murder Came From Outer Space

7 Characters, 2 Women – 5 Men (2 male characters played by one actor)

Characters include: Ship’s Captain, Second in Command, Science Officer, Ambassador, Android, Security Officer, Tech Nerd

A campy Sci-Fi murder mystery.

Welcome aboard the Starship Avis. Our mission is to boldly go where no man has gone before, but we also hope to make a few extra bucks by offering Starlight Dinner Cruises. The Captain is a seasoned pro, so safety shouldn’t be a concern. Well, except of course, his second in command, Number Two isn’t exactly the swiftest comet in the heavens, so maybe you should be a little concerned. And the security officer is, well’ let’s just say it; a little insecure. Then there’s the new science officer. She’s…. well, we’ll let you see for yourself. And of course maybe we shouldn’t tell you about the rumor of spaceships exploding into fiery balls of energy. We’ll leave that to the ambassador. But besides that, there’s no reason why you can’t sit back, relax, and enjoy this evenings cruise. Well there may be one reason but maybe we should tell you later…

The Butler’s Been Murdered!

7 Characters, 2 Women – 5 Men (2 male characters played by one actor)

Characters include: Two English butlers, French Maid, Wrestling Promoter, Hotel Waiter, Banquet Manager

A boisterous butler convention murder mystery.

Welcome fellow butlers to WOWIBUCON The World Wide Butlers Convention. Every four years we gather with our peers to celebrate the wonderful world of Butlering, and to determine who will win the coveted title, “Butler of the Year” Of course the favorite in tonight’s contest is the reigning champion, Jeeves. But he may face some stiff competition from his protégé’, Cornwall. There is also a rumor spreading through the ranks that the World Wide Butler Association has some changes planned for this year’s contest. New Format? New contestants? Nobody knows. But there are folks DYING to find out! So sit back and enjoy WOWIBUCON !

Fashion To Die For!

6 Characters, 3 Women – 3 Men (2 male characters played by one actor)

Characters include: 2 Fashion Designers (females), Assistant (female), 2 Movers (males), European Fashion Designer (male).
A fabulously funny fashion industry murder mystery.

The world of high fashion is a buzz! Editors from Mademoiselle to Vogue are having an utter tizzy. Sylvia Skrong, Chief Editor of Eurogirl magazine has scored the coup of coups. She secretly set up a showdown of Haute Couture. A design contest between newcomer Cara Mia Puccaria and super designer, Pupi Pastorini. To the winner will be bestowed the title,”Designer of the Year.” Winning could make young miss Puccaria a star, and could only help boost Pupi’s sagging career. Cara Mia’s assistant has been running around like the proverbial chicken with no head, and the boys backstage are about ready to pluck a few feathers. There are designers who would just kill for this opportunity. Who knows, Vera or Giorgio may be waiting in the wings, just in case something might happen to one of our contestants. Puccaria and Pastorini are bound to pull out all the stops to wins this thing, so sit back and be prepared to see some fashion to die for!

Who Killed The Boss?

7 Characters, 3 Women – 4 Men (2 male characters played by one actor)

Characters include: Boss, Boss’ Wife, Intern, IT Guy, HR Manager, Sales and Mktg. Manager, Shop Foreman.

A hilarious holiday office party murder mystery.
The weekend is almost here, the projects have been put to rest until Monday and offices all over the country are preparing for the same honored tradition; THE COMPANY PARTY! And the folks here at National Universal Technology Services are no different. Every department is buzzing about the upcoming event. I mean, after last years holiday toga party, who wouldn’t be excited? Of course, this year may be a bit restrained, but Helen from HR, and the folks from legal have been working for months to make sure that this year’s bash is a good time for all, and yet still protecting the corporation from some of those silly liability issues that arose last year. All your favorite co-workers will be there; Rob from marketing, Bill from I.T, and the new intern, Amanda. The boss may even bring his wife. So come on out and celebrate a killer of a good time!

Text “M” For Murder

7 Characters, 3 Women – 4 Men (2 male characters played by one actor)

Characters include: 2 geeky guys, young male city council candidate, male social network creator, young female journalist, female party organizer, middle-aged divorcee.

Social networking at its murderous best.

Social networking is all the rage.  Folks are tweeting, texting, and blogging their way through a world that knows what’s going on in your life before you do.  Friends lists can grow faster than the mold on the sandwich you dropped behind the couch the last time you played Guitar Hero.  And the biggest network of them all, FaceSpace, has gathered you, the most popular members on the site, for and unprecedented event; FACESPACE; FACE TO FACE. Imagine that, social networkers actually socializing. But there’s a rumor going around that FaceSpace is going to throw out a little offer that will test even the oldest cyber-friendships. So stick around to see how this little Textapalooza turns out…

A Happy Holiday Whodunit

7 Characters, 2 Women – 4 Men (2 male characters played by one actor)

Characters include: Santa, Mrs. Claus, 2 Elves, a reindeer, Burt, the efficiency expert and Bud the Bum.

A crazy Christmas caper.

Ho! Ho! Ho! and Merry Christmas! The holiday season is upon us, and nowhere is that more evident than at the North Pole. Santa’s workshop is abuzz with activity. Edgar, Santa’s head elf, is scurrying about, attending to every detail, with the help of his faithful assistant, Vivian. Prancer, the reindeer is trying to get in shape for his yearly trek around the world, and Mrs. Claus is cooking up a storm trying to keep the staff well fed and happy. But, it’s going to take more than a hot lunch to put Santa’s helpers at ease this year. It seems Santa has brought in an efficiency expert this year, to bring the workshop into the 21st century, and word has it that nobody’s job is safe. Who might lose their job? We’re all dying to know in this crazy Christmas caper!