Open Forum

We had fun with a play called Death by Design by Rob Urbanati (Samuel French). It's a fun murder mystery-- without actually killing anyone. cast of 8 (4/4).  

For a thriller, we did Noah Smith's adaptation of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde last year. Always a fun reaction when a character is dragged onto the stage with his own walking stick protruding from his chest.

It may be too adult, but Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom is fabulous and mixes reality and video game reality.  Super modern thriller with great roles for young actors.  

I've always been intrigued with SPEAKING OF MURDER by William and Audrey Roos. Cast size 8. Samuel French.

I'm in Lancaster County, PA - but The Fulton Theatre - one of the local professional theatres produced AND THEN THERE WERE NONE last year - and my students absolutely loved it!  They host a Teen Lounge program once per mainstage run (the 2nd Thursday, or something like that).  Teens arrive at 5:15, and have a workshop session with directors, technicians and actors involved in the show - usually including a backstage tour to see the sets from all angles.  Then a short break for dinner - lots of nearby options at downtown restaurants - and then come back to see the show.

It's $20 per student for each show - but you can get a 'season pass' for all of the productions (6) all year for $99.  As a Troupe, we ordered eight season passes, and just have kids sign up to attend different shows.  It was an $800 purchase, but it allows for 48 tickets and gives some of my kids an opportunity to see live, professional theatre up close. Since it's so close, it is also easy for them to make arrangements for their own transportation.  

Every student in our drama club is asked to participate in our fall fundraiser, to sell 50 apple dumplings, in exchange for any sort of "dues" or activity fee.  So with about 50 active club members, and 48 show tickets - that's a pretty even match.  For a few of the shows, I have had to order additional $20 tickets - but it usually works itself out.

For AND THEN THERE WERE NONE - they were so excited about seeing how the little figurines were manipulated and the special effects used.   Because the program is intended for teens (and it's on a school night) - I did not personally attend the show, but my son did - and he still mentions it at times. I can pick his brain for more details - but that title immediately caught my eye, because it is still one that left quite an impression even though it was in October, 2014!

We had a blast with a little known suspense thriller called Hangman's Noose By George Batson. 

We had great fun with Design for Murder by George Batson.  Its first copyright date is 1931, and Tallulah Bankhead starred in it.  

There are 10 characters, 6 of them female.  One of the 4 males is a policeman who only appears in the final scene and could potentially be played by a character who dies earlier.  

Box set. 

A Kander & Ebb MUSICAL thriller:

CURTAINS

It’s the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959. Boston’s Colonial Theatre is host to the opening night performance of a new musical. When the leading lady mysteriously dies on stage the entire cast & crew are suspects. Enter a local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan!

At TRW:

http://theatricalrights.com/curtains