Open Forum

Hello,
I am a community college instructor and am looking for suggestions of titles that will hold as much appeal as CLUE. I am about to open a production of that show next weekend and have to already start looking for something for next year. CLUE has proven to be enormously popular. I'm in the process of building a program and so want to hang onto those I have and attract new participants. I do have some limitations, such as budget and I average (currently) about 15 per show. I have some titles in mind but want to see what's out there that I may not have considered.

Thank you.

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Angie Lai
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Noises Off would be in that fast paced mood

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Jerry Onik
V.P. Theatrical Supplies and Equipment
Heartland Scenic Studio
NE
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Look at a new comedy/murder mystery by Ken Levine, Emmy winning writer of over 200 episodes of television, including MASH, Cheers, Frasier, and  the Simpsons. The title is WHAT IS "MURDER"?. Four former Jeopardy! champions meet for a weekend to prepare for the Tournament of Champions. When the front-runner is murdered, it becomes a game of cat and mouse between three brainiacs and a wily detective. Comedy, clues, and surprises await, WHAT IS "MURDER"?

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[Jim] [Hoare]
[New York] [NY]
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I really enjoyed directing Play On! by Rick Abbot.  We didn't have the money, space, or expertise for the set required for Noises Off, but Play On! gave us that buildup of hilarity without the high price tag.  7F, 3M.

A community theatre tries to save some money by producing a play by a local woman, who keeps making significant changes through the rehearsal process. 

One caveat.  Problems are made worse by a couple of cast members drinking on opening night.    

It was published by Samuel French, now Concord.   

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CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC
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If you're looking for something low cost and really fun, you might want to look at the farces of Feydeau. They are fast-paced, a little naughty, and very clever. There are lots of translations to choose from. You could also have a look at Moliere, especially his commedia-based "Scapin".

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Michael Bergman
Teacher/Director (retired)
He/Him/His
Alexandria, VA
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Hi Angie, if your looking for something similar to Clue, I wrote a mystery cause I am not a fan of Clue.   I feel that play has no real dramatic tension and we don't really care who is killed or if the story makes sense.     Someone murders another in the dark in ten seconds, escapes through a trap door, and nothing goes wrong.   
My play is more realistic with a reading of a will, relatives dying within the last month, and like and onion, truths are peeled away when at the end, the audience votes on the killer.   Let me know if you want to read Relatively Dangerous,  6m8f, 100 minutes.    Very informative cause I need more productions.    One scheduled for this fall.    Leonhkal@aol.com

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Leon Kaye
Playwright for the Ages
Lhk@koa1.com
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