A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE
Murder For Two
Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 2 any gender (adult)
Book by Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian
Lyrics by Kellen Blair
Music by Joe Kinosian
The perfect blend of music, mayhem and murder! In this hilarious 90-minute show, 2 performers play 13 roles — not to mention the piano — in a witty and winking homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries. The New York Times calls it "Ingenious!"
Image: 2016 TheatreSquared Production (Beth Hall)
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Cast Size
2 any gender (adult) -
Duration
90 minutes -
Subgenre
Farce, Mystery/Thriller -
Target Audience
Adult
Accolades
Winner! 2011 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Musical
Nominee: 2014 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Book of a Musical
Nominee: 2014 Drama League Award, Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical
Nominee: 2014 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding New Off Broadway Musical
Details
Summary
Officer Marcus Moscowicz is a small-town policeman with dreams of making it to detective. One fateful night, shots ring out at the surprise birthday party of Great American Novelist Arthur Whitney and the writer is killed…fatally. With the nearest detective an hour away, Marcus jumps at the chance to prove his sleuthing skills—with the help of his silent partner, Lou. But whodunit? Did Dahlia Whitney, Arthur's scene-stealing wife, give him a big finish? Is Barrette Lewis, the prima ballerina, the prime suspect? Did Dr. Griff, the overly-friendly psychiatrist, make a frenemy? Marcus has only a short amount of time to find the killer and make his name before the real detective arrives… and the ice cream melts!
Murder For Two is the perfect blend of music, mayhem and murder! In this hilarious 90-minute show, 2 performers play 13 roles – not to mention the piano – in a witty and winking homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries. You won't want to miss this killer musical comedy!
History
Murder For Two was developed at The Adirondack Theatre Festival and 42nd Street Moon. Chicago Shakespeare Theater presented the World Premiere Production in May, 2011, which was extended 4 times and ran for more than 6 months. Kinosian and Blair were recognized with a 2011 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Musical. Murder For Two opened at Second Stage Theatre’s uptown home, the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, in July, 2013. It was extended twice due to popular demand. The Second Stage production transferred to New World Stages, where performances began on October 23, 2013. Murder For Two had a subsequent two-year national tour, and it has been performed in Japan, South Korea, China, Argentina, Brazil and the UK.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
- Time Period Contemporary
- Setting
An isolated mansion in rural New England, present day.
- Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
- Additional Features No Intermission
- Duration 90 minutes
- Cautions
- No Special Cautions
Media
“Ingenious! A snazzy double-act that spins out a comic mystery animated by funny, deftly turned songs.” – New York Times
“This whodunit... is proof positive that clever writing and excellent actors are all that is needed to captivate an audience... The props are few, but the entertainment value is high.” – Huffington Post, Read More
“Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair's score is a silly-clever throwback to 1950s novelty cabaret, and director Scott Schwartz milks the show for every drop of tomfoolery: vaudeville bits, sound effects, meta winks, audience participation. Like many a lark, Murder for Two... wins you over with droll writing and winsome performances... If you like your show-business men hardworking, you may end up smitten.” – Time Out NY, Read More
“Was the killer Dahlia, the deceased's wife, a Southern belle who resented her husband for ending her glamorous stage career? Or Barrette Lewis, the celebrated ballerina who was seeing him on the sly? Or the psychiatrist Dr. Griff, who seemed to be treating just about everyone in the room at the time of the murder? It couldn't possibly be a member of that boys' choir on hand for Arthur's birthday party, now could it? Then again, they're a tough little bunch.” – The New York Times, Read More
Videos
Murder For Two - Montage
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Protocol Says
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Friend Like You
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A Lot Worse
Photos
Image: 2016 TheatreSquared Production (Beth Hall)
Music
Music Samples
- Musical Style Classic Broadway
- Dance Requirements None
- Vocal DemandsModerate
- Orchestra Size Small/Combo
- Chorus Size No Chorus
Licensing & Materials
- Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.
Music Rentals
Scripts
Available Formats:
Add-Ons
Authors
Joe Kinosian