A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

In 25 Words Or Death

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  6w, 4m

William C. Dalzell, Newt Mitzman

No trick of the mystery writer's art has been neglected in this play. There is the supposedly deserted inn, stormy weather, a Peter Lorre type, a Frankenstein, closets with built in bodies, a love story, and an assortment of characters the likes of whom you've never seen. The assembled group are the winners of a contest "I Like Foam Because...
In 25 Words Or Less." The prize they all won is an old fashioned
Thanksgiving in New England.

In 25 Words Or Death

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 4m
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Mystery/Thriller, Not Applicable
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary
No trick of the mystery writer's art has been neglected in this play. There is the supposedly deserted inn, stormy weather, a Peter Lorre type, a Frankenstein, closets with built in bodies, a love story, and an assortment of characters the likes of whom you've never seen. The assembled group are the winners of a contest "I Like Foam Because... In 25 Words Or Less." The prize they all won is an old fashioned Thanksgiving in New England. When the winners realize that the lodge is inhabited by a group whose interests are more sinister than enjoying a pleasant weekend, the prize turns into an hilarious nightmare.
Cast Attributes
OLIVE BUNKER-HILL - rough and ready as her forefathers were at Concord bridge. Weather beaten, hearty, fiftyish, she's lived on and loved the island and the New England coast her whole life. She might be described as the American couterpoint to Margaret Rutherford. A large woman, loud and blustery at times, but she has a great deal of charm.
MISS PRUCE - a junior high English teacher. She is slight, pale and bird-like.
MRS. VAN PELT - the wife of a wealthy Chicago meat packer and never lets you forget it. She hopes she is still middle-aged and chic. She is well aware of her social position. She is used to luxury and will never forgive herself for entering the Foam-X contest.
J. J. HOOTH - president of Hooth's Hoops, Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama. He's about fifty, gentlemanly, and a successful manufacturer. He, of course, has a Southern accent. This is his first vacation in 25 years and he's determined to have a wonderful time, even with the Yankees.
HALLEY HAMPTON - considers herself a native New Yorker even though she was born and raised in Steubenville, Ohio. She is blase, witty, independent, peroxided and "hep.' She is a cross between a chorus girl and a typical career woman, because she's both. Her extremely high heels make her look even taller. A rich-looking, high style dress complements her good figure. She is well groomed right down to her cigarette holder. Tosses lines like Eve Arden.
BARBARA DRISCOLL - hails from Dayton. At the Ohio State University she's a sophomore and a Tri Delt. An attractive young co-ed.
KELTON GARWOOD - sparkles with the same enthusiasm which has become synonymous with the boys at the advertising agencies. He's up and coming, a junior executive type, full of ideas and catch phrases and brimming over with conversation and good humor. He's the Ivy League, Madison Avenue, Brooks Brothers type.
NICHOLAS - has the mind of any determined seven year-old boy. He's been loyal to his master ever since Carl fed him once in Zurich. He is probably European, but we can't tell since he never speaks, just grunts. he should be played by the biggest man available. Perhaps a huge football or basketball star could handle this part. He is most difficult to describe. He is stooped, moves methodically and is terrified of licorice sticks.
MAGDA - has always been evil, even as a child in Vienna. She was successful in the black market before she met Carl, but now, as his accomplice she has an international reputation. She is slinky, cold and cruel and Carl must constantly curb her sadistic tendencies. Her accent is more pronounced than Carl's.
CARL - a dapper little man, soft spoken, clean living, almost kindly, who smuggles uncut diamonds into the United States. He abhors violence and possesses a keen criminal mind. He is European and has a slight accent, somewhat like Peter Lorre.
MAGDA
CARL
  • Time Period Present Day
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes, Elaborate / High Volume Costumes

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

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Authors

Author

William C. Dalzell

Author

Newt Mitzman

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