A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Lady Cries Murder

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  4w, 9m

John William See

“It is 1938. A successful radio producer has purchased a detective story from a writer named Raymond Chandler. Chandler is incensed that the producer is rewriting and distorting the story but seems powerless to do anything. With that as a background, the playwright segues into one of the slickest, smartest, funniest spoofs of the hard boiled detective genre ever to hit the boards.” – Los Angeles Weekly

The Lady Cries Murder

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 9m
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Mystery/Thriller
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
Set in 1938, The Lady Cries Murder is a classic detective tale of the period, cram-packed with twists. See's plot plays on three levels: First, there is radio scripter, Sartone, who has developed a popular detective series; second, there are the actors playing the characters in his scripts; and, finally, there are characters who think they are real.
History
The Lady Cries Murder premiered at the San Diego Repertory Theatre in August 1980. Directed by Christopher R., the production featured Doug Hinkston, Peter Jacobs, Robert Larsen, Laura Rankin and Cecila Rathburn.
Performing Groups

PHILIP DIAMOND – a tough, sincere, hardboiled detective
ANGEL LA TOUR – his tough, sincere, harboiled secretary
MILES SWORDFISH – Diamond's deceased partner
MARSHA SHORTHAND – a red herring dressed in green
EMMA SHORTHAND – a rich dowager
WADSWORTH – her butler
SHANGHAI SUE – a luxurious Asian woman
ERNIE BONE – a piece of muscle
RAOUL JAMAICA – a dangerous lady's man
LIEUTENANT GROG – a tough cop
SERGEANT DUNK – a tough cop's partner
JASPER GRUNT – a corporate bloodsucker
CHARLES SARTONE – a famous novelist
DELORES SARTONE – Charles' batty wife
IAN LATABY – Charles' chauffeur
WILLIAM KRESKIN – a concerned lawyer
MIRIAM BROOKS – Charles' secretary
RAYMOND CHANDLER – a writer of wrongs

The following combinations are suggested for double casting:
MIRIAM/ANGEL
KRESKIN/SWORDFISH
DELORES/EMMA
WADSWORTH/ANNOUNCER/WAITER
RAOUL/IAN
CHARLES/JASPER

The following are combinations are suggested for double casting:
MIRIAM/ANGEL
KRESKIN/SWORDFISH
DELORES/EMMA
WADSWORTH/ANNOUNCER/WAITER
RAOUL/IAN
CHARLES/JASPER

  • Time Period 1930s
  • Setting New York City. The house of the famous American writer, Charles Sartone. 1938.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“The best written of its genre and certainly the wittiest.” – Los Angeles Times
“It is 1938. A successful radio producer has purchased a detective story from a writer named Raymond Chandler. Chandler is incensed that the producer is rewriting and distorting the story but seems powerless to do anything. With that as a background, the playwright segues into one of the slickest, smartest, funniest spoofs of the hard boiled detective genre ever to hit the boards.” – Los Angeles Weekly


“One of the more successful spoofs of the hard boiled private eye yarns of the 30s.” – Los Angeles Magazine

Music

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

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Scripts

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Authors

Author

John William See

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