A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Perfect Crime

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  1w, 4m

Warren Manzi

The longest-running play in New York City history, Perfect Crime is a timeless cat-and-mouse thriller involving a successful Connecticut psychiatrist, her wealthy husband, her deranged patient and a handsome but duplicitous inspector.

Perfect Crime

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 4m
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Mystery/Thriller
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary

This cat-and-mouse thriller is one of off-Broadway's longest-running hits. Margaret Thorne Brent, psychiatrist and author, has returned to America with her husband, also a psychiatrist, and settled in an affluent Connecticut community where at least one bizarre murder has taken place. Inspector James Ascher, the local cop, becomes obsessed with Margaret, her patients and their sitting room, where he believes the solution to the murder lies.

History

Perfect Crime was first presented at The Courtyard Playhouse in New York City on April 17, 1987. It was directed by Jeffrey Hyatt.

Keywords
Performing Groups

MARGARET THORNE BRENT – psychiatrist, 30s.
INSPECTOR JAMES ASCHER – the law, late 30s.
W. HARRISON BRENT – Margaret's husband, also a psychiatrist, 40s, retired.
LIONEL MCAULEY – a patient of Margaret's, late 30s.
DAVID BREUER – host of a local cable television show, 30s.

  • Time Period Present Day
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Sends electric thrills up the spine!” – The New York Times

“Shows a fine hand at creating suspense. The psychological curve balls... whiz by.” – New York Daily News

“If Harold Pinter, Tennessee Williams, and Agatha Christie ever sat around a bar one night and said "Let's write a murder mystery,' they might have come up with Perfect Crime.” – United Press International

“Keeps you right there on the edge of your seat with a delightful blend of suspense, sexuality, and intellectual teasing.” – Texas Triangle

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

Scripts

Available Formats:
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Authors

Warren Manzi

Warren Manzi
In 1980, while playing Mozart on Broadway in Amadeus, Warren Manzi wrote his first full-length play, the original version of Perfect Crime. The play was optioned for Broadway that same year, making Warren – then, age twenty-five – the youngest American ever to have a play opt ...
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