An old-fashioned family murder

Run dates:  November 12-15 & 19-22, 2026

Directed by Jonathan Grafft

A murder. A mystery. A mother. It’s a dark and stormy night at the mansion of elderly Colonel Claythorne, and the pompous murder-mystery author Arthur Whittington is holding court with the Colonel’s family: his eldest daughter, Clarice, who is cold and glamorous; Clarice’s attractive fiancé, Jasper; Claythorne’s youngest daughter, Dotty, who is a big fan of Whittington’s; and Mrs. Shirley Peck, an unassuming but keenly observant visiting widow. When Whittington shares the news that the Colonel has modified his will to cut out one of his daughters – though which daughter won’t be revealed until the Colonel’s death – tempers flare. By the time Mrs. Peck’s son, (junior) Detective Paul Peck arrives at the house, there’s been a murder, and everyone is a suspect. With backstabbing, love and Mrs. Peck’s mother-knows-best advice complicating the investigation, it soon becomes clear that nothing – and no one – is what it seems in this spoof of classic murder mysteries of the 1940’s.

“Double Tony-winning playwright Joe DiPietro has cleverly developed a recipe for an uproarious new farce. DiPietro pours every possible Film Noir detective cliché into a mixing bowl… The result is delicious. Voila!… [the play] is a hit.” – BroadwayWorld

“[DiPietro]’s wit, warmth, and clever storytelling are on full display.” – George Street Playhouse

• Mrs. Shirley Peck — over 50
• Detective Paul Peck -- 30s and up
• Arthur Whittington — Middle-aged - ridiculous English accent
• Clarice Claythorne - 20s-30s
• Dotty Claythorne - 20s-30s
• Jasper Jamison - Reasonable aged to be Clarice's fianc

Director – Jonathan Grafft

Stage Manager – Kady Derbyshire

Set Builder – 

Light & Sound Design–