A COMPLETE LIST OF MURDER MYSTERY PLAYS
All Titles Written By Johnny Costic
MY KINGDOM FOR A CORPSE-- (5/9/92) A medieval murder mystery. Welcome to the kingdom of Ard, a deadly place of palace intrigue. Uneasy sits the crown of King Grover as knights, knaves, and maidens furiously plot to dethrone him.
DEADLY BELOVED-- (7/8/93) It is the tumultuous union of Buzz and Alma Gahner. Family and friends gather at the reception of the beekeeper and his new bride. However, things get rather sticky as evil swarms about the nuptials.
TONE DEATH-- (3/6/93) A karaoke murder mystery. A mixed bag of musical nuts showcase more than their vocal talents. The affair is hosted by Tony Hamboni, a lounge lizard extraordinare, who has assembled both the vain and the vindictive in this deadly talent show.
GIDDY-UP AND GONE-- (11/5/95) It is the swan song for Cactus Willie and his Rickety Rodeo. After years of running the roughshod operation, he has decided to bestow the bulls, broncos, and bridles on one of his employees as a farewell prize. However, it isn’t a fond farewell as the feudin’ gets lethal.
TARGET FOR DEATH-- (2/3/99) Come along and join Sly DeVille as he hosts “THE NOT-SO-NEWLYWED GAME.” Contestants like the co-dependent couple and the backwoods brood, along with a pair from the audience, vie for more than parting gifts. Watch as old grudges erupt, and even older scores are settled.
MURDER AT THE MILLENNIUM-- (6/10/99) It’s the brink of a new century and the workers at IGROSOFT are on edge. Is there doom on the horizon? The company chairman, Gil Bates, is ready to unveil the Matchmaker 2000, a revolution in the dating field. But other forces have conspired to make this night a date for disaster.
MARKED DOWN FOR MURDER-- (6/7/98) Dinky’s Department store has opened for business. Well, just barely. The beleaguered company is trying to make one last hurrah for its owner and founder, Moe Dinky. Shop department to department and see all the lovely merchandise, as well as the cutthroat deals, the shady characters, and the back stabbing employees. A shopping experience you will never forget.
SAY NOW, IT’S MURDER-- (4/8/95) A Pennsylvania Dutch Murder Mystery. Sammy “Summer Sausage” Steckel is on trail in an effort to bring down the Sauerkraut Syndicate. The stakes are high in this courtroom drama/deli as the jury hears testimony from the principals. Trouble brews when a surprise witness takes the stand, ending the Sausage reign.
A ROTTEN DEMISE-- (6/7/97) It’s the famed Rotten Club in the roaring 1920s. Gangsters, molls, and other lively characters permeate the scene. The club is owned by the nefarious mob boss, Early Demise. Watch as the club entertains with singers and maybe a killer or two. A mob boss never has any real job security.
BOTTOM LINE IS MURDER-- Mistletoe and murder. It’s the office Christmas party for Cruddy Cosmetics. A new line of make-up is to be introduced at the gathering, and everyone is eager for the news. Will this save the company, or thrust it into bankruptcy? Bickering and petty jealousies among the employees cascade into a deadly dose of red ink.
ASSIGNMENT MURDER-- (7/6/94) It’s night classes at Maury Bund College. Students and faculty at this institution of higher learning have more than books on their minds. A dead body has shown up, and there are more on the way. Everyone needs to be a quick study in order to survive.
HOME SWEET HOMICIDE-- (10/6/98) Welcome to Frump Towers. It’s a high rise with a seedy super, a bumbling doorman, and an array of wacky residents. Emotions run high as these tenants squabble over rent, repairs, and romance. On every floor lurks danger, as a cadaver may come to call.
SLAUGHTER OFF BROADWAY-- (2/4/98) It’s opening night of the off-off-off Broadway production of “MURDER MOST FOWL.” It was financed by the famous chicken magnate, Colonel Gander. The production, however, is beset with problems, from its primadona star, to its inept stage manager. Some cast members don’t even make it and new ones must be recruited. Finally, when the curtain goes up, bodies go down-- for good.
FATAL SURPRISE-- (5/22/94) It’s the surprise birthday party for Wally Yutz. Family and friends have gathered for his fortieth birthday, a birthday he will never forget. What do you expect from a bunch of Yutzes.
STRICTLY MORGUE ROOM-- (10/6/95) It’s the biggest night of ballroom dancing at the grand Wazoo Ballroom. The even is hosted by the irascible, Rich Quick, and features couples desperately vying for the prestigious Tootsie Trophy. Tempers flare, sparks fly, and dancers hit the floor in this heated competition.
TRAILS FROM THE DARKSIDE-- (2/8/93) Join camp director, Peter Pudwink, as he leads a band of bickering misfits on a deadly camping trip. It’s certainly murder unpacked as the campers try to survive in the wilderness.
DRESSED TO KILL-- (6/6/98) A group of out-of-work actors are hired by Walter Weezel’s talent agency, but it’s more than bookings Weezel bargained for in this costume murder mystery. His clients attend Halloween parties, and other holiday events, only to find joy is a warm, dead body.
DYING TO GET EVEN-- (10/6/99) A group of travelers are booked on the cruise ship, Gargantic, and the course is anything but smooth. Join a mysterious nun, a sleazy customs agent, a befuddled cruise director, among others, as they map out a trip for disaster. Death always takes a holiday with these folks.
DEADRINGER-- (2/5/00) A circus murder mystery. Welcome to the big top and the Chezee Circus. It’s a place where performers are dropping like flies and the circus is in danger of going under. It’s more than a three ring circus, it’s a four casket funeral for the folks at Chezee. New acts are auditioned, and even the great lion tamer, Les Fingers, is feeling the tug of tragedy.
FOUR GUNSLINGERS AND A FUNERAL-- (8/5/00) Cowboys and cowgirls have come for miles around for the big can-can contest and jerky pull at the Stenchy Saddlehorn Saloon. Led by Li’l Nell Hickey, the revelers partake in the festivities until they’re threatened by the ornery, Black Bruce. The town of Belching Bluffs now has the smell of death...and soggy chaps.
OUTWIT OUTPLAY OUTKILL-- (2/10/01) Who will survive Terminal Island? Contests are brought to this remote island to pit their survival skills against one another. However, one raft was lost and more survivors are needed. The games begin, but soon they descend into the survival of the fittest as secrets are revealed, passions kindled, and treachery erupts. No man is an island, especially on Terminal.
DEATH TAKES THE CHECKERED FLAG-- (5/23/01) It’s a racing murder mystery. Welcome to the Fastnacht 500. The racers have assembled for the biggest race on the circuit, led by the fast and curvaceous, Freda Flurt. This time the racers are joined by an Amish race car driver who has set his sights on victory. However, there seems to be a curse at the track as racers are falling victim to strange accidents. It’s danger ahead as they spin their wheels, slam their brakes, and flap their jaws in this death race.
MURDER AS IS-- (10/11/01) You’re invited to the Rubbish Round-up, a place where trash turns into treasure, and an occasional dead body shows up. Here are the sellers, the buyers, the deal makers, the thieves, all hoping to find that precious nugget. These bargain hunters include Leif Burner, a hippie in a perpetual haze, a wicker-obsessed granny, and a host of others as they risk their lives in search of a fortune.
MAIN STREET, D.O.A.-- (2/14/02) Come and stroll down an old-fashion Main Street. Linger at the shop windows, including the bakery, the pharmacy, the flower shop. Meet the sweet, but often times twisted, citizens of Shady Realm. Hear their stories, follow their footsteps, and witness their deranged ramblings as this slice of life in small town U.S.A goes haywire.
THE WEAKEST FINK-- (3/12/02) Join the acerbic Ann Terrogait as she questions witnesses in the death of the vibrating mattress king. As the questions get tougher, she’s sure one of these suspects will cave and become the weakest fink. See who can’t handle the pressure as more bodies mount in this murder mystery.
THE DEADLY HORROR PICTURE SHOW-- (8/06/02) It’s a reunion at Dr. Wiener Schnitzel’s Castle Coldslab. The good doctor is a recovering transvestite, and a devious host. The highlight of the reunion is the pending nuptials of that nerdish duo, Fred and Garnet. Schnitzel has promised to join them in matrimony, but he has something more ominous up his sleeve.
STAGESTRUCK-- (12/09/02) A shady, sheep-loving acting teacher puts his motley students through some lessons in their preparation for “DEATH OF A PLUMBER.” Dick Groh’s methods are a bit unconventional, even underhanded. And each actor has a credit of revenge on their resumes.
MURDER MARINARA-- (9/15/03) Two rival families are fighting over turf and illegal cable hook-ups in this Mafia crime spoof. The Marinara family, led by Don Coronari, are celebrating the wedding of a family member with one eye out for the Feds, and the other out for the rival Ecoli family. There are a number of other characters who stir the plot including the black sheep of the family, a southern California surfer dude who left the family demolition business- BADA BOOM, for other ventures. Will the wedding go off without a hitch or will they be reciting eulogies instead of trading wedding vows?
RUBBED OUT-- (5/22/03) Many strange occurrences are unfolding at the Pore Palace Day Spa. The owner, Chuck Bounce, believes they are being run out of business by their nefarious competitor, The Dermal Depot. There have been accidents in the hot tub, and sauna, and someone was even mysteriously loofahed to death. However, Chuck’s enemies list is a long and includes many spa employees including Pat Jurass and Todd Stool. Seems Chuck can’t keep his hands to himself, whether it’s the help or the customers, or even an employees creation. Chuck is about to be bounced...forever.
DEATH IN BLOOM-- (12/16/03) The domestic goddess Martha Cutthroat is one step away from jail and is determined to go out in a blaze of glory. Her beloved company, Creatively Cutthroat, is on the verge of ruin due to her trouble with the Feds. This is the last taping of her television show and many surprises are in store, including a confrontation with Trevor Skeem who has accused her of stealing his wonderful household product, Trouser Prongs. The fur and pancake batter really fly in this domestic disturbance.
ANTIQUE ROAD KILL-- (2/15/04) All aboard the Antique Caravan as it comes to town turning family heirlooms into priceless treasure. However, unsuspecting collectors and antiquers don’t know it’s merely a quick-money scheme hatched by the notorious con artist Anson Mapanz. These appraisers are bogus and will steal anything of value from their “marks.” The show is hosted by Marxo Grouch who is a cad of the first order, and a Grade-A smart alec. Once some shocking truths are revealed about the past, no one is safe in this antique murder mystery.
DINKY’S II (Or Marked Down for More Murder) -- (10/04) More evil shenanigans from the inept work force at Dinky’s Department Store. Following the death of their beloved founder, Moe Dinky, his rat bastard son, Joe Dinky is succeeding in his father’s footsteps as a despicable retail tyrant. Bodies begin to mount in the furniture department and Dinky is sure someone is out to ruin him and put him into bankruptcy...or maybe an early grave.
MAYHEM SPELLS MURDER -- (5/05) Contestants from all over the globe (especially those from trailer parks) are vying for the Nationel GED Spelling Bee. One contestant is the victim of scalding pizza that has hampered his ability to spell. He cries sabotage and the other contestants may equal claims of skullduggery as they vie for the coveted crown of spelling champ. These wicked spellers will stop at nothing to win-- even if it means murder.
LIAR, LIAR, MURDER FOR HIRE -- (02/06) Acclaimed (well, partially acclaimed) professional storytellers gather at their annual convention to see who can spin the greatest yarn. They’re all competing for the grand prize which includes a giant canned ham, and each one wants to walk away the winner. The audience gets into the act because some of the storytellers were tragically lost in a Swedish Meatball accident. However, accusations of cheating erupt and a scandal threatens to shut down the convention. But then murder rears its ugly head an everything gets thrown for a loop.
PREDICTABLY, MURDER: -- (06/06) A group of practicing psychics have gathered for a telethon to raise money for a floundering television station that has been beset with gruesome murders. Egos erupt and accusations fly as this wacky troupe of miscast mystics proceed to dispense goofy predictions to callers and audience members alike. Sleazy host Dom DeDum has further raised the stakes by offering a prize to the psychic who makes the most accurate predictions. However, one prediction he wasn’t counting on was murder. As psychics scheme and pasts are revealed, the tiny TV station is witness to another murder.
FLIP THAT CORPSE -- (5/07) The stage is set for two incompetent and treacherous realty companies--- Boondoggle Builders and Pearl Lined Realty--- to square off one another in the next installment of the popular show “Home Wreckers.” However, a host of one of the shows is missing and presumed dead, while a certain uninvited guest, a shadowy figure named Bungalow Bob, keeps crashing the party. Bodies are getting stacked like cordwood in this home improvement thriller.
GREASED -- (8/09) The kids from Rydem High are gathered at Schmaltzy’s Malt shop when trouble begins to haunt them in the form of a drag racer named Racer Schmeck. He has put a number of dragsters in their graves, and Danny may be the next. Also, meet wise-cracking Roxy Rolly who can’t stomach Candy, Danny’s new girlfriend, making sure they both know her disgust and bad intentions. Then there’s the cosmetically challenged Frida Frizzle, who’s cosmetic license is on hold for numerous violations. In this mix of mayhem and murder are “Chrome Justice” members Belch and Dipstick whose pasts may trigger some deadly consequences.
DIELIGHT -- (6/10) A Twilight spoof that finds the Mullen Clan desperately searching for a sacred text, the Brambiblio. They fear it has been stolen, and when the Werewolves of London -- the enforcers of the Mullen clan-- learn that Teddy Mullen has brought a mortal to their annual gathering, sparks begin to fly. Little do they know that Ella Swine and Teddy intend to be wedded, and what that little tidbit is revealed, old jealousies erupt and the Mullens have a murder on their hands.
