(PARLIN, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" by John Bishop, opening May 19 and playing through May 27th. In this play, the creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop (in which three chorus girls were murdered by the mysterious "Stage Door Slasher") assemble for a backer's audition of their new show at the Westchester estate of a wealthy "angel."
The house is replete with sliding panels, secret passageways and a German maid who is apparently four different people—all of which figure diabolically in the comic mayhem which follows when the infamous "Slasher" makes his reappearance and strikes again—and again. As the composer, lyricist, actors and director prepare their performance, and a blizzard cuts off any possible retreat, bodies start to drop in plain sight, knives spring out of nowhere, masked figures drag their victims behind swiveling bookcases, and accusing fingers point in all directions.
An ingenious and wildly comic romp which enjoyed a long and critically hailed run both on and Off-Broadway. Poking antic fun at the more ridiculous aspects of "show biz" and the corny thrillers of Hollywood's heyday, the play is a non-stop barrage of laughter as those assembled (or at least those who aren't killed off) untangle the mystery.
For tickets and showtimes visit www.smstc.org. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Assigned seating only. The production is produced by Roberta Ferlita and Patrice O'Connell; and directed by John Correll Jr.
Main Street Theatre is located at 3018 Bordentown Avenue in Parlin, New Jersey.
PHOTO (from left to right) top: Greg Brooks, Kate Blazo, Russell Ortiz; bottom:Lynne Cefalo, Tony Savino, Kimberly Correll, Jake Zillioux, Laurie Toole, Mike Levine; not pictured: Christine Jay)