Written by Richard Levinson and William Link, the creators of Columbo and Murder, She Wrote, Rehearsal for Murder takes place in an empty theater as playwright Alex Dennison stages an elaborate plan to reveal the truth behind his movie star fiancée's supposed suicide. Cast and crew from her first, and only stage play performance are gathered together a year after her death under the pretext of a reading of his new play. "Unusual form, a mystery," Alex notes, "You take the audience by the hand, and you lead them in the wrong direction. They trust you, and you betray them! All in the name of surprise."
As the scenes are read, it becomes evident that Alex has an ulterior motive in inviting these people for this "rehearsal." When the group learns that Alex believes Monica was actually murdered, and that one of them is the prime suspect, it is only through various methods of duress that they reluctantly go along with his scheme. Each character is introduced, playing what seems to be a stock part: the ingénue yearning for stardom; the producer keeping his eye on the bottom line; the stage director trying to make a name for himself; the embittered ex-lover; the leading man with an eye for the ladies, and so on.
The tension grows as the clues are laid out piece by piece and reaches the boiling point with surprising revelations, countered by others even more surprising. The dazzling, yet basically logical twists build to a climax and solution that are theatrically stunning! The authors of this thriller have all had direct Broadway experience, and their dialogue has a special sting of wit and reality.
This play was popularized in a 1982 made for TV movie starring Robert Preston, Patrick MacNee, Lynn Redgrave, and a very young Jeff Goldblum.
So bring your problem solving abilities with you and try to figure out who the murderer is in this spine-tingling whodunnit. We guarantee you'll have a great time.
Dates: January 22nd through February 13th, 2010
Performance Times:
Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm
January 31st & February 7th at 3pm
Location: ACE Theatre Main Stage; ACE Theatre is located at 17011 Bamwood, one block east of Ella Blvd off of FM 1960W ( just north of Just Brakes).
Ticket Prices: Adults $15
Seniors & Students $13
Website: http://www.acetheatre.org/
