Murder for Two
Book and Music Joe Kinosian, Book and Lyrics Kellen Blair
MURDER FOR TWO is the perfect blend of music, mayhem and murder! In this hilarious 90-minute show, 2 performers play 13 roles—not to mention the piano—in a witty and winking homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries. The New York Times calls it “INGENIOUS! A snazzy double-act that spins out a comic mystery animated by funny, deftly turned songs.” You won’t want to miss this killer musical comedy!
Synopsis
Officer Marcus Moscowicz is a small town policeman with dreams of making it to detective. One fateful night, shots ring out at the surprise birthday party of Great American Novelist Arthur Whitney and the writer is killed…fatally. With the nearest detective an hour away, Marcus jumps at the chance to prove his sleuthing skills—with the help of his silent partner, Lou. But whodunit? Did Dahlia Whitney, Arthur’s scene-stealing wife, give him a big finish? Is Barrette Lewis, the prima ballerina, the prime suspect? Did Dr. Griff, the overly-friendly psychiatrist, make a frenemy? Marcus has only a short amount of time to find the killer and make his name before the real detective arrives…and the ice cream melts!
Video
Production History
Murder For Two was developed at The Adirondack Theatre Festival and 42nd Street Moon. Chicago Shakespeare Theater presented the World Premiere Production in May, 2011, which was extended 4 times and ran for more than 6 months. Kinosian and Blair were recognized with a 2011 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Musical. Murder For Two opened at Second Stage Theatre’s uptown home, the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, in July, 2013. It was extended twice due to popular demand. The Second Stage production transferred to New World Stages, where performances began on October 23, 2013.
Cast
Joe Kinosian
Brett Ryback
Jeremiah Ginn – Understudy
Adan Overett – Understudy
Joe Kinosian
Together with Kellen Blair, Joe is the recipient of Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award recognizing Murder For Two as the Best New Musical Work following its record-breaking seven-month run at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Joe was also honored with a nomination for Best Leading Actor as The Suspects in that production. Previous to Chicago, developmental productions took place at the Adirondack Theater Festival and 42nd St. Moon in San Francisco. Joe and Kellen’s song “If He Knew Me” had its Broadway debut at the 2013 Theatre World Awards, performed by Wesley Taylor; their work has also been showcased in the York Theater’s NEO Concert, The Kennedy Center’s Broadway Today and Tomorrow series, and The Kaufman Center’s Bound for Broadway concert. He is a member of the BMI Workshop (Harrington Award winner), an alum of the Johnny Mercer Songwriting Project, and staff writer for the band Amy Lynn & The Gunshow. As an actor, Joe appeared in Dirty Blonde at the Hangar Theater, with Emily Skinner. He also plays host Michael Philip Touch on the comedy podcast Musical Theatre Today!, available at the iTunes store or at mttpod.com. For more about Joe and Kellen, visit kinosianandblair.com.
Brett Ryback
Is an actor, composer, and playwright. Off-Broadway: Murder for Two (Second Stage). Regional: The History Boys (Ahmanson); The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Mark Taper Forum); The world premieres of The Prince of Atlantis, Dr. Cerberus, and Imagine (South Coast Rep); Upright Grand (world premiere, Theatreworks, Palo Alto); Henry V (Milwaukee Shakes); On Your Toes! (Reprise!); Over the Tavern, Inspecting Carol (Milwaukee Rep); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Ovation Nomination), Little Shop of Horrors; Broadway Bound (La Mirada). Television credits include: “Cupid,” “House,” “How I Met Your Mother.” His plays and musicals include: Liberty Inn: The Musical (Ovation nominations Best Book, Best Music/Lyrics); Darling (Weston Playhouse New Musical Award, Featured on NBC’s “The Apprentice.”); Weïrd (Winner, Tennessee Williams One-Act Competition); Death Valley DQ (Honorable Mention, American Globe Theatre 15-Minute Play Fest), and The Tavern Keeper’s Daughter.
Creative
Book & Music Joe Kinosian
Book & Lyrics Brett Ryback
Director Scott Schwartz
Scenic Design Beowulf Boritt
Costume Design Andrea Lauer
Lighting Design Jason Lyons
Sound Design Jill BC DU Boff
Music Director David Caldwell
Choreographer Wendy Seyb
Asst Director J. Scott Lapp
Production Stage Manager Kat West
Asst STage Manager Libby Unsworth
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