DEATH BY DESSERT
ISBN: 978-1-61588-029-4
Types: Full Length, Dinner Theatre
Genres: Comedy, Mystery
Themes: Dinner Theatre, Audience Participation
Duration: 75 minutes
Speaking Cast: 6-8 females, 6-7 males, 1 either (13-16 total cast)
Flexibility: 2-20 extras, doubling possible, gender flexible
SYNOPSIS: It's dinnertime, and you're invited to a meal so good, it's to die for! In New York's little Italy, the Donnaducce family and the Duccedonni family have been feuding for a generation, while operating two competing Italian restaurants that share a common wall. At rise, the building's landlord is dead at center stage, and everyone is suspect – from the old-world Italian grandmother and mafia don grandfather to the passionate chefs and bumbling waitstaff.
 
Flashing back in time, the story is told by its victim, who alternately narrates and participates in the action. As customers in the restaurant, the audience is served a delectable meal, but they don't just sit back and watch; each table must cast their vote for whodunit! Will the murderer be ferreted out? Will the feud ever be reconciled? What are the hidden truths about what happened all those years ago?
 
This offbeat comedic mystery will delight the audience with its fast pace and entertaining story, and engage performers with its host of colorful characters. The play's interactivity makes it ideal for fundraisers, and it can be played with or without the dinner theatre element. Single set is simple and requires no connecting backstage space.
Waterstone College
Gauteng, South Africa
Rock Hill Theatre
Frisco, TX
Leola School
Leola, SD
Faith Academy Charter School
Faith, NC
Southside Elementary School
Lebanon, TN
Blake Theater Howard W. Blake School of the Arts
Tampa, FL
"This play was so fun!! The audience loved it and the student cast and crew enjoyed it. The special effects were simple and funny. The stage was not difficult to assemble. Our small high school performed it very well."
By Carolyn Nelson - Director - Wheatland High School
"I have directed this play twice now (a few years apart, once with high school students, and once with middle school students) both times, the students are excited and anticipate their chance to be on stage. The characters are comical and the audience also provided positive feedback each time! A great show and group fundraising opportunity."
By Kara Lacouture - Director - Mauriceville Middle School
"My 8th-grade class performed this play as a dinner theater and it was a hit! It was easy to stage and costume on a limited budget. There were roles for students that wanted speaking roles, and I was able to include a few others as non-speaking 'extras' by having them be waiters and waitresses. We were able to incorporate chocolate cake into our dinner. The audience loved it!"
By Jennifer Clayton - Little Flock Christian Academy
by Nathan Hartswick
Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School
Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School
Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School
Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School
Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School
Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School
Petaluma High School, Whodunnit?
MATERIALS & PERFORMANCES
Product Price Qty Total
Script
$9.00 $0.00
Notebook Script
$16.75 $0.00
Performance Royalty
$75.00 $0.00
Limited Video Rights
$50.00 $0.00
Limited Streaming/Broadcast Rights
$50.00 $0.00
Extra Streams
$0.50 $0.00
Add to Cart
Subtotal
$0.00
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