Stage West Presents Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian's MURDER FOR TWO

Everyone is a suspect in Murder for Two, a hilarious musical mystery with a twist: one actor investigates the crime, and the other plays all the suspects. And they both play piano! This rollicking piece begins a 5-week run at Stage West on Thursday, November 17.

Successful novelist Arthur Whitney has been shot at his birthday party! When police officer Marcus (who desperately wants to make detective) arrives on the scene, he finds a plethora of suspects, all seemingly with motive. Was it the resentful southern belle wife? The less-than-scrupulous psychiatrist? The seductive ballerina? He must somehow unravel this messy mystery in record time, in order to impress his Chief, and get the promotion he wants so much. It's a high-speed display of virtuosity which is part vaudeville act, part Agatha Christie, part Clue-and an hugely entertaining time in the theatre!

"Ingenious! A snazzy double-act that spins out a comic mystery animated by funny, deftly turned songs." - The New York Times

Kellen Blair (book and lyrics) is the Drama Desk nominated co-creator of Murder for Two. Kellen and co-writer Joe Kinosian are the recipients of the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Musical Work in Chicago (2011) and the ASCAP Foundation Mary Rodgers / Lorenz Hart Award (2013). Their work has been showcased on Broadway, the Kennedy Center, and theaters across the country. Kellen is excited to be developing a new musical farce with Joe titled The More Things Change; he's also working with Broadway composer Larry Grossman on a new show called Scrooge in Love.

Joe Kinosian (book and music) is the co-recipient of Chicago's Joseph Jefferson Award recognizing Murder for Two as Best New Musical following its record-breaking run at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Joe was also nominated for Best Actor as The Suspects. Murder for Two had its Off-Broadway premiere at Second Stage Uptown, going on to a year-long run at New World Stages. Joe's work with Kellen Blair has been showcased at The Kennedy Center, The York Theater, and on Broadway at the Theatre World Awards. Joe received the ASCAP Foundation Mary Rodgers/ Lorenz Hart Award and the Harrington Award from the BMI Workshop. Joe also appeared in Dirty Blonde (Hangar Theater) and the NYC premiere of Dear Edwina Off-Broadway.

Murder for Two will be directed by Lindy Heath Davis, whose many credits include work for Booker T. Washington, Theatre Arlington, Kids Who Care and the Dallas Theater Center; she will also handle the musical direction and choreography. Would-be detective Marcus will be played by Mark Schenfisch, a New York actor whose roles have included Marcus understudy in Murder for Two, and Billy Elliot, while The Suspects will be played by Teddy Warren, an SMU grad now living in Milwaukee who has appeared locally as Lysander in the Trinity Shakespeare production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Set design is by Ryan McBride, with lighting by Aaron Johansen, costuming by Johna Sewell, sound design by Dana Schultes, and props/set décor by Lynn Lovett.

Murder for Two will preview Thursday, November 17 at 7:30 and Friday, November 18 at 8:00, and will run through Sunday, December 18. Performance times will be Thursday evenings at 7:30, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00, with Sunday matinees at 3:00. There will be no performance on Thanksgiving. The opening night reception will be Saturday, November 19. Ticket prices range from $31 to $35, with discounts for the preview performance, and for students, seniors, and military. Food service is available 90 minutes prior to performances (reservations are necessary). Reservations and information are available through the Box Office (817-784-9378), or on the website, www.stagewest.org.

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