Killer Scripts is a division of Mystery Dinner Playhouse, LLC, now in our 19th smash year with locations in Richmond, Williamsburg, Virginia Beach & Arlington
, V
irginia.
If you are interested in obtaining the rights to produce one of our original “Killer Scripts,” there’s a wide variety to choose from. We offer a number of hilarious proven hit murder mystery dinner shows, luncheon and sales meeting murder mysteries, and interactive musical mystery shows for children.
Scores of producers across the U.S., Canada and worldwide have purchased the rights to our Killer Scripts. Our shows have a broad appeal and our customers range from professional theatrical venues, community theaters, schools, churches, non-profit organizations, restaurant owners, resorts and other fund-raising events.
Here’s what some of them have to say:
Jim, thank you for the samples; they’re both great! They are so much better than anything else I’ve been able to find! This is our third year to do our dinner theater and the last two plays were just not funny; I was thinking I was going to have to write this year’s play myself! I think “Murder Rides Again!” would be best for our group.
Vicky P., Lake Pointe Church, Mesquite TX
Jim…I talked to you Thursday about a theatre group starting to do a new dinner theatre opportunity in Shelbyville TN (about an hour south of Nashville and 3.5 to 4 hours from Gatlinburg). We are very excited about what we have read so far of ”Marriage can be Murder” and would like to get the whole script. Samuel French’s Murder at Cafe Noir’ is in second place right now. We are also interested in a few others you have:
Case of the Countryside Killer
Murder in the Court
Here’s Killing You, Kid
Murder at the Class Reunion
…and would appreciate either partial or full scripts for them, as well.
We intend to do about five Friday night shows around Halloween and, possibly, a Sunday matinee at a restaurant that seats about 100. If it goes well, we intend to do a different show each quarter.”
Wes Campbell, Casting Couch Players
“As always with your scripts, I find them of a better quality in writing and humor than the vast majority. On many westerns, too many writers rely heavily on the supposed ignorance and ‘redneck’ qualities. The humor lasts about five minutes and then you keep beating the dead horse. (No pun intended). Yours are always refreshing. I know the selection board will want to read the whole thing (they are big on “reasonable,foreseeable” motives and methods of any murders. Do you have a charge for a full script. We obviously would not perform it, in full or in part, without paying royalties first.”
Thanks.
Wes C.
“Hi Jim,
First off I would just like to tell you what a blast it was to put on Death by Disco! The show was a success for us. The audience loved it. We were only able to do two shows, though. Second, I was wondering what your policy was on video recording of the shows. We did have the show recorded so that we may possibly give each cast member a copy. We also discussed possibly selling DVD’s to our patrons as another way to raise money. I apologize for not contacting you sooner. It was a last minute decision on our part. We have not gotten to the actual production of the DVD so if this is not something you allow, please let me know and we will scratch the project. Lastly, we would like to start planning for our 2011 Mystery Dinner Theatre Fundraiser. I am interested in Murdered by the Mob. Would I be able to get a sample of this script?
Thanks again! I look forward to hearing from you.”
Becky Ohm
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center
“Jim,
I love all of them – this was a really hard decision. After discussion with key people we’ve decided on “Let’s Host a Murder”
Peace & Blessings”
Cathy, UUCJ
“We already had the Murder Rides Again sample but we would like the Las Vegas one if you have it. I really loved the Murder Rides. Could we get a quote on running 4 shows? It looks like we will probably be ordering the Las Vegas script for December so I will leave it for now. We do have a client that is interested in having us do “A Prom to Die For” in June. I would like a sample for that one. We will be doing the Murder Rides Again in July so I will order the script soon.
Thanks”
Leanne, Red Carpet Events
“I’m a director of a dinner theatre company, and I’m interested in looking at some of your Killer Scripts. I’d like to read Murdered by the Mob, Who Killed the King?, and Text M for Murder. Would you be able to email me a copy of these for me to browse? We’ll be producing the show this summer, so I’ll be making a decision on the script and discussing rights for our performances very quickly…
…Ah, very funny (Murder By The Mob)! I’ll discuss the script with my committee tonight and get back to you.
Thanks!”
Brett M.
“I have to confess: I’m quite taken by the script for Text M for Murder! Could you possibly send a royalty quote for that particular show? We would probably only do one performance. Thank you for the samples — it took me a while to get around to reading them; I was on vacation when we chatted with very limited internet and downloading capabilities.”
Susan H.
“Jim-
We wrapped up our final production of Marriage Can Be Murder last night.
This show was very well received by our audiences, and I must say, I thought this show was extremely funny. Great job on a very well written script. With our pre-show/between acts ad libs, the audience loved the participation. We absolutely want to do one of your shows again. Can you suggest one in particular? Do you have any show that have children in it? The reason I ask is our daughter (16) and son (10) really want to be in a show. Thank you so much for this opportunity. We will gladly perform your work in the New Orleans area!!”
Kirk,
What A Night Productions
Hi James,
“It is time again for me to start working on our mystery dinner fundraiser. I was wondering if I could get samples of the following plays: “Marriage Can Be Murder”, “Here’s Killing You, Kid”, “Death by Doo-Wop” and “And the Killer is…”.
Thank you!”
Becky O.
South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center
“With so many interesting scripts it was tough to decide. May we review the following scripts?
Death by Disco
Game Show Murders
Let’s Host a Murder
Murder at the Class Reunion
Text M for Murder
Thank you very much.”
Elias E.
“Our organization produces a Mystery dinner theatre in our small town as a fund raiser for our church….strictly amateur.
I am wondering if your scripts are available for sale for our church. It would be for one weekend only. I love some of your ideas.
Thanks.”
Margie B.
Hi James,
“I’m interested in producing Frankly Scarlet, Your Dead, Death By Doo-Wop and Happy Holiday Whodunnit. Could I please get a digital sample of each of these scripts. My plan is to begin my next season in late January and do 4 shows (3 are yours and the remaining one is written by one of our own). I’m not sure in what order I’ll do these shows, so I’d like to samples of each of the three. Each of your shows, Death By Disco, Murder Rides Again and Murder at the Family Reunion, has sold out for the entire run. Thank you in advance. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.”
Steve Munz, Director
Murder, Is Served, LLC
Jim…
“We’re considering doing another dinner theatre show later in the spring. Unfortunately, our last venue closed its doors. We are looking for a new place…and have the potential for a western setting. As I recall, you had a script for a Gunsmoke-based western. Could you send us a copy to evaluate with the others we’re looking at? We sure enjoyed your “Here’s Killing You, Kid”…and look forward to our panel reviewing your “Gunsmoke” script.”
Wes Campbell
“Hi. Just wanted to let you know that we presented Death Takes a Vacation this past Saturday night. It was a complete success and blast!
Don’t know if you’re interested in what we did with it, so in case you are, I’ll share and if you’re not, just delete now!
Before the show, Missy Camponella (we couldn’t find a guy so I played Sonny, but changed the name to Missy which then gave us some other difficulties with some of the lines but we worked it through), Lucinda L’Amour and Big Johnny Donnegan wandered around table to table introducing ourselves and asking if they had brought their cheque books or VISA cards. We used our power point and had a slide up of the Sandy Beach Ocean Front Resort logo that we created. Would you believe that there were a few people who were ready to leave because they actually thought this was a time share … recreational equity futures … presentation!!! We had a few “deer caught in the headlight” looks! I’m also the minister and a few visitors wanted to meet the minister and asked if I was her, so I had to keep saying that I was Missy, head sales rep. It was quite funny.
We had a musician who was playing Caribbean type music. Before the show Lucinda also gave a couple of announcements, including that there would be some resort contests between the acts and they would have to fill out a ballot later in the evening. Everytime the name of the resort was mentioned, she got the audience singing the chorus to “Hot, Hot, Hot” with some arm actions. We couldn’t believe how quick they caught on and they loved it! In Act II when Johnny said that he had problems, the musician then sang “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, nobody knows my sorrow!” Everytime Val would talk about the program, he would make a box with his hands pro – gram On pro, his hands would be parallel vertically and on gram they would be parallel horizontally. So whether he mentioned “program” or Valerie, they always made the square. When Valerie talked about Lucinda’s program, she did two hip checks and the musician accented the checks with the drum. Between the acts we had “resort games” … fishing derby (kiddy pool with water and kiddy fishing game); target shooting (ping pong type balls in a gun into a sand bucket) and then sand castle with marshmallows and toothpicks. And of course guess the murderer.
Everyone had a great time. Thank you again for this fun ministry (well, for us it’s a ministry!)
We’ll probably be calling again in a year!
Blessings,”
Evelyn McLachlan (Rev.)
Eden United Church
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
I’m also attaching the program we created for the evening.
“Hi Jim,
We spoke on the phone the other day and you sent me the sample of A marriage to die for. We think that is very funny and we are excited about using this script for our fundraiser. I don’t know if its possible to get the remaining parts of this script by tomorrow or not but if it is it would be appreciated as we practice every Sunday night. If it is possible please give me a call at the number I have included above. If not I will be calling you Monday. From what I can see so far though I must say, excellent job on this script. Thanks and I look forward to hearing back from you. “
Scott Hulmes,
Rockford Improv
“We are interested in using your Death by Do Wop script for our Murder Mystery Dinner production in April 2011. We did Death by Disco several years ago and it was a HUGE success…
…Hi Jim, The script looks great!”
Laura Belle
Ramapo Valley Baptist Church
“Hi Jim
We really liked the script and plan to do the show in July in conjunction with The Medicine Hat Stampede. I think we would have four or five performances of it. Could you quote me a price. We also would like to see samples of “And the Killer Is”, “Murder Las Vegas Style” and “Game Show Murders”. We are looking at doing something at the local Casino and Convention Centre.
Thanks for your help.”
Leanne Dillman
Red Carpet Events
“I am the drama leader for our church drama team. We will be doing a dinner theater in May. We looked at your synopses on this website and we voted on using Text M For Murder. We find it’s content very apropo for this day and age. Please let me know how I can purchase the script from you ASAP”
Patti Leamon
“Mr. Daab,
Per our discussion earlier, we would like to go ahead and purchase a copy of “Marriage Can Be Murder”. I think it will be perfect for us. As soon as we get a copy of the contract I will print it and fax it back to you. If we can get it today that would be great – we have a staff meeting coming up and I would like to show it to everyone.
Thanks so much for all your help.”
Tiffany F. Daniel
Activity Coordinator
Covenant Place of Gardendale
“Hi James,
I liked every one of them! I’m going to start with “Murder at the Family Reunion” and then progress from there. I’ve done a show somewhat recently that had a wedding theme, and about a year ago, did the Alto’s (so the mob script seems to need a bit of space). Thanks for your support. Let’s get this one going. I’ll call you and give you the credit card info for the royalties for Reunion. I plan to open on May 27th and do 6 performances, ending on June 11th.
Disco has been the hit of our season. The audiences have just been crazy over this show. I’m sad that, due to conflicts, my film crew won’t be able to film this show, but I’ll have enough other stuff that I can send you to give you a flavor of what we did.
Thanks and I’ll be talking to you soon.”
Steve Munz
Murder, Is Served
“Hi Jim,
I enjoyed reading all three, but I have to be careful what I choose because we perform in the lower level of the church. You may remember that last year we did “Murder Las
Vegas Style”. It was very well received! Would it be possible to send me the rest of “Murder Rides Again!”?”
Carol Randolph-Director
Assumption Theatre Guild
Pittsburgh, PA.
“Hello,
I am the drama specialist at a youth development organization. About 7 years ago I was teaching at another organization and my Youth Theater Co. performed ”Death by Disco” It was an amazing experience and we were so happy we to have found your script. So here I am again asking for more information to obtain/purchase script to do 1 show. I was wondering if you can send me a sample of both scripts, to see which would be more appropriate for my students to do (If possible)
Looking forward to hearing from you.”
Marlyn Matias,
New York, NY
“Hi James,
We opened Murder at the Family Reunion last night to a packed house (94) and everyone had a great time and really enjoyed the show. Death By Disco was also a HUGE hit and I’ve just gotten the DVD and I’ll forward a copy to you when I get it duplicated.
For now, I’d like a digital copy of Murder Rides Again as soon as possible. We open on August 5th and will run 3 weekends (total of 6 shows) ending on August 20th. Same venue (Cork Room of the Chateau Restaurant).Thanks, James. Look forward to hearing from you.”
Steve Munz, Director
Murder, Is Served, LLC
“Good afternoon, I sent a message to you from your site last week, I am following up now with a direct email to make sure you receiveit. I am the new Theatre Director at Cactus High School in Glendale, Arizona. I saw Death by Disco several years ago, and loved it. I would like to stage it as a straight comedy production this October, not as a for-profit dinner theater. I was hoping to negotiate with you a fair rate, so we can present this wonderful play this Fall.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you!…
…Thanks for your time this morning. We are very excited to kick off the new Theater Department at Cactus High School with an exciting production of Death by Disco by James Daab!”
A. Scott Johnson
Cactus High School
Theatre/Drama Director
“The Cedar Falls Public Library plans to host a Murder Mystery in November of this year. We would like to purchase the one-time use of the ”Die Claudius” script.”
Carol Keyser
Hello,
I would like to purchase the script for ”Murder at the Class Reunion”. It would be performed at a fundraiser at Eden United Church. It would be performed in May 2012. We have used your scripts before and really enjoy them.
Terri Hill
“Mr. Daab,
We are excited about ALL THIS TALK IS KILLING ME! We just went through the remaining scripts on the site and we are looking at “Death By Disco,” “Murdered By the Mob,” “And The Killer Is…” I was wondering if it would be possible to get samples of these so that we could read through them at our next rehearsal. Please let me know, if you would prefer to send one at a time I would like to start with Death By Disco. Thank You So much!”
V/r
Nathan L Henderson
“Hello,
I am Ryan Decker, president of UNISTA (the University of Northern Iowa Student Theatre Association). Last year UNISTA and our partner organization, Alpha Psi Omega, were hired by the Cedar Falls Public Library to produce your play Who Killed the Boss? This year, they have asked us back to perform another of your plays – Die Claudius!
In addition to returning to the Cedar Falls Public Library, UNISTA has been asked to fill a one-act performance slot at the 2011 Iowa Thespians Festival. The performances are free and presented to Iowa high school theatre students and teachers. We think Die Claudius! would be a great fit.”
“Hello there, Anna didn’t give me your name, but I spoke with her on the phone this evening(afternoon) and she was brilliant as a first contact with your company. About 9 months ago I started researching company’s in the USA that provide scripts for mystery dinner theatre. I found your company and liked the ease of how your page was set up and the synopsis of scripts. I am now about to pitch for venue and finances but wanted to talk to you a bit before taking a meeting with my backers as I am definitely interested in your scripts. The biggest obstacle is I’m an American in Scotland, and I would be using one of your scripts to suit a Scottish audience. I have looked at 5 possibles but would like to speak with you in person. Could we set up a time that it would be convenient to speak, taking into consideration I am 5 hours ahead.
Thank you and looking forward to doing business with you”
Wendy Byrd-Meldrum, Phd. Psyc.
“Thanks, James, for the samples. We really like the “Marriage Can Be Murder” script. Is there any way you can let us read the entire script seeing how the murder happens? We are very interested in that one and also need to know what the royalty fees and usage terms are. Thanks.”
Loretta Geotis
“Hi Mr. Daab,
It’s hilarious (Murdered By The Mob). We would like to present it May 2012. We are developing a new dinner theater in our town. We are looking at possibly 4 performances and would like to use your play as our kickoff! Cost of script? Royalities? Thank you so much for the sample.”
Carol Velasques Richardson, Producing Director
Alachua Children’s Theater
“Hey Jim,
It looks like we’re a go for “Murder Rides Again” this February and we’re looking at 12 performances this time.”
Sean McCall
Old Creamery Theater
“James,
This is Dan Rhoads from Whale Gulch School. We bought the Die Claudius script a few weeks back. So far the rehearsals are going well and the kids love it!”
“Everyone had a good time at the Death By Disco performance–thank
you for all of your help. Here are some pictures from the event:
http://picasaweb.google.com/cfplinfodesk/DeathByDisco2010
We had local high school drama students perform and had a good turnout. You mentioned that you would send a sample of the Who Killed The Boss? script that we were interested in using this fall…would it be possible to still get that?”
Carol K., Cedar Falls Public Library
“Three of us came up this weekend and saw And the Killer is… and Fashion to Die For! We had a great time. Congratulations on two very funny shows I’d like to start Marriage Can Be Murder! as soon as I can get a copy.”
Tom. C., Director, The Savannah Community Theatre
“First off, I would like to tell you what a blast it was to put on Death by Disco! The show was a success for us. The audience loved it. “We would like to start planning for our 2011 Mystery Dinner Theatre fundraiser. I am interested in Murdered by the Mob. Thanks again!”
Becky O., South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center
“Just wanted to let you know that
our dinner theatre went great! Everyone really enjoyed the whole experience, and appreciated the quality of the script. As an actor and aspiring director, I really respected how good the script was and felt privileged to perform it…we look forward to purchasing other scripts from you in the future.”
Taylor P.
“We really liked the Murder Rides Again! script and plan to do the show in July in conjunction with The Medicine Hat Stampede. I think we would have four or five performances of it. Could you quote me a price?
We also would like to see samples of And the Killer Is, Murder Las Vegas Style and Game Show Murders. We are looking at doing something at the local Casino and Convention Centre.”
Leanne D., Red Carpet Events
“I love all of them – this was a really hard decision. After discussion with key people we’ve decided on Let’s Host a Murder. “
Cathy C., UUCJ
“I just wanted to let you know that we performed Murdered by the Mob! last night at our yacht club. It was so well received. People were so entertained. They just thought it was hilarious. Thanks again for your great script and material. It went swimmingly (with the fishes) smile, smile.”
Justine R.
“We spoke on the phone the other day and you sent me the sample of Marriage Can Be Murder! We think that is very funny and we are excited about using this script for our fundraiser. From what I can see so far though I must say, excellent job on this script. Thanks!
Scott H., Rockford Improv
“Hi Jim,
Well we just finished with Murder At The Family Reunion and it was huge success for us. We had 5 sold out shows with a waiting list in case of cancellations! We are replacing the church roof so it was a big help in our
fund raising drive. Everyone says it was our best yet. Thanks again for another fun filled script.
Next spring we want to try Who Killed The King? Our group enjoys the period / costumed themes. We want to do 6 performances in May.”
Jane B., Presteign-Woodbine United Church
“We are interested in using your Death by Doo- Wop script for our Murder Mystery Dinner production in April 2011. We did Death by Disco several years ago and it was a HUGE success.”
Laura B.,Ramapo Valley Baptist Church
“Just wanted to let you know that we presented Death Takes a Vacation this past Saturday night. It was a complete success and blast! We did Murder Rides Again! about 1.5 years ago and everyone LOVED it!! We had so much fun. We’ll probably be calling again in a year!”
Rev. Evelyn M., Eden United Church
“Hi James,
We are about to go into production with Disco on the 18th, so I’m ready to select my next show. I’d like to read a bit of Murder at the Family Reunion and Text ‘M’ for Murder. If you can send me a few pages each so I can get the “flavor”, I’d appreciate it. Sales are brisk for Disco and we anticipate a great response. Thanks.”
Steve M., Murder is Served
“Hey James – Long time no email, huh? Hope 2011 is going well for you in the DC area. Things actually got off to a very successful start here for us in Iowa thanks in large part to you and your very fun script!
Audiences really enjoyed our first foray into the Murder Mystery dinner genre and we really appreciate you helping us take that first slightly scary step. I certainly think you and I will be talking about another title for early 2012 (maybe the western?) and I hope this is the beginning of a nice partnership that is beneficial to us all.
Along those lines though, the restaurant where we did the show in February is actually interested in trying a few summer dates as well for Marriage Can Be Murder, and we’re game if you are. At the moment, it looks like it would be another 4 performances. Let me know at your earliest convenience and thanks again!”
Sean M., Artistic Director, The Old Creamery Theatre Company, Amana, IA
Tags: Killer Scripts, Reviews
