The Nifty-Fifites Malt Shop Murder
A quintessential 1950s mom, June Seevers, and her committee are working hard to win the "Small Town USA" title and a cash prize for their town of Sunnydale. The judges are due in two days to verify that it is, indeed, an All-American, apple pie-eating, crime-free hamlet. Did we say crime free? Then what about the mysterious customer at the Malt Shop who falls over dead during the committee's final meeting? It looks like he was poisoned, and the victim's sister may be a committee member! But who? With the help of her family, the prissy librarian, and even the goofy deputy sheriff, June manages to unmask the killer, but not before the killer tries to outsmart - and silence the amateur sleuth.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
PLAYWRIGHT CRAIG SODARO TALKS ABOUT
"THE NIFTY-FIFTIES MALT SHOP MURDER"
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
A: I thought a fifties murder mystery would be a lot of fun and where else to set it but a mythical fifties' malt shop?
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY?
A: I particularly enjoy the June Seevers character because she's the iconic fifties mom, but she also thinks for herself and is quite capable of solving a murder. The Sheriff and Huey provide a couple of other very enjoyable moments and the Sheriff's illness really gives June the motivation to get things under control.
Q: WHAT, IF ANYTHING, WERE THE CHALLENGES IN WRITING THIS PLAY?
A: I didn't find anything particularly difficult in creating "The Nifty-Fifties Malt Shop Murder." In fact, I enjoyed digging up the slang and looking for all the period details that I could work into the script.
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
A: The most important thing with this play is simply to have a lot of fun. I hope the mystery will be secondary to the comic moments and the fifties atmosphere. Having a fifties-style refreshment stand before the show and during the intermission with popcorn, Milk Duds, milkshakes, and so on, would be a lot of fun.