Following two sold-out seasons in Sydney, Murder for Two, the whodunit comedy musical from Hayes Theatre Co., will make its way to the Fairfax Studio – Arts Centre Melbourne from 15 – 25 August 2024.
Blending mystery, mayhem and music this witty parody of the classic murder mystery sees Maverick Newman and TikTok sensation Gabbi Bolt play 13 outrageous roles (and the piano).
Bolt stars as Officer Marcus Moscowicz, 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 fatally shot. With the nearest detective an hour away, Marcus jumps at the chance to prove his sleuthing skills.
Performing as the remaining 12 characters, Newman switches between Whitney’s scene-stealing wife Dahlia Whitney, the prima ballerina Barrette Lewis, the overly friendly psychiatrist Dr. Griff and the birthday party’s other murder suspects.
With book and lyrics by Kellen Blair and music by Joe Kinosian, Murder for Two first premiered in 2011 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The Hayes Theatre Co. production with direction from Co-Artistic Director Richard Carroll premiered last year to stellar reviews, a sold-out run, and another sold-out festive return season.
“Hayes audiences loved Murder for Two so much that we brought it back for a second sold-out season, just months after its premiere,” said Director Richard Carroll. “I’ve always known that this riotous, high-wire comedy is a perfect match for Melbourne’s theatre-loving audiences, and I can’t wait to bring it to Arts Centre Melbourne for its biggest season yet.”
Murder for Two
Fairfax Studio – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Season: 15 – 25 August 2024
Information and Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
Ahead of the production’s Melbourne premiere, Murder for Two will feature as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival (19 – 21 June) and return to Sydney at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta (9 – 10 August).
Image: Gabbi Bolt and Maverick Newman – photo by Phil Erbacher