Seven characters through required Jethro/Jethrene doubling
Interactive Musical-Comedy Murder Mystery
The Capitol
Hillbillies
The White House has gone country.
The investigation has gone missing.
America wanted a simpler man in the White House.
It may have overcorrected.The Mystery
Air Force One is on blocks. Grammy has a still in the East Wing. Now somebody is dead.
Ozark hillbilly turned billionaire Jeb Clampett has ridden his “regular guy” charm all the way to the presidency, bringing the whole family along for the move. His nephew Jethro is running the Justice Department. Grammy is Surgeon General. And White House Chief of Staff Jane Haveaway is the last competent person in Washington.
Behind the front-porch diplomacy, Vice President Milburn Dripdrysdale is steering the administration toward a profitable war with San Guano—until his society-minded wife accidentally negotiates peace. Then a White House toast leaves investigative reporter Jethrene Bovine dead.
With international tensions rising and Jethro newly promoted to “double-naught spy,” the suspects face the audience. The guests question the administration, follow the clues and decide who turned a political farce into murder.
At a Glance
Small cast. Big office. Absolutely no adult supervision.
Three acts designed around dinner service and interaction
Reporters, cabinet members and one visiting president
Parody, physical comedy and a fair-play mystery
The Audience Is in the Administration
The press conference is live. So is the suspect questioning.
Six guests step briefly into the story as reporters, officials and the President of San Guano. The cast coaches them through short scripted exchanges, so volunteers need no advance preparation.
After the murder, the whole room becomes the investigative committee. Audience questions put the suspects on the spot; Detective Cards record each guest’s theory before Act Three reveals the solution.
Evidence from the West Wing
A reporter’s notebook. A suspicious toast. A tire gauge with security clearance.
The clues are in plain sight. Understanding the people who left them there is the hard part.
Production History
Three administrations. One very resilient investigation.
Original Mystery Theatre Unlimited run, September–November
First revival, July–August
Second revival, January–March
Ideal Producing Environments
Dinner theatresCommunity theatresFundraisers
Civic organizationsCorporate eventsPrivate events
Production Information & Script
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