Do you think it’s a simple task to write a murder? Well, just ask the Marquis Crossing Ladies Society for the Arts. They embraced the challenge when they discovered they needed to pay royalties to perform someone else’s play. “Writing a murder is a piece of cake,” Emma confidently states, leading Opaline to comically attempt to strangle the other members, all in the name of research.

The ladies soon find themselves creating an “operatic murder mystery dinner theater with potential audience participation, as long as no one sells fruit to the attendees.” Things take an unexpected turn when two real convicts show up on the run, seeking refuge with the ladies, who can’t resist involving them in their play.

As the story unfolds, it becomes unclear what’s part of the play and what’s genuinely happening. This witty farce keeps everyone guessing, as no one can distinguish between loaded and unloaded guns. Audrey sums up the ladies’ intentions: “All we really want is to throttle a congressman,” which might be justified given the circumstances. After all, this is the Marquis Crossing Ladies Society’s First Attempt At Murder.