1920s Murder/Mystery Play-Makes History in Louisville With an All Black Cast

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“MURDER IN HARLEM” is the latest theatrical performance created by Leslie Pryor Productions (LPP). The Louisville, KY based production company has become so synonymous with faith-based original stage plays – many have dubbed its owner, Leslie Pryor, with the nickname “Louisville’s Tyler Perry.”

This past Sunday LPP hosted two separate performances of Murder in Harlem. The production company would make history by becoming the first black-owned, women-led production company in Louisville – to write an original Murder/Mystery play and professionally produce it with an all-black cast.

Over the past ten years, LPP has created eight previous productions – which have all centered around a traditional stage play format. However, the ninth installment, Murder in Harlem, strayed from the norm – providing a Murder/Mystery experience, in which the audience would participate in identifying the killer.

Typically LPP hosts its stage plays at venues that seat 250-2000 patrons. They are usually full-scale theatre style productions, with lighting, props and stage curtains. With Murder in Harlem, LPP opted for a more intimate experience – by hosting the production at the Shawnee Golf Course Clubhouse, located in Louisville’s West End.

The venue serves as a small event space that seats 100 people at ten round tables and twelve rectangular tables.

The smaller space is not equipped with a stage, major sound system or lighting, so the audience received an up-front personal experience that isn’t obtainable with larger venues.

The performers would carryout the entire production at the south end of the clubhouse – while the audience observed from their assigned tables – feasting on a complimentary two-course meal.

The production was themed as a 1920s style Murder/Mystery, located inside a Harlem speakeasy. The all-black cast was dressed in formal nightclub attire, which perfectly captured the “gangster prohibition” era of the 1920s.

As a twist, the audience was encouraged to dress in 1920s attire as well. Following each show, a “best dressed” contest was held for audience members who wore costumes.

The plot of the production is based around a murder that takes place in Harlem’s Premier Jazz Club, during the historic “Roaring 20s” prohibition era. The Roaring 1920s is the height of the Jazz music era, as well as the culture of bootleggers and gangsters.

Fred Cook, the owner of the nightclub, who is also the son of a prominent bootlegger and mob boss, is murdered in his club – and one of his employees is thought to be the killer. The audience is left to solve the mystery by guessing who the murderer is.

Throughout the two-hour production, the audience would be asked to look for hidden clues, which were often strategically placed under their chairs or hidden on their dinner tables.

The brief intermissions were enjoyable, as the audience would be entertained by live saxophonist Bennie J. Smith and comedic relief by host Johnathan Johnson. The live Jazz saxophonist would further the ambience of an authentic 1920s speakeasy experience.

Additionally, LPP followed its tradition of inserting an encrypted educational message into the script. A women’s empowerment theme was subtlety worked into the production, to provide awareness to women’s rights and discrimination.

Durung an intermission break, following the first couple of acts – each audience member was provided index cards to write down who they believed the killer to be – and what the motive was.

The cards were then collected by the host. At the end of the production, those who guessed the killer and motive correctly – won trips to Hawaii, Chicago or other destinations – as prizes provided by Kecia Sloss of House 2 Homes Reality.

Leslie Pryor Productions continues to raise the theatrical bar with each production. Murder in Harlem is equally suspenseful, as entertaining.

The company continues to provide professionally written productions and top tier acting. Live performances are extremely difficult to produce -yet LPP continues to create flawless experiences.

Credits:
Writer/Director: Leslie Pryor
Director: Robert Thompson
Stage Managers: Tricy Majors & Sharon Kent

Host: Johnathan Johnson

Cast:
Derron Rowan: “Poppy” the Security
Gwen Evans: “Dorothy”
Everett Ezell: “Willie Short”
Marquita Howerton: “Josephine” (owners wife)
Gwen Jeffery: “Ruby Short”
Monica Bullard: The Detective