SLAY IT WITH MUSIC - by Paul Katz and Michael Colby

 

 "Slasher Movie" - Featured in A STAGE KINDLY presents "Debut" and "Encore", "You're There When I Need You" featured in "Encore".

 

SLAY IT WITH MUSIC is an original musical in the "Grande Dame Guignol" tradition of SUNSET BOULEVARD, THE BAD SEED, and WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?   It tells the saga of Enid Beaucoup, a fading, forgotten Hollywood star of the 40s.  Cooped up in her spooky California home-attended by Zachary, her compulsive retainer-she has been approached to make a film comeback.  However, given Enid's past-in which she was implicated in the murder of her coiffeur/lover (Grant Foster)-Zachary isn't sure Enid should make this film:  a slasher movie, CHOP CHOP.

Adding to the complications, Enid's sister Marcy-a TV star-arrives for a visit.  Marcy's soap opera POUGHKEEPSIE has just been axed by the network, so Marcy can no longer afford to help maintain Enid's home.  Marcy also demands that Enid not make the slasher movie, because it could remind the public of past scandal.  Thereupon, Enid "accidentally" breaks her sister's leg.

Marcy is forced to stay in the house, where Enid and Zachary can care for her and where Marcy reluctantly helps Enid rehearse for the slasher movie.  Meanwhile, Marcy's scoundrel ex-husband, Chad Walker, tracks her down.  Desperate for money, he barges into the house and gets in a tiff with Enid:  she kills him in self-defense. Marcy discovers the body, whereupon Enid locks Marcy up to keep her quiet.  As Marcy vainly tries to escape, Enid marches off to start her first day of filming CHOP CHOP.  More bedlam occurs, as Rosemarie Clinger, a movie fan, sneaks into the house.  Rosemarie is viciously murdered, her screams heard by Marcy.  Hours later, Enid-fired after one day's shooting-confronts Marcy.  Surprise revelations (including one reminiscent of PSYCHO) follow, resulting in the sisters' reconciliation-but only momentarily.  At curtain, the sisters are back-fighting as vociferously as ever. Requires a cast of 6 (four females, two males; cast can be expanded) and unit set.  Visit website: http://www.michaelcolby.com/slayitwithmusic.html