Monday, September 24, 2012

MURDER FOR DUMMIES photo cavalcade

Here is a photo cavalcade of images from MURDER FOR DUMMIES:
Mean old Aunt Agatha and her Nurse Christie

Vera Charlemame arrives

Gloria Vanderby, Larchmont the butler, and Vera break out into an
impromptu dance number

Glora welcomes Corky and Lester

Everyone gathers after dinner to be entertained by Lester

Tension between William Vanderby and Vera Charlemame

Lester prepares to do his routine for the Vanderby family and guests

William Vanderby is stabbed!!

Tension between William and his sone Quentin

Major Catsup stabbed!!!

Moving the major to the boat house

Aunt Agatha knows a secret!

Sybil and Lester w/ Corky worry about who is to be murdered next

Sergeant Papert and Detective Bainbridge arrive on the scene

Despite the hangover, Vera loves a good mystery 

Corky vows to discover the identity of the killer

The climax of the play

Lester and Corky perform at the Rainbow Room

Corky relaxes on the set

Gloria is winded after her dance number

Lester and Corky

Lester shows Sybil the secret of ventriloquism

Nurse Christie is driven to drink by her employer

Vera always larger than life

Vera is sweet on Corky


Sunday, September 23, 2012

MURDER FOR DUMMIES WORLD PREMIERE

Sergeant Papert is a fan of Corky's.
MURDER FOR DUMMIES-

"Murder For Dummies: a murder-mystery comedy in two acts by Philip L. Nichols, Jr. " had its world premiere on September 13th, at Houston's Country Playhouse.  Phil is a well known director there, and is also directing a production of Frankenstein  for the October slot.
Murder For Dummies was a huge success being cheered by audiences!

Major Catsup was stabbed on the living room sofa...who dunnit?
Phil, who wrote the play stars in the role of his main character, the Great Lester Winchell, a radio star ventriloquist who is invited to a posh country manner to provide entertaiment for the weekend gathering of Millionaire William Vanderby and his family. Set in 1930, and cast with a cavalcade of wacky characters, it is a funny whodunnit!

Vera wishes Corky a good night.
The very same weekend Lester and Corky arrive to entertain at Vanderby Manner, Hurricane Clementine hammers the area trapping the party indoors, and that is when ...a murder happens!  One, two, and three murders occur! It is up to The Great Lester and his pal Corky to solve the mystery and save the day!  Featuring film actress Yankie Grant as Vera Charlemame, a has been actress with a thing for Corky, the laughs never stop coming!

In the spirit of "Charlie McCarthy Detective" and "Clue", this is a comedy farce that will leave you laughing!

What critics had to say about Phil's ventriloquial skills: 

"Philip L. Nichols, Jr., is a marvelous ventriloquist named Lester Winchell and is delightful to experience with his doll, Corky O’Nelson."- Buzz Bellmont/ local theatre blogger.



Phil Nichols is The Great Lester w/ Corky O' Nelson.
"Doing triple duty as playwright, Lester Winchell, and Corky O’Nelson, Philip L. Nichols, Jr.’s ventriloquism skills are front and center in the production. Trained by Edgar Bergen, he fantastically delivers the ventriloquist illusion. I can’t recall ever seeing ventriloquism performed in real-life until this show, and I found myself particularly amazed by how well Philip L. Nichols, Jr. can throw his voice." -David Clarke/Broadway World.Com
The Great Lester explains the art of ventriloquism to Heiress Sybil Vanderby who
has a crush on the ventriloquial super star.
Video clips from this performance will be available on the TEXAS VENTS YOUTUBE CHANNEL very soon!