To Wake the Dead

By Lee Mueller

A murder mystery Comedy play - Renown Supernatural Mystery writer Fred Finnegan has died under unusual circumstances and all his friends have gathered at his wake. His friend and literary agent Lenord Elmore presides over the wake along with Fred's widow Joyce. Also in attendance are all of Fred's old friends: ex-police Chief Wambaugh and officer Francis. Danny Runyon, a reformed "wise guy" and his doll (date) Peaches Marie Crabtree. Agatha Fletcher, a news reporter from the Associated Wire. There is also a faction of the 'Fredrick Finnegan Fan Club' at the wake: president Stephanie King, vice-president Deanna Koonz and secretary, Clyde Barker. The wake starts off in a traditional nature with good old Irish toasts and amusing stories about Freddie and his life, but the circumstances of Freddie's death keep coming into question. The one guest who would appreciate answers is Fred Finnegan himself. Problem is, only the nerd-ish Clyde Barker has the gift to "hear" dead people. Can Freddie use Clyde to find the answers he needs? Was Fred murdered by someone at the wake? He's dying to find out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Mueller
• Release date: Mar 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005014629

Lee Mueller

Lee Anians-Mueller was born in St. Louis, Missouri. For thirty years he has been involved in the performing arts, from acting to directing, and most notably as a playwright.Starting on stage as an actor in High School, through college, and onto Community theatre. Lee even made it to the silver screen as a sewer dweller in Escape From New YorkLee spent many years in the trenches of the St. Louis Comedy club circuit in comedy sketch/improv groups: The Way Off-Broadway Players The Bottom Line, and Wit's End; - as a performer and writer. It wasn't long before the world of acting in plays and writing comedy sketches merged and he began writing plays for fun.His first one-act play, In Between Days; was selected to be produced during a national writers conference at local Missouri College. His second one-act, The Favor was chosen as a finalist in a short play competition by Pamoja Players in St. Louis.For the past 15 years, Lee has specialized in comedy murder mystery plays that have been produced all over the world. In 2007 his play Murder Me Alway spent a month on the stage of the Laugh Factory in New York - so technically Lee likes to say one of his scripts played Off-Broadway.His play Death Of A Doornail won Best Original Comedy" at the 27th Annual Arty Awards in Fairfield California.His 12-minute short play The Thing That Happened was featured at SKits in Dramanon Hyderabad, India, and won Best Original Play.

Book preview

TO WAKE THE DEAD

A Comedy Murder Mystery Play

LEE MUELLER

Playedwell Publishing

Copyright © 2000 by Lee Mueller

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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Caution: Professionals and amateurs are hereby advised that TO WAKE THE DEAD is subject to a royalty. It is fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America and of all countries covered by International

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To Wake The Dead was originally produced and staged

by Affton CenterStage in March 1999 at Royal Orleans

This work is dedicated to Jack Ables who suggested an idea that turned into a concept that eventually became this play. You never know when writers hear your idea and take you seriously. You might just end up in a dedication somewhere, someday.

CONTENTS

Characters

Act One

Act Two

About the Author

Also by Lee Mueller

CHARACTERS

Leonard Elmore - a literary agent for the Late Fred Finnegan.

Joyce Finnegan - Wife of the late Fred Finnegan. Strong and dedicated wife who loved her husband dearly.

Chief Wambaugh - hard nosed ex police chief.

Danny Runyon- a somewhat shady wise guy.

Peaches Marie Crabtree - is Danny's Doll.

Agatha Fletcher - news reporter for the Associated Wire.

Officer Francis - basically is a "lackey' for Chief Wambaugh.

Stephanie King - president of the Freddie Finnegan fan club.

Deanna Koonz - also a member of the Fan Club.

Clyde Barker - fan club member. Most likely is a fan of Star Trek as well.

Fred Finnegan - a ghost of his former self. A fun-loving spirit who is trying to answer a major question.

Irish Ghost at End - an Irish spirit that helps Fred in his quest.

ACT ONE

Preshow Music: Traditional Instrumental or Vocal Irish Music

Presets: Chief Wambaugh is seated at a table somewhere in the middle of room. Danny and Peaches are seated at a table relatively close to Chief Wambaugh. Deena, Stephanie and Clyde are seated at a table at far end i.e. next close to aisle /wall -having open space on one side of them is important. Prior to show they should come in -in character -mingle etc. Finally Lenny and Joyce should enter -a few moments prior to start time -each holds a drink -Joyce has a handkerchief.

Lenny and Joyce take stage. .

LENNY: [clears throat] If I could have everyone’s attention? [wait for simmering] Thank you. As most of you know, I’m Leonard Elmore. On behalf of Joyce and the family, I would like to thank you all for coming this evening. [Deep sigh]. If anyone were to tell me.. a week ago, I’d be at Fred’s wake today, well, I’d have a few choice words for them. But I’d owe them an apology wouldn’t I? Because here I am, here we all are.. at Fred Finnegan's’ wake. [Beat] Most of us remember Fred as.. well, an amazing fellow. A good friend and a great writer. He could spin a tale, whether it was his murder mysteries or the supernatural thrillers, Finnegan could keep you turning the page. Which was great for me, I was his editor and publishing agent. Anyway, this evening, we're here in memory and celebration. It's really unfortunate he couldn't be here. Fred always told me that he'd love to attend his own wake. If anything, just to see who would show up. I do see a lot of people here that Fred would be honored to know did show up. Former police Chief Wambaugh. Pulitzer prize-winning writer, P. D. Jamison. Harry Higgens Clark. The list goes on. In honor of Freddie’s wish, about being at his own wake, we have this empty chair up here, just in case. And if he were here, I’m sure he’d be spicing up the evening with his stories and jokes. Especially his jokes. [Smiles and chuckles] I can almost hear him now..

FRED: [from across room] Hey Lenny! [this is as a continuation, not an interruption -there should be no delay in this dialogue exchange ]

LENNY: He would call from across the room.

FRED: Why did the Germans invent the wheelbarrow?

LENNY: I don’t know Freddie, I would say, why did the Germans invent the wheelbarrow