The Frying Pan Murder: A Musical? Synopsis

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Reproduction of this play, either in part, or in its entirety,
is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author.

A World Premier Play
In the tradition of Sweeney Todd...
From an original concept by Jeff Lowe

Based on a factual accounting
from the life of the author.

Book and Lyrics by Jeff Lowe
Music and Orchestration by John Casella
Vocal Arangement by Wayne Goodman

"The Frying Pan Murder"
http://www.fryingpanmurder.com/
Bludgeoning its way into theatres in 2010!

The Facts:

The dark events of The Frying Pan Murder© begin in 1980. Three women plotted, planned, and carried out the brutal “murder by bludgeoning” of Dr. John Bradford.

In Melbourne, Florida on March 28, 1980, a local optometrist was beaten to death with a cast-iron skillet by his second wife (Priscilla Bradford) as two of the doctors employees (Joyce Cummings and Janice Gould, the former being my girlfriend, and the latter Priscilla's lesbian lover), and the doctor's teenage step-daughter (Eden Bradford), watched and cheered her on.

The doctor had been in practice for years and was well-known in the community. His noteriety was enhanced by repeaded allegations of the groping of female patients; a fact not lost on many women in town who thought the good doctor had gotten exactly what he deserved.

The motive was unclear but his wife claimed self-defense.
All three women were charged and convicted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. All are still in prison. Eden Bradford turned State's evidence against her own mother, and was not imprisoned.

There was much conjecture about the motive. Was it the money, or just two lovers wanting to be together? Perhaps no one will ever know for certain.

The Play:

Set the "Way-Back Machine!"

I‘m going to take this one back to San Francisco of the late 1940’s, to evoke a "film noir" atmosphere!

The story of three maniacal women vs. one mouse-like little man. A first-hand account as told by the innocent bystander. I lived it. Now I want to share this gruesome yet fascinating experience through music.

Are you ready for
Iris Pierce, Cornelia Brazion and Lidia Drupe'?

Iris Pierce: 30-50 yrs. - The mastermind. The Dr's wife. An intensely brooding intellectual and yet explosive, very much of the "Joan Crawford/Mommy Dearest" type. Hair is tight in a bun. Strong Alto belter.

Cornelia Brazion: 20-30 yrs. - Not the brightest bulb on the tree. Will do anything that Iris tells her to do. Repressed anger; lots of it. Just the thought of murder turns her on. Strong Alto belter.

Lidya Drupe': 18-28 - Sweet, outgoing and challenging the world. Ready to change and not sure of who to follow. Able to character switch to maniacal and sadistic.

William "Able" Feropter: 18-28 - The innocent bystander. The "balladeer".

Detective Cookem: 28-40 - Dragnet "Friday" character type. Belting Irish Tenor. Solos - "Bullet-Proof Vest" and "The Garden" plus trio.

Detective Bookem: 28-40 - Flunky to Hookem. Power Bass. Solo - "Yes man" and trio.

Officer Hookem: Older than other cops - Seasoned police officer. Sings power baritone - "These Eyes Have Seen Worse" (solo), and trio "Hook'em, Book'em and Cook'em"

Dr. Peter Pierce: The victim. He's just a regular guy. He's a closeted bi-sexual. Baritone. Sings: (solo) "Clown White", and also in "Which is Better? One or Two" and "They All Look Like Her"

Teaser song titles:
“Making a Spectacle"©2009 - Iris, Cornelia, Lidya
“Mastermind"©2009 - Iris
“Eau de Homicide"©2009 - Iris, Cornelia, Lidya
"Crack Shot Crap Shoot"©2009 - Iris, Cornelia, Lidya
"The Invisible Visible Man"©2009 - Dr. Pierce
"No ICU for You"©2009 - Iris, Lidya
"The Pre-Meditation Mantra"©2009 - Iris, Cornelia, Lidya
"Iris Aforethought"©2009 - Iris
"Dispensing With the Doctor"©2009 - Cornelia
"Color Blindness"©2009 - Iris, Cornelia, Lidya
"The Slit-Lamp Song"©2009
"Which is Better? One or Two?"©2009 - Dr. Pierce, Iris
"They All Look Like Her"©2009 - Dr. Pierce, Lidya
"Clown White"©2009 - Dr. Pierce
"Prism Time"©2009
"O.J"©2009 -
"The Tightening of the Screw"©2009 - Detectives Bradman and Burford
"Skillet"©2009
"Hook'em, Book'em and Cook'em"©2009

The outcome? See it in 2010!