DONE TO DEATH
(1985)
“Done To Death” was an example of what is sometimes known as a “sleeper hit” ( a play that becomes a big hit when there is some doubt or question about whether it will be a hit).
This play within a play, a parody of murder mysteries, horror flicks and spy thrillers, was positively hilarious as the audience demonstrated by the hearty laughter and generous applause at the end of the performance. The surprise ending left not only one of the critics surprised but many of the audience too (I won’t divulge any more in case you get a chance to see the play sometime).
The play was aptly described as sheer lunacy as the author, Fred Carmichael, took the audience on a roller coaster ride as he played a skillful and fast-paced game of guess again with the audience as the play alternated between reality and imagination.
