A Killer Party: A New Digital Musical

A Killer Party: A New Digital Musical premiered in 2020 during a time when the theater world was adapting to virtual platforms due to the unprecedented global health crisis. Brought to the audience by BroadwayHD, this innovative new production showcases an inspiring blend of humor, mystery, and music. What sets the show apart is its very mode of presentation- embracing a digital format to safely cater to a locked-down global audience, during times when theater enthusiasts were missing the magic of live performances.

The show offers a brilliant story laced in mystery and suspense. As suggested by the title, it ingeniously leverages the classic 'whodunit' genre, making for an exciting viewing experience. The story unfolds in a typical manner, first setting up the scene of a surprisingly unusual dinner party. As the guests start to arrive, the tension builds up, keeping viewers at the edge of their seats. But as the evening takes an unexpected turn with a sudden death, the narrative transitions into a murder mystery. The unexpected death of the party's host, the infamous theater director Varthur McArthur, throws everyone into a tizzy. The suspicion falls on everyone present at the gathering as they all had a motive to commit the crime.

The quest to find the killer forms the crux of the show's narrative. The intrigue is amplified when a detective is assigned to solve the mystery, and the plot twists and turns as detective Justine Case interviews the suspects one by one. Music is interspersed intelligently throughout the narrative, serving two critical purposes: enhancing the suspense and the narrative drive, and creating a break from the tension with some well-times comedic relief.

What stands out in A Killer Party: A New Digital Musical is the ensemble cast. The talented roster boasts names such as Michael James Scott, Laura Osnes, Jackie Burns, Jeremy Jordan, and Alex Newell, among others. These notable Broadway figures offer performances that are profoundly compelling and entertaining. Each artist brings a unique flair to their respective character, evoking laughter, sympathy, suspicion, and a flurry of other emotions through their dynamic acting and musical talents. The characters themselves are uniquely crafted, with traits ranging from eccentric to earnest, with everyone having their own secrets and motives.

With regards to the musical aspect, Jason Howland's music, Nathan Tysen's lyrics, and Kait Kerrigan's book combine to give this murder mystery a rhythmic heartbeat, adding a unique musical flavor to the suspense and drama. These are tuneful, character-driven songs that feel integral to the storyline. The music organically punctuates the narrative at critical junctures, evoking the right emotions and pacing the suspense. Combative duets, introspective solos, and dramatic ensemble numbers make A Killer Party a melodious delight for all musical theater lovers.

In terms of setting & production, A Killer Party shines with its creativity. Remember that it was staged and filmed in times when social distancing norms dictated the rules- the result is a script that takes into account spatial limitations while also adding a layer of authenticity to the plot. That aspect and the use of modern technology offer quite a unique viewing experience and open up a new perspective on the world of digital theatre.

Behind the screen, Director Marc Bruni deserves a shout-out for seamlessly bringing together all the elements and artists, creating an engaging and immersive show despite the challenges of direction in the virtual space.

To sum up, A Killer Party: A New Digital Musical is a must-watch for an array of reasons: its gripping murder mystery story, a humorously engaging script, foot-tapping music, excellent performances from a stellar ensemble cast and an innovative adaptation to digital format. It’s a welcome rarity in itself, as it so creatively fits in the genre of a musical whodunit. The show turns a crisis into an opportunity by opening up a new horizon for musical theatre and taking the audience on an exciting and novel theatrical ride from the comfort of their homes. If you are a musical theatregoer, or simply love a great mystery, A Killer Party: A New Digital Musical will not disappoint!