Putting the Suspense Back in Murder Mysteries

As the daughter of a murder mystery fanatic, I’ve grown up learning how to guess the killer. Inevitably, some piece of dialogue or strategically placed object gives the culprit away. After all, the author always knows who their villain is, even as they try to hide it from us. Suppose, though, that there is a mystery story in which the author does not know the killer. Neither does the director or lights crew or cast. Not even the killer knows who they are until the story has begun.

Such is the case with Emerald City Slasher. This Jet City Improv production in the intimate West of Lenin theater transports audiences to the very familiar, coffee-addicted, and perpetually rainy Emerald City. The improvised murder mystery follows eight friends who are struck by tragedy once one of them falls victim to a gruesome murder. As friends are picked off one by one, they race to find the culprit before they themselves are slashed. In the first scene of the show, actors pick up cards. These cards describe characters created by audience members just moments before. The card also tells them whether they are a survivor, a victim, or… the Emerald City Slasher! No one in the cast nor crew knows anyone’s true identities until the final scene where the slasher is uncovered. My cast included characters such as Danielle, a timid zoo keeper with a fascination for mysticism; Bobby, a failed beer brewer who loves a good laugh; and John, a gruff man opposed to change, working as a window wiper at the Amazon Spheres.  The improv nature of the show gives a unique authenticity to the mystery, but unfortunately makes for an unsteady first act.

The improvisation creates genuine mystery, while finding crucial, reliable ways to remain true to the genre. As the director explains, the killer remains concealed to everyone in the room throughout the show. This fact is apparent in the characters’ acting. As they question each other, call out suspicious dialogue, and dig for clues, you are filled with the knowledge that only one person on that stage is truly acting: the Slasher themself. For example, at one point during the show, Shannon, an uptight yoga instructor, threatened another character for interrupting her boyfriend during trivia night. The same suspicious looks the audience shared at this emotional outburst were reflected on stage by all the other characters. Having the cast's discoveries occur at the same pace as the audience's discoveries kept the show energized, and certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. At the same time, this unfortunately leads actors down inquisitorial rabbit holes as they pursue lines of questioning or forced interactions that just aren’t leading anywhere. 

This is where light and sound design become invaluable players. Strategically-timed light and sound cues retain the show’s structure. More than that, nostalgic and mysterious tunes and ominous, sinister, red lighting keep the show grounded in the murder mystery genre. At periodic intervals, the white lights would switch to black and ominous piano music would slowly creep onto the speakers. This indicated to the audience that a tragedy was about to occur while simultaneously cuing the actors to send out the next victim for their death scene. The sounds and lighting pull the acting and story elements together to produce a show that adds a fun twist to an over-saturated genre. The classic tech elements maintained my treasured feelings of nostalgia toward the mystery genre, but I found myself guessing along with the characters in a way that made me feel far more immersed and perplexed than I have since I began watching murder mysteries. This unique combination only achieved through improvisation almost made it feel as if improv was meant for the mystery genre.

Unfortunately, the nature of the show means that the first act is all about the actors finding their footing. Picking up character cards once they are on stage, the actors only discover who they are playing once the show has already started. These audience-submitted character descriptions include everything: from name to job to signature item. With so many details to remember about both themselves and other characters, it was clear the actors had a hard time keeping track in the early parts of the show. The first act was riddled with every improver’s worst nightmare: awkward moments of silence and interruption. This began as soon as the lights came up on the first scene. Danielle, Bobby, and Shannon sat on a bench, struck with silence as they clearly struggled to find a line their newfound character would say in the tone their newfound character would have. This lasted all the way to the end of the first act, as two couples on either side of the stage awkwardly stumbled to take their turns audibly conversing. It did not make the act unbearable, but it certainly detracted from the viewing experience. 

However, by the beginning of the second act, it was abundantly clear the actors felt more comfortable in their roles. They were empowered to further explore relationships, humor, and themes. A quick phrase would be picked up and questioned by a now more attentive scene partner, turning throwaway lines into ominous treasures. With more stage presence, an actor would lean into the physical comedy of the moment, for example Danielle fiddling with an imaginary dress or Bobby and Samantha awkwardly stumbling into another’s arms. With the newfound flow, “ooo”s “ahhh”s, and lively laughter perpetually erupted from the crowd. The terrific second act leaves me wondering how much further it could have gone if the actors received their characters just a few minutes before the show began. Perhaps the competent-but-slightly-awkward first act could match the joy of the second.

Emerald City Slasher was an energizing experience full of both fumbles and missteps, but also thrilling twists and hilarious comedy. Though it had its high and low moments, it was an unorthodox take on a beloved genre that gave promise to a future of improvised mysteries. While perhaps not a life-changing piece of theater, it made for a great evening of unexpected turns and good laughs, making me excited to see what else Jet City Improv has in store.

Lead photo: Rebecca Stoller and Megan Chang in Emerald City Slasher at Jet City Improv. Photo by Stephen Anunson.

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