New York City's Woolcott Theatre welcomes "Mainely Murder," the first attempt by playwright Walter Knapf (Miles Chapin), which he bases upon a novel, "A Murder Comes to Maine," by his former schoolteacher Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), who attends dress rehearsals, after lending her endorsement based upon Walter's first draft.
Producer Shayne Grant (pronouned "Shay-nah") (Carole Cook), with playwright and author on hand, receives condescending theatre critic Eliot Easterbrook (Dean Stockwell), to interview the trio on stage for his "Live at Five" television commentary. Eliot also presents theatre reviews during his 11 PM telecast.
Director Jason Richards (Lloyd Bochner) and publicist Barney Mapost (Rich Little) add their respective professional touches to the production, as Shayne and Walter attempt to convince Jessica that inferior edits may be corrected but probably not in time for tomorrow's opening night.
Newspaper theatre critic Danny O'Mara (John DiSanti) and his assistant, Denise Quinlan (Christopher Norris) attempt a more open mind than does the television theatre critic, as they prepare to attend opening night.
While the "Deadpan" audience sees none of the "Play within a Play" performance beyond dress rehearsals, the theatre audience is told that Craig Donner substitutes for Tony Jasper in the role of the Woodsman. At least one cast member is seen beyond the stage: Barbara Blair (playing Prudence) (Marilyn Hassett), who attends the cast and crew reception, to await television and newspaper reviews.
But after reviews of "Mainely Murder" differ considerably, a body is discovered to complicate matters. A frustrated Lieutenant Aloyius Jarvis (Eugene Roche) conducts the subsequent investigation, to what appears an "open and shut case" -- if not for Jessica's determination to disprove the officer's theory.
Newspaper editor Ed Cullen (Philip Abbott), Shayne's Assistant (Don Correia), and several other survivors provide Jessica with information regarding a case of "Deadpan" theatre reviews.
Producer Shayne Grant (pronouned "Shay-nah") (Carole Cook), with playwright and author on hand, receives condescending theatre critic Eliot Easterbrook (Dean Stockwell), to interview the trio on stage for his "Live at Five" television commentary. Eliot also presents theatre reviews during his 11 PM telecast.
Director Jason Richards (Lloyd Bochner) and publicist Barney Mapost (Rich Little) add their respective professional touches to the production, as Shayne and Walter attempt to convince Jessica that inferior edits may be corrected but probably not in time for tomorrow's opening night.
Newspaper theatre critic Danny O'Mara (John DiSanti) and his assistant, Denise Quinlan (Christopher Norris) attempt a more open mind than does the television theatre critic, as they prepare to attend opening night.
While the "Deadpan" audience sees none of the "Play within a Play" performance beyond dress rehearsals, the theatre audience is told that Craig Donner substitutes for Tony Jasper in the role of the Woodsman. At least one cast member is seen beyond the stage: Barbara Blair (playing Prudence) (Marilyn Hassett), who attends the cast and crew reception, to await television and newspaper reviews.
But after reviews of "Mainely Murder" differ considerably, a body is discovered to complicate matters. A frustrated Lieutenant Aloyius Jarvis (Eugene Roche) conducts the subsequent investigation, to what appears an "open and shut case" -- if not for Jessica's determination to disprove the officer's theory.
Newspaper editor Ed Cullen (Philip Abbott), Shayne's Assistant (Don Correia), and several other survivors provide Jessica with information regarding a case of "Deadpan" theatre reviews.