Music by Jay Turvey & Paul Sportelli, Book & Lyrics by Morwyn Brebner
A hard-boiled 1940's Manhattan newspaperman, sent to photograph a crime scene, goes on the lam with the suspect in Morwyn Brebner's hit play -- the first-ever film noir / social drama / musical comedy!
Little Mercy Callaghan has led a sheltered life. But her fugitive night with Weegee takes her from a four-alarm fire to a high society gala... and a nightclub where the floor show isn't the only entertainment. A hilarious romp from one of Canadian theatre's truly original young voices, Little Mercy's First Murder celebrates an awakening to the world in all its seedy magnificence.
Listen to tracks from the demo recording (performed by the composers):
Proust Says
Down on the Farm
Brown Sweater
Sammy's Bar
The Stars Are All Out
Dress Up
Little Mercy's First Murder was first produced as a co-production between Tarragon Theatre and the Shaw Festival and premiered at the Tarragon Theatre, Toronto, on January 14, 2003.
"Little Mercy's First Murder is a sharp script...The tunes are perfectly suited to the edge in Brebner's sharp lyrics."
NOW Magazine
"Utterly brilliant...a delightful show."
EYE Weekly
"Exceedingly clever songs sprinkled throughout, some pure fun and others deeply moving, making the play fresh and exciting"
Canadian Literature
"Dark and delicious!"
Vancouver Sun
Cover photo (left to right) Jeff Lillico, Neil Barclay and Jane Johanson.
Winner of 7 Dora Mavor Moore Awards
Outstanding Production of a Musical
Tarragon Theatre/Shaw Festival
Outstanding New Musical
Morwyn Brebner, Jay Turvey, Paul Sportelli
Outstanding Composition
Jay Turvey, Paul Sportelli
Outstanding Musical Direction
Paul Sportelli
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Eda Holmes
Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Musical Role
Peter Millard
Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Musical Role
Melody Johnson