On August 18th, there seemed to be a pajama party going on at the Nido de Aguilas International School. Why were all these pajama-clad parents, teachers and other adults converging on the school cafeteria at 8:00 on a Friday night? One might think there was something mysterious going on and one would be absolutely correct. Nido’s cafeteria was the place to be when the Extremely Amateur Players struck again and presented their latest murder mystery masterpiece, "The Pajama Party Murders" produced by special arrangement with Eileen Moushey of Mysteries by Moushey. Click on a photo to see a larger version.
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The cafeteria was transformed into Cosmo Manor as a multitude of heirs competed for the ten million dollar fortune left by eccentric millionaire and inventor Bartholomew Cosmo. Cosmo’s attorney, Harriet T. Pettibone, aka Pamela Van Arsdale, was there to sort the true heirs from the imposters. A lively group of audience participants made this a most entertaining and difficult task.
Which of these people were the bone fide Cosmos heirs and which were the imposters? The finalists had to rise to the occasion, answer Mr. Cosmo's questions and abid by the decision made by Harriet Pettibone.
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Once the true heirs were separated from the imposters they then had to spend the night at Cosmos Manor and discover the whereabouts of the most valuable possession in the Cosmos Inheritance Derby – the patent to the Cosmo Inflatable Neck Pillow. This was easier said than done as it was a dark and stormy night fraught with danger. But where was the elusive housekeeper Lola who was supposed to aid and assist in this task? A body soon appeared and was discovered to be the elusive housekeeper herself. Who would find the patent and thus the golden ring in the Cosmo fortune: sweet innocent Myrtle (Stephanie O’Kane), sticky fingered Melanie (Gail Kellow); or bitter Bertha (Joan Buenaventura), who blamed Cosmo for ruining her life. Or would it be one of the boys - weird Eddie (Mark Anding); or his devoted mercenary half-brother Dexter (Justin Wild). Certainly not Bertha, who was the second victim of the evening.
The heirs did not call the police although the stage was littered with bodies. They preferred to search for the patent. It was now up to the audience to form detective agencies and, under the able guidance of our hosts, Dr. Donald Bergaman, Nathan Walker and Michael Allen, search for clues, decode messages and have as much fun as possible in the process.
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At the end of the evening – after the solution scene - prizes were awarded in different categories including “creative” solutions, so that everyone had a chance to win. The audience also enjoyed a delicious chili dinner – prepared by parents from the Nido PTA and served by CAS students - as part of their evening. Proceeds went to the CAS projects supported by Nido’s High School I.B. program. The evening’s earnings went to fund the Aromos Home for Senior Citizens, a CAS project. A percentage of the funds also went to the Nido PTA. We warmly thank the Nido de Aguilas community for all the support it has given us in this project. Photos by Michael O’Kane.
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The cast salutes you and invites you all to join us as an Extremely Amateur Player. Send us an email at [email protected] if you would like more information.