"The Maltese Murder" by Bryan Colley
When a book collector is murdered in a public library, a private detective is hired to find the killer. He meets a host of sinister characters hunting for a valuable autographed edition of Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon” that was donated to the Friends of the Library.
Production Info
Second performance July 18-27, 2025 at the Kansas City Fringe Festival (Best of Fringe winner). Directed by Bryan Colley. Produced by Tara Varney. Starring Davis DeRock, Caroline Dawson, Chad Crenshaw, Dianna Royer, Jake Golliher, Hilari Holt, and Cody Beavers.
Premiere performance April 2, 2008 at the Johnson County Public Library. Starring Michelle Cotton, Matt Koenen, Steven Eubank, Joe Nuzum, Kevin Albert, Alex Saxon, and Susan Glennemeier. Directed by Tara Varney.
This play was commissioned in 2008 by the Johnson County Public Library for the National Endowment for the Arts' Big Read. The cast requires 2 males, 2 females, 3 either gender. The running time is approximately 45 minutes. Performance royalties are negotiable and dependent on the size of the performance venue and ticket prices.
BEST OF FRINGE 2025!!!!!
"One of the better shows I have seen. Not just this year but many years."
"Laugh out loud clever, great pacing, and an overall enjoyable performance."
"Varney and Colley know all the tropes of the murder mystery universe and nailed them with a wink to the audience who gobbled up every fast-paced exchange and laughed out loud."
"Davis DeRock absolutely nails the character of Sam Spade. Campy, witty, hilarious. Really well done."
"Professional production, very well-written, brilliantly executed. Funny, Clever, Well-Paced."
" A loving homage for film noir fans! The witty banter and clever twists on classic tropes felt like inside jokes made just for us. I laughed a lot and had a great time. A true treat for anyone who loves a good femme fatale, a private dick, and a mournful trumpet solo."
"The show is a blast! Brilliantly done. Excellent casting. Everyone was great but the lead was truly the lead. He crushed it. I’d call it a must see."
"Great cast! Witty and silly writing. Highly recommend you go see this one!!"
REVIEW BY TAYLOR HUDSON, KC FRINGE
“The Maltese Murder” by Bryan Colley and Tara Varney is a theatrical homage to hardboiled detective stories that delivers plenty of laughs but occasionally stumbles over its own gumshoes. The clever writing and humorous wordplay effectively set the stage for the play’s action: Detective Sam Spade takes on the task of solving the murder of a wealthy book collector, who was on the hunt for a signed copy of “The Maltese Falcon.” Davis DeRock’s portrayal of Sam Spade was the clear highlight of the production as he captured the essence of the world-weary detective with notable authenticity, delivering each cynical observation and sharp quip with precise timing. The foundational strengths of an excellent noir parody are evident, but uneven commitment to the noir style from the ensemble seemingly held the play back from achieving its full potential. I fully expect the cast to settle into their characters and shake off any opening night jitters that may have affected their performance.
PHOTOS FROM THE 2008 PRODUCTION
