Mystery and murder is the entertainment choice this Halloween season. However, this time it’s complete with Nazi saboteurs, secret passageways, flickering lights, and, well, the blizzard of the century. That is indeed the case as Austin’s City Theatre’s continues its 10th anniversary season shooting squarely at the funny bone with John Bishop’s comedy thriller The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.

Musical Comedy Murders is a comedy about a musical, with a lot of thrill, wrapped up in a murder mystery. It is an ingenious and wildly comic romp poking antic fun at the more ridiculous aspects of show biz and the corny thrillers of Hollywood's heyday. The creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop, in which three chorus girls were murdered, assemble for a backer's audition of their new show at the estate of a wealthy "angel." As the composer, lyricist, actors and director prepare their performance, bodies start to drop and accusing fingers point in all directions.

A cross between Agatha Christie and Charles Ludlam, seasoned with a dash of Noises Off, the play is a non-stop barrage of laughter as those assembled (or at least those who aren't killed off) untangle the mystery of the "Stage Door Slasher" - but not before the audience has been treated to a sidesplitting good time and a generous serving of the author's biting, satiric and refreshingly irreverent wit.