Red Herring

by Michael Hollinger

Three love stories, a murder mystery, and a nuclear espionage plot converge in this noir comedy about marriage and other explosive devices. It’s 1952: America’s on the verge of the H-bomb, Dwight Eisenhower’s on the campaign trail, and I Love Lucy’s on Monday nights. Meanwhile, Senator Joe McCarthy’s daughter just got engaged to a Soviet spy, and Boston detective Maggie Pelletier has to find out who dumped the dead guy in the Harbor – or else lose out on a honeymoon in Havana.

Genres: Plays, Drama

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Javier Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today's catch was a good one. It was a captain's platter loaded with laughs.

[Greg Kerestan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Hollinger's clever Cold War farce wraps up a number of things I'm a sucker for onstage: fast paced comedy, quick costume and character changes, noir homages and ludicrous dialogue delivered with a straight face. Given a good cast and a great set, "Red Herring" is a fantastic night at the theatre.

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious!
A rampage of crazy larger-than-life cartoonish characters. I really enjoy a play that has a vision and barrels at it with guns blazing. Hollinger's play doesn't shy away from the ridiculous and will get everyone involved in insane commie-chasing antics.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first play I've ever read and im glad I got to start with such a great, funny play. It was hilarous and full of hopeless romantics. I hope I either get to see or tech for this show one day.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

What fun!! This fast-paced Cold War parody is the second of Hollinger's plays that I have read, and he is fast becoming a favorite.