Trial By Error

Trial By Error is a two-act play written by Rod Harrel that is a courtroom comedy with flashbacks.
Plot
Brooding young actor, Billy Dean, has been accused of murdering his director, Erica Von Stronghind while working on her film for B.F.D. Productions. He enlists the aid of never-lost-a-case lawyer, Pierre Masson, in his trial presided over by wine swigging Judge Richard Orson (presiding). Through the use of flashbacks, prosecuting attorney Hamilton Tallman leads the court through the events leading up to the Stronghind murder. Various witnesses from the film recount their observations of the couple including an actor, Hunk Rock; the film's leading lady, Lauren Humphries; and B.F.D. Productions mogul Louie B. Warner.
At the conclusion of the trial the audience is asked to vote whether Billy Dean is guilty or not guilty. It is then revealed that Dean did indeed murder his director in a fit of jealous rage.
Productions
Trial By Error was first produced by the Jupiter Players in 1987 and then slightly rewritten by Harrel for Stark Raving Theatre's second production in May-June, 1989. The play was directed by Cathy J. Lewis and a huge hit that garnered critical praise which allowed the theatre to extend the performances in their tiny 50 seat theatre. "Cross Perry Mason with Citizen Kane and what do you get? A courtroom comedy with flashbacks...a sharply written sendup of modern cultural icons." "...it's been too long since anybody shouted out, 'Let's put on a show!' Well, why not? and if Harrel's manic comedy leads everywhere and nowhere at the same time, at least it doesn't take itself too seriously." The production was SRT's highest grosser for over five years and allowed the theatre to survive the following year and go on to become one of the premiere new works theatre in the United States.
Pop culture references
As part of their program for the show, Stark Raving Theatre published the many pop culture allusions in the play under the headline: Infuenzas, Inspirations and Lifts that was written by Harrel.
Some examples:
Perrier (yuppie mineral water), Paul Masson (Winery), The Maltese Falcon, Nick Danger-Third Eye (Firesign Theater), Rear Window, Accidental Death of an Anarchist (play by Dario Fo), Pyscho, Power to the People (song by John Lennon), Hamlet, Rube Goldberg, Perry Mason, Citizen Kane, Talking Heads, James Dean, Eric Von Stroheim, Louis B. Mayer and Hamilton Burger.
Production credits
"Trial By Error"
written by Rod Harrel; directed by Cathy J. Lewis
CAST
* Michelle Maida as Perrier Masson
* David Williams as Billy Dean
* Kevin-Michael Moore as Det. Amberson Collins/Pall Wait/"Chew" Aperture
* Mark McGinn as Court Bailiff
* Rod Harrel as Judge Richard Orson
* Tony St. Clair as Hamilton Talman
* Bonita Town-Osborn as Paula James/Waitress
* Jeffrey Jacobs as Louie B. Warner/Bruce Puff
* Liz Russell as Erica Von Stronghind
* Joel Applegate as Hunk Rock/Chief Justice Herr Inquest
* Laura Lundy as Lauren Humphries
* Elaine Garner as Ingrid Lund
* Michele Jeanette as Judy Wait<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

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