Murder, mystery and mayhem take the stage at Tulsa Spotlight Theater

Writer, director and actor Josh Ferris brings a unique and psychological twist to the murder mystery genre in his original play debuting at Tulsa Spotlight Theater. "Un-Happy Little Accidents" runs on Fridays, May 2, May 9 and May 16.

A Curse, a Fortune and a Fatal Fall

Set in the present day, the play follows a wealthy, neurotic man named Hugh Myrrh who believes his family is cursed and that his own death is imminent. Guided by a dubious spirit medium, Hugh becomes convinced that the only way to break the curse is to give away his fortune to someone deemed worthy.

To avoid making the decision himself—due to his desperate need to be liked—he hires a fake detective to choose among his closest friends. What begins as a bizarre inheritance selection quickly turns deadly when Hugh is found poisoned and dead at the bottom of the stairs.

From Counseling to Curtain Call

Ferris, who holds a degree in counseling, used his psychological background to craft characters driven by obsession and delusion.

He credits a previous murder mystery production at the Spotlight Theater for inspiring him to take the leap into original writing and directing.

With encouragement from the prior show's director and the freedom to develop a character from scratch, Ferris gained the confidence to lead a production of his own.

Image Provided By: Josh Ferris

Meet the Cast of Eccentric Characters

The play features a lineup of quirky and conflicted characters:

1. Carrie Hokey – A melodramatic fake detective hired to choose Hugh’s heir. She frequently sings and trolls those around her.
2. Hugh Myrrh – The cursed and neurotic millionaire whose need for approval ultimately leads to his demise.
3. Ben Dover – Hugh’s cynical half-brother, unaware of their blood relation, driven by maternal validation.
4. Noah Fence – Ben’s best friend, obsessed with money and prone to speaking before thinking.
5. Anne Teeke – Hugh’s fame-hungry girlfriend, secretly in love with Ben, who uses Hugh’s generosity for personal gain.
6. Brock Olley – A fake medium and con artist who exploits Hugh’s belief in a family curse for financial benefit.
7. Tish Hughes – Noah’s power-obsessed girlfriend who wants to control Hugh’s charitable foundations.
8. Mike Hatt – Carrie’s relative and an actual detective, annoyed by Carrie’s antics but open to supernatural possibilities.
9. Oscar Ruitt – A calm and stoic coroner who assists in solving the murder.

Three Nights, Three Killers

In a creative twist to keep audiences guessing, each performance will feature a different killer. This alternate-ending format ensures a unique experience at each performance.

Image Provided By: Josh Ferris

Team Effort

Ferris expressed gratitude for those who helped bring his vision to life, especially an actor who co-wrote the script and his wife, who worked as the producer and was instrumental in building the cast.

Follow for Updates

Follow the creators and theater for updates and behind-the-scenes content:

1. Josh Ferris: Josh Ferris Facebook
2. Tulsa Spotlight Theater: Tulsa Spotlight Theater Facebook