Mystery Play, a non-musical version of King of the United States, opened Off-Broadway January 3, 1973 at the Cherry Lane Theater, directed by Jacques Levy, with cast including Shami Chaikin, Judd Hirsch, Cynthia Harris and Nancy Cooperstein Charney.

MYSTERY WRITER (holding up her hand): Stop.

   (The party stops.)

Now, Laura, play the role of one who has swallowed her coffee wrong, and then play the role of one who is choking, and then play the role of one who is dead. You --

   (She speaks to the butler.)

—- gallop to her side, playing the role of one who cares for her. You listen to her heart, claim that she is dead, and then, almost as an afterthought, that she was your wife..

   (to the Senator)

Senator, play shocked. When your son shouts at you, you pretend not to hear. You bite your lower lip. You —-

   (to the hostess)

play the role of one who can hardly control her emotions except that she is a lady. Give a little scream. You --

   (to the professor)

say you saw me deliberately turn down a cup of coffee from the same tray as Laura, and point to the butler, shouting, "and he gave it to her." Then Julian, play the role of one who has completely collected himself and claim you are about to call the police. I will tell you not to, for it is much too soon. Go!

   (The party resumes. The butler offers coffee to Laura.)

BUTLER: Coffee?

LAURA: Thank you.

BUTLER: Coffee?

MYSTERY WRITER: No, thank you. I like mine piping hot.

   (to the audience)

Besides, you never know what’s in a cup of coffee, do you?

"…this play will be forgotten before it is forgiven." John Simon, New York Magazine.

Published by Dramatists Play Service.