Crimes at the Old Brewery was first produced at the Emerson Theatre, Elmira College, Elmira, New York, in March, 1991, attended by Helen Hayes, to whom author Tim Kelly dedicated the play.

The story: An unscrupulous villain calling himself Jack O'Lantern ruled a community of murderers, robbers, and assorted cut-throats in a notorious tenement house, the Old Brewery, in New York's toughest crime area. True to history, this tale recounts events in its tunnels and shadowy passageways that made the crusading "Illustrated Police Gazette" write "No crime is too vile, no tenant unwilling to participate." A reporter infiltrates and inflames public opinion with his news stories just before Jack makes a big mistake by kidnapping beautiful socialite Irene Felton. The Vice Squad prepares to demolish the structure, but its dangerous tenants have no intention of living elsewhere. Irene escapes with the help of the reporter just as Jack, attempting to solve the problem to his own advantage, destroys himself and the Old Brewery.

A director's dream for limitless character types as well as makeup and set adventures. The action is designed to proceed without interruption. A smaller cast is possible with doubling.

"Kelly's play reveals how people, in all walks of life, use and misuse power...[It's] filled with suspense, thrills, terror, dry wit and psychological insight... Powerful!"—The Corning, N.Y., Leader. "A story with lots of atmosphere and action"—New England Theatre Conference.

One-act; set, a large, dark, filthy room in the brewery in 1852; costumes, period clothes for outsiders, dirty rags for the inhabitants.

More horror from Kelly: Adventure of the Speckled Band, Bloody Jack, Dracula, Fall of the House of Usher, Murder Takes a Holiday, Sweeney Todd

See also: Mystery, Murder, and Mayhem