Synopsis

At the Cider Mill Inn, the rates are irresistible, the homemade meals are unforgettable, and the fine print may require a good lawyer, a tool belt, and possibly a strong stomach.

Susan and Michael are the charming, eccentric innkeepers at the center of this cleverly crafted situational comedy. To their guests, they appear to be sweet, welcoming hosts offering bargain rates and mouthwatering meals in a cozy country inn. In reality, they are crafty elderly con artists with a renovation problem and a highly unusual business plan: lure unsuspecting tradesmen to the inn, get them to sign a “reservation form,” and let them discover—slightly too late—that they have also agreed to perform binding renovation work.

As the guests arrive, the Cider Mill Inn fills with a parade of wonderfully quirky characters, including the world’s most boring man, a meddlesome busybody, flustered newlyweds, and a free-spirited, Harley-riding Reverend. Each new arrival adds another layer of confusion, personality, and comic possibility as Susan and Michael try to keep their scheme running, their guests fed, and their secret from spilling out all over the wallpaper.

The result is a lively country inn comedy full of eccentric characters, razor-sharp dialogue, unexpected high jinks, and the delicious question at the center of it all: who is really getting taken for a ride?

What Is Susan’s Secret? is a flexible-cast comedy for community theatres, dinner theatres, and companies looking for two standout senior lead roles, actor-friendly character parts, one manageable country inn setting, and casting options from 3M/3F up to 7M/7F. With opportunities for a small cast to play multiple roles or an expanded ensemble to fill the inn with comic life, this Parker Play gives directors and producers a charming, producible comedy where hospitality is warm, the contracts are suspicious, and renovation mayhem is very much included with the room.