Blue Skies Yonder

by Peter Fenton

Full-length. A contemporary Agatha Christie-inspired locked room murder mystery in the shadow of late-stage capitalism. At his lavish book launch party, promising young author Harrison Fowler spirals under the weight of a mismanaged manuscript and the deadly ambitions of his colleagues and loved ones. In the cutthroat world of publishing, the real killer might be whoever tells the best story.

A dark comedy...

Full-length. A contemporary Agatha Christie-inspired locked room murder mystery in the shadow of late-stage capitalism. At his lavish book launch party, promising young author Harrison Fowler spirals under the weight of a mismanaged manuscript and the deadly ambitions of his colleagues and loved ones. In the cutthroat world of publishing, the real killer might be whoever tells the best story.

A dark comedy about queer survival, creative ownership, and the stories we tell to stay relevant—even if it kills us.

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Blue Skies Yonder

Recommended by

  • J.Lois Diamond: Blue Skies Yonder by Peter Fenton
    “

    This is a very engaging "whodunnit" with a lot of modern twists. The use of AI makes it all the more disturbing.
    And I appreciate the black humor. It has a lot of juicy roles. It deserves to be performed.

    This is a very engaging "whodunnit" with a lot of modern twists. The use of AI makes it all the more disturbing.
    And I appreciate the black humor. It has a lot of juicy roles. It deserves to be performed.

    ”
  • Kieran Khanna: Blue Skies Yonder by Peter Fenton
    “

    Such a wild and thrilling story that takes you places you wouldn't expect! That's the power that Peter Fenton put into this play! Secrets are revealed, no one can be trusted, and every element of the story will satisfy you in every way possible! This classic story of "whodunnit" that's set in today's world with such a diverse group of characters is was so eye opening and refreshing to read! I'd love to see this be produced! Awesome work Peter!

    Such a wild and thrilling story that takes you places you wouldn't expect! That's the power that Peter Fenton put into this play! Secrets are revealed, no one can be trusted, and every element of the story will satisfy you in every way possible! This classic story of "whodunnit" that's set in today's world with such a diverse group of characters is was so eye opening and refreshing to read! I'd love to see this be produced! Awesome work Peter!

    ”
  • Ian Donley: Blue Skies Yonder by Peter Fenton
    “

    Just like Rian Johnson does with Knives Out, Peter Fenton brings the "whodunnit" genre into the modern era. There are so many clever moments where Fenton honors the past troupes but doesn't just copy and paste them. If anything, he re-invents them. Each character is fleshed out and has a strong point of view, making the reveal of the murderer very satisfying. I hope to see this play produced all over. There's definitely a space for it.

    Just like Rian Johnson does with Knives Out, Peter Fenton brings the "whodunnit" genre into the modern era. There are so many clever moments where Fenton honors the past troupes but doesn't just copy and paste them. If anything, he re-invents them. Each character is fleshed out and has a strong point of view, making the reveal of the murderer very satisfying. I hope to see this play produced all over. There's definitely a space for it.

    ”
View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

-JASON and JILLIAN are ethnically Chinese and thus must be played by performers of East Asian descent. Their lines in Mandarin are to be delivered with the confidence of a native speaker.
-HARRIS must be played as a US Citizen and should appear believably related to PRESTON and MARYBETH, as he is their son.
-AMBER grew up in Owasso, Oklahoma. She may be played as any ethnicity.
-PRESTON is probably a white American, or if cast a person of color, has internalized an old money American whiteness.
-COREY, REBECCA, and MARYBETH may be played as any ethnicity or nationality.
-The offstage voice of HEIDI McEWAN should be that of a wealthy middle-aged Irish or British woman.
  • Harrison "Harris" Fowler
    The Author. A debut novelist presently angry at his editor, unsure whether his work is any good, and sitting on a compromising secret. His book, BLUE SKIES YONDER, is set to launch with Blackfeather Press next week and is expected to be a best-seller. Harris has yet to be paid a penny of his hefty advance and his novel is being sent to market with edits he never approved.
    26
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Jason Yang
    The Fiancé. A photogenic app developer and AI expert who is quick with a joke and never misses a chance to pitch his technology. He recently proposed to Harris and their wedding is scheduled for next July. Both a romantic and a survivalist, Jason is eager to marry soon and is determined to use this party as leverage to ingratiate himself into the publishing startup.
    Mid-20s
    Asian -- Chinese
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Marybeth Fowler
    The Agent. An Ivy League English professor and highly selective literary agent who recently went through a financially damaging divorce. A ruthless negotiator with a cool head and a sharp tongue, Marybeth keeps close tabs on who owes her favors and what exactly she owes. She represents Harris—and she’s also his mother. Her instinct, always, is to protect.
    50s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Preston Fowler
    The Host. A New York City real estate mogul who is hosting the launch party for BLUE SKIES YONDER at his recently-acquired luxury mountain cabin. An aspiring author himself, Preston knows his son’s secrets and is keeping a close eye on Harris’s budding career and those he rubs elbows with—and he’s no stranger to a good old fashioned backroom handshake.
    50s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Cole Reynolds
    The Founder. The fabulous Co-Founder of Blackfeather Press building his empire on funds from flighty venture capitalist Heidi McEwan (an Irish billionaire!). Much of the company’s future hinges on the success of Harris’s novel, and Cole is bold enough to break through barriers of every kind to see his plans come to fruition with nothing but his wit, charisma, and charm.
    Late 20s to Mid 40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      South Asian or South Asian American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Rebecca Adler
    The Editor. The quiet Acquisitions Editor at Blackfeather and a former student of Marybeth’s. Hardened by the cutthroat industry after coming in with an already sharp attention to detail, Rebecca has learned to strike under-the-table deals and blur ethical lines to maintain her precarious upward mobility with cold precision as she calculates her most lucrative paths.
    Late 20s to Mid 40s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      South Asian or South Asian American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary,
      Woman
  • Jillian Chau
    The Marketer. The astute Marketing Director for Blackfeather Press. Bilingual in both Mandarin and English and seeming to go by two different names, Jillian has a keen eye for book covers, writes snappy social media posts, and rents a deluxe apartment on the Upper West Side with her boyfriend in med school. How does she manage it all? She would prefer you didn’t ask.
    Mid to Late 20s
    Asian -- Chinese
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Amber Crawford
    The Ingenue. The Junior Editor at Blackfeather and editor of Harris’ novel who loves THE HUNGER GAMES and never seems to have trouble speaking exactly what’s on her mind. Fresh out of college and small town Oklahoma, Amber has developed a genuine passion for the book which led her to send a draft to print that the author hadn’t approved—a risky move with inevitable fallout.
    Early 20s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      South Asian or South Asian American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary,
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, Rogue Theater Festival, 2026
  • Reading, Fenton Productions, 2025
  • Reading, Playwrights Thriving, 2024

Awards

  • Queer Voices Festival
    EPAC
    Honorable Mention
    2026
  • 12th Annual Inkslinger Playwriting Contest
    Southeastern Louisiana University
    Semi-Finalist
    2025