Retribution: Encore Performance: November 22nd, 2026, 3 - 6 PM, at Writer's Center, Bethesda

Retribution: "Old grudges die hard and some… not at all."

Retribution is a dark comedy in the tradition of Agatha Christie. It’s about four senior South Asian actresses who have fallen on hard times. Long simmering rivalries and secrets lead to conflict and murder.  The question is: Who hated the victim enough to murder her? For more details click on the QR code:

Synopsis

This is a dark comedy loosely inspired by “Knives Out.” When a body is discovered, the police detective assigned to the case suspects the victim’s poker partners who meet regularly but did not always get along with each other. Sheela, Rani, Lalita, and Emily are erstwhile South Asian American actresses living on the fringes of Hollywood, who have long battled discrimination, financial hardship, and loneliness. There is a long simmering rivalry and anger between them and especially towards the victim who was known to be indiscriminate in her choice of lovers. There is also Mary, a maid in Rani’s house, who has a history with both the victim and with some of the suspects. There are suspected links to a prostitution racket whose tentacles reached Hollywood and even the neighborhood Church. The question is: Who hated the victim enough to murder her and was this a crime of passion or was it premeditated?

Play Schedule:

3 PM - 6PM

Introduction: 3 - 3:05

Cabaret Dance Raya Dance Academy: 3:05-3:10

Play Begins 3:15 - 5:15 PM

Vote of Thanks: 5:15 - 5:20 PM

 Introduction

Good evening, folks. Thank you for coming to see Retribution-which is all about about botox, backstabbing and bloodshed –

 all implied of course!

You’re about to meet several ladies… and before you ask, no — none of them would pass a heavenly character test. In fact, the Gods would probably need a stiff drink… just reading their résumés.

We begin with our dearly departed… Rani.

She was the kind of woman who could steal your man… your money… and your mascara — all before dessert.

The other protagonists… not much better.
…in fact…they could write an encyclopedia on grudges:

Sheela —is the kind of woman who drowns her past one drink at a time… her poor dead husband Jack… just couldn’t … swim fast enough to the surface.

Emily — Another woman with a deceased husband, Denzel. She has a tongue like a razor, morals like a politician, and a fondness for solving problems- the old-fashioned way… permanently.

Lalita— emotionally unstable enough to need her own weather app: expect thunder, lightning, and the occasional flying… ex boyfriend- Eric in this case.

Don’t forget the two young ladies, Mary and Tommi, who could be agents of chaos, targets for the murderer or instigators of the crime! You never know in this world!

Finally, the two detectives, Prasad and Arjun. Every good mystery needs detectives. Ours just happen to come - in pairs. Together, they’ll try… to untangle a web of secrets, without getting on each other’s nerves!

Now here’s the fun part. You are the judge and jury tonight. So pay close attention — by the end, one or more of these ladies will have blood... on her hands.

So let’s rewind to where it all began — in Vegas, naturally.

A cabaret… drenched in sequins, showgirls, and sin
And Rani, performing her last number… though she doesn’t know it yet.

So… here it is! Curtain!