Parlor Games

Parlor Games is a clever and fast-paced comedy by James C. Wall that turns a seemingly harmless prank into a whirlwind of mistaken identities, escalating misunderstandings, and laugh-out-loud surprises.

Practical joker Mort McNulty decides to host his own wake—while very much alive—so he can overhear what people really say about him after he’s gone. His plan quickly spirals out of control when his wife, Tricia, is unwillingly pulled into the deception. As mourners arrive, some knowingly playing along and others completely fooled, rumors spread and imaginations run wild. Before long, several guests are convinced Mort is truly dead and Tricia has lost her grip on reality.

As jokes pile on top of jokes and confusion reigns, the chaos reaches its peak when Tricia turns the tables, transforming Mort’s fake wake into a surprise birthday party—delivering a final lesson about the consequences of practical jokes.

With witty dialogue, escalating absurdity, and nonstop comic momentum, Parlor Games is a delightful ensemble comedy that proves some jokes can go hilariously too far.