Director Aaron Posner (of the Arden) wrote the book and lyrics, James Sugg (four-time Barrymore Award-winning sound designer and Pig Iron composer and performer) composed the music, and they cast some big Philadelphia names (Ben Dibble, Scott Greer, Anthony Lawton) in a production that will move to Maryland's Round House Theatre.

M3's charming, fablelike simplicity and hokey good fun begins with narrator Clem (Dan Manning) and the ensemble singing the obligatory thanks to corporate sponsors and reminders to turn off cell phones and unwrap candies, and races forward with a toe-tapping score of bluegrass, country ballads, tango and more, all played onstage by music director Jay Ansill's versatile combo.

Erin Weaver charms as Mary, a Deer Lick, Mo., pig farmer's daughter in love with Hugh (Dibble), who helps run his family's "general store, pickle barrel, fishmonger and clinic." Evil Uncle David (Thomas Adrian Simpson) has a running feud—known only as "The Thing"—with Hugh and wills his fortune to Mary on one condition: that she marry anyone but Hugh.

Enter "The Mysterious Stranger" (Greer), a hiss-eliciting Snidely Whiplash-type villain who passes himself off as a French count in pursuit of Mary's hand. His exotic manners charm Mary's parents, played by Lawton and Sherri L. Edelen. Soon, the title's murder is pinned on Hugh and its wedding is scheduled for his hanging date. Its mystery hilariously remains unsolved—and the whole adventure is darn fine fun.

Posner's pun-filled book, including innumerable rhymes with "Hugh," excruciating exclamations ("Soak your socks!" "Darn my dainties!" "Ezekial's blessed garters!"), and the Mysterious Stranger's gut-splitting strategy to wear down Mary's resistance (repeating "please" over and over), is matched by Tony Cisek's wittily compact set design, Kate Turner-Walker's rustic costumes and James Leitner's colorful lighting. Posner's staging and Karma Camp's hoedown choreography move the action briskly.

M3's cheerful message of perseverance and hope, combined with some clever commentary about theater ("We never try to hide a lie/ Instead we call it art"), echoes the best of Twain's comedic writing in this delightful confection.

A Murder, A Mystery & A Marriage

Through May 14, Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water St., Wilmington, Del., 302-594-1100, www.delawaretheatre.org