Nursing homes. A place of respite, tranquility. Elysian fields where the virtuous and heroic reside. Maybe marble columned mansions on a hill with a manicured lawn and caring staff that smiles.

Maybe not so much if you end up at Wheatfield Senior Living.

Although the slick brochure depicts fine dining and well-trained doctors and nurses tenderly taking care of happy residents, the marketing department may have overstated things.

Instead, behind the white doors there is abuse, mysterious deaths, and secrets. When ordinary health-care workers are caught up in an environment where being under-paid, under-staffed and over-worked and under-appreciated creates a dark atmosphere that makes their moral compass hard to follow.

It is a great setting for “Death by Lullaby,” in its world premiere by Crowded Kitchen Players, through Oct. 26, Charles A. Brown Icehouse, Bethlehem.

The classic murder mystery elements are all there. A clever, pretty sleuth doggedly follows the clues while facing terrible danger with only one loyal friend. But in the end, she unmasks the villain in a dramatic confession scene.

Written and directed by Ara Barlieb, and co-produced by Barlieb and Pamela McLean Wallace, the play features a first-class ensemble of talented thespians.

Trish Cipoletti is a star as Mrs Tigert. It is thrilling to watch her metamorphosis from a stroke-crippled patient barely hanging onto life into a plucky crime fighter.

Pamela McLean Wallace (Louise) is riveting as a loyal friend and confidant to Cipoletti’s detective.

David Oswald (Dr. Barnaby) is utterly despicable as the officious, unctuous, head-office pill-pusher director of Wheatfield Senior Living. Brilliant actor.

Sharon Ferry (Nurse Grey) is a nightmare nurse. She makes concentration camp infirmary nurses look like Candy Stripers. Good job.

Kevin, charmingly played by Aiden King, is a young, tender-hearted soul with a heart of gold. No wonder the elderly women in the nursing home turn coquettish when he comes in the room. Who would think that such a sweet apple of a guy would be so wormy?

Phuong Tran as Phillip is chilling as a caregiver who doesn’t seem to care at all. Yes, he is low on the pay scale but compensates for that with his muscular physique and position of power. The frail and elderly are no match for him.

Dan Ross (Howard), Robert Torres (Jesse) and Bruce Brown (Leonard) gave their all as victims of abuse, indifference, bullying. They suffer their outrageous misfortunes with character, fortitude and add welcome humor to the story.

Nurse Coleman played by Dawn Daignault is superior as the caregiver who dances the line between emotional support and emotional abuse.

Though uncredited, the music, set design and lighting succeed in emoting the spare loneliness in a world where meals in the cafeteria provide the highpoints of the day.

“Death by Lullaby,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26; 2 p.m. Oct. 13, 20, Crowded Kitchen Players, Charles A. Brown Ice House, 56 River St., Bethlehem. 610-704-6974, https://www.ckplayers.com