Proscenium Players put murder on the menu

By Karel Ancona-Henry

For the Nevada Appeal

Proscenium Players, Inc. presents "Eat, Drink and Be Murdered," a murder mystery dinner, beginning Saturday and playing weekends, through Jan. 29 at Gold Dust West. Tickets must be reserved in advance of the show. All ages are invited.

"People in the area like to wait until the last minute to decide what they're doing, but for the dinner, we have to give a head count in advance," explained director Carla Wilson.

This year's production, written by Tony Schwartz and Marylou Ambrose, takes place at an 80th birthday party where two Irish families - the O'Rileys and the McFaddens - have gathered to honor the family matriarch, Grandma Rose. Innocent enough, but in the tradition of a good feud, members of both families are "dying to get their hands on" Grandma Rose's top secret Irish Rose Whiskey recipe.

And the fun begins.

"In the tradition of Proscenium mystery dinners, the deceased remains the same but the murderer changes for each performance," Wilson said. "So no two shows are ever the same."

This element of improvisation and audience participation makes each performance unique and also requires a certain level of skill from the actors, Wilson said.

"This is a very funny show with a very strong cast of 12," she said. "Seven members have scripted lines and the others just have to go with whatever unfolds and the cast has to know everyone's plot and motive.

"It's a fine line for an actor to walk, but they've got to misdirect the audience to remove suspicion, while giving plausible reasons why another character could be the murderer."

Each evening begins at 6 p.m. with the cast mingling with show-goers. Sweet Vocal Renditions featuring Sweet Molly McGee will perform Irish tunes and standards prior to the show and a no-host bar is available. Dinner, featuring Irish fare, will be served at 6:30 p.m. with the play beginning at 7:15 p.m.

Disc jockey Wacko Jacko will be on hand to play some songs and dance and the audience will at some point, be encouraged to join in a conga line.

"Prizes will also be given for the first three audience members who come up with that evening's murderer and motive," Wilson said. "It will be a lot of fun, with a very active cast."

Among those cast members are Tommy Jones, Geoff Moore, Beth Petersen, Eloise Koenig and Heidi Hampton. Craig Swope serves as master of ceremonies.

Show dates are Jan. 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29. Tickets for the dinner and show cost $35 for general admission and $32 for PPI members, Gold Dust West Players Club members, students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at showtix4u.com and must be purchased in advance.

All performances take place at the Gold Dust West Hotel and Casino's Pinion Room, 2171 Hwy. 50 East, in Carson City. Group seating is available with prior reservations. For show information or to make arrangements for group seating, call Wilson at 775-781-0664.

In addition to these performances, a special benefit performance for senior meal programs takes place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center, 911 Beverly Dr. Reservations are due by Jan. 28.

Carson Plaza provides the dinner for this special Valentine's Celebration for an all-ages presentation of "Eat, Drink and Be Murdered." Reservations are due by Jan. 28. Tickets cost $32, available at the senior center, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by calling 775-883-0703.