By Jeanne Beechwood
The concept of the murder mystery dinner shows can be traced back to the early 20th century with amateur theatre groups staging whodunit plays for audiences. Often audiences are encouraged to take part in the murder mystery as one of the characters and play along with the actors as if in a big game of Clue. Over time the genre has become very popular. Now many professional theatre companies, along with dining establishments offer murder mystery events to audiences.
Kansas City is fortunate to have several murder mystery choices, including the new Supper and Suspects, a Murder Mystery Cabaret at the historic Waldo Supper Club. With gourmet dining and immersive entertainment , audience members can enjoy an intimate, interactive experience of a fun whodunit.
Set in a 1940s nightclub, the performers sing, dance, and interact within the audience. Audience members learn the relationships of the performers through this show within a show concept. Throughout the evening, the audience is instructed to take notes with paper and pencils provided. Everyone is encouraged to be a detective.
As the show progresses and the five-course meal rallies on , some of the performers take a turn or two at the microphone on the cabaret stage to sing catchy tunes as professionally trained vocalists. The show within a show plot thickens and a cast member is murdered. Fingers are pointed at who might have committed the crime and the remaining actors engage the audience to include their suspicion. During dessert, each audience table is responsible for determining who committed the murder and what was the motive. After all the spectators have submitted their suspicions, the cast organizes and reads out loud the good, the bad and the funny ideas. A winner is picked and that table receives a prize.
Coralyn Martin is the artistic director of the Waldo Supper Club. She also is one of the performers . Her mission for this show is to “have people step back in time and have a welcoming experience for the audience.” She encourages the audiences to “be part of the detective team”. Comedy, music and improvisation are highlights of this show.
A new twist is that each week a new cast will be performing the show within a show murder mystery. Rehearsals are one day before the show and the new cast members meet and put together a new back story while using improvisational skills within the actual performance. Every show will be different from the one before. Different cast, different plot and different songs. Every show.
The evening of Jan. 10 featured an over the top lounge singer, Carlotta, a hopeless romantic man in love with a mime who never spoke, a detective and a very talented hula hoop artist. A favorite course was the delicious butternut soup. The cast included Coralyn Martin, Aaron Hoffman, Rachel Burman and Elizabeth Rose. Martin’s brother CAS Minniear is the director and sound board operator.
The Waldo Supper Club is a historic building that long ago was Mary’s, a nightclub that featured small cabaret tables, a large dance floor and a stage at the back. The original dance floor still remains at the Waldo Supper Club. Martin’s grandmother, Rebecca performed there. Vintage pictures add to the ambiance of the venue. Seating capacity is only 40 which adds to the intimacy of the theatre.
The five course meal is crafted by Kansas City’s artisan chef, G.A. Murdock, exclusively for murder mystery guests. Handcrafted vintage mocktails are available at the non-alcoholic bar with delicious drink options designed for all preferences and palates. Supper and Suspects , Murder Mystery Cabaret runs every Friday in February. The location of the theatre is 8011 Wornall Road. Free parking is directly across the street at Red Racks Thrift store.
Reservations are essential and can be made at http://www.socialcabaret.com/murder-mystery. Tickets are $65 for dinner and show. Coupon code: TWODUNIT for 15% off two tickets or more. Recommended for ages 18 on up.
Written by Jeanne Beechwood, Artistic Director of the Martin City Melodrama.
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