An exciting trip to a restaurant might cap at a shattering crash of dishes or a flirtatious back-and-forth with the server, leaving behind a scribbled number on a napkin – just in case.
Rarely does such an outing involve something like, well, murder.
Bringing every server’s darkest fantasy to life, the Theatre Guild invites an audience along for a murder mystery – performed in-the-round – to help solve the offing of “demanding, pain-in-the-neck” diner Rosemary at the scene of the crime, Cafe Murder.
Two showings are scheduled: an evening dinner Thursday, April 21, and an afternoon lunch Friday, April 22, at Clubhouse 5. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.
Directed by Paul Kratzer and produced by Barbara Powell, the story centers on “annoying hypochondriac” Rosemary, played by Dawn Vasco, and her birthday celebration with her four sisters.
Somehow, the abrasive baby of the siblings manages to irk everyone in her wake, with her high-maintenance demands asked of the waiter, played by Lewis Marcus; her picky dish modification requests of the chef, played by Nicole Aloni – even her sisters, played by Carol Shallin, Sheryl Strich, Cheryl Baker and Bill Reed, are annoyed with Rosemary.
“This is a woman who everybody despises,” said Marcus, sharing his fairest insight on whodunnit. “So, anybody that has an opportunity to do her in, will.”
The sleuths in attendance – that is, the audience members – can enjoy an Italian buffet, featuring a pasta bar, primavera chicken, fettuccine alfredo, meat lasagna, fresh focaccia and salad options, provided by Taste Catering, and a GRF bar, as they collect clues.
Vasco, the dead (or disappeared) star, who began her acting career 26 years ago, has fun in her role as Rosemary: “I get to be mean and nasty. Everybody hates me,” she said.
Her delivery of the “horrible” character came as a shock to producer Powell.
“[Vasco] is such a sweet person – but she plays the part well,” Powell said. “She would scare the bejesus out of me.”
Setting the scene, singers Esther Chun and Madelyn Enright immerse guests into Cafe Murder with an all’Italiana serenade as they walk about before the action begins.
Theater-in-the-round is performed from a central stage platform that is surrounded by the audience. Traditionally, interaction is encouraged.
“Usually when you’re on stage, you don’t want to break the fourth wall; however, in a theater-in-the-round, you’re playing to the entire audience, you’re [also] part of the audience,” Marcus said. “There’s tremendous audience participation – so they feel like they’re part of the show as well.”
Marcus, who began acting 12 years ago when he moved to the Village, has been in “dozens” of productions by the Theatre Guild and the Old Pros, including the murder mystery “Downtown Flabby” a satirical piece performed in 2017.
Over cannolis, audience members will team with “defective” detective Reginald Harris, played by Bob Matonti, during a Q&A session. All questions can be posed to the players, who will be improvising answers in character as they move through the crowd.
The table that accurately votes whodunnit will win a prize, to be disclosed at the event, Powell said.
“Expect a very fun evening,” Vasco said. “Not only will there be great performances by seasoned and new actors to the Village, but the audience gets to participate in it as well, which really makes this a full show.”
If you go …
What: Cafe Murder, an interactive murder mystery presented by the Theatre Guild
When: Thursday, April 21, doors open at 5:30 p.m.; Friday, April 22, doors open at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Clubhouse 5
Cost: $40 per ticket, $400 per table (10 tickets total) for the Thursday dinner showing; $35 per ticket for the Friday lunch showing. No tickets will be sold at the door.
To prepare enough meals, all ticket purchases must be finalized by Thursday, April 14. Tickets are available at TheatreGuildLW.com. Email Barbara Powell at [email protected] for more information.