Whodunnit? More like who-woulda-thunk-it. Utilizing volunteers, members of their Friends support group and a select group from their own staff, Wilderness Road State Park conducted three very successful nights of their mystery dinner theatre production, Just Kill Me Now, (Aw Shoot)! More than 150 guests participated in the hands-on dinner theatre, playing sleuth and helping the cast solve the mystery.
“I am amazed,” stated parks concession manager Mike Brindle. “Each night, we received standing ovations and so many wonderful comments. I think this event ranks right up there with the most successful and definitely the most popular ones we’ve ever conducted.”
The dinner theatre took place at the recently renovated solarium of the Karlan Mansion, featuring a three-course meal and an original playwright script by Carolyn Hughes, who also served as director for the play.
As guests enjoyed their meal, the play unfolded around them with colorful characters such as gangsters, the butler, French maids, the cook, the detective and more.
Guests collected clues along the way, and at the conclusion of dessert, helped the cast solve the mystery. “The guests really enjoyed it, especially the interaction between them and the cast members,” explained Brindle. “They played right along and provided so much to the entire evening; the crowds were wonderful and very supportive. They constantly asked when we planned to do it again.”
The characters and cast, in order of appearance, included: MiMi the French maid (Betty Smith), FiFi the French maid (Donna Long), Miles the butler (Mike Brindle), Lady Astor (Barbara Simpson), Lord Astor (Ken Simpson), Madame Molly (Carolyn Hughes), Chef Cookie (Jonathan Tustin), Mugsy (Bob Smith), Lucky (David Cope), Baby Face (Olivia Norton), Boom Boom (Lisa Barnes-Smith), Lt. Gum Shoe (Shawn Williams), and the ghost of Elydale (Frances Robertson Inwood).
For more information about upcoming programs and activities at Wilderness Road State Park, please call 276-445-3065.
