Poison Ivy Murder Mysteries

On Friday the 13th, we decided to take the kidlets and my parents to dinner, to see the Poison Ivy Mysteries production of "Club Mystique", at Stockmen's Steakhouse. Poison Ivy Mysteries is owned and operated by my friend, the lovely, Annelise Parkes Murphy.

"Club Mystique" is a Film Noir-style murder mystery, set in a casino. Dinner patrons are able to interact with the characters as they come around to their table, then watch the story unfold. Later, dinner patrons are encouraged to mingle with the characters, and interview them to determine who the murderer is.

Prior to attending, I read a blog article on Poison Ivy's website, entitled, "3 Most Important Things to Watch for During a Murder Mystery", where I learned to pay close attention to props and relationships. I also read their blog article, "The 5 Levels of Audience Participation". Here I learned that the characters would come around to our table. I also learned there would be an official questioning period.

Immediately, when the "club manager" came around to our table, I started asking him what he did at the club, how long he'd worked there, who he was in love with, etc.

My step-dad, Gentle Giant, does this naturally at any restaurant we go to. He's always asking the wait-staff personal questions because he's genuinely interested in people. I typically find it very embarrassing when he asks the waiter where they are from, and how long they've lived here, etc. It took about 10-15 minutes of me asking questions before my step-dad GG finally said, "Oh, you're already playing the game!?"

Criss Rosenlof as Stan the Stealer

All the actors did a very nice job of staying in character, and answering questions about their background, in character. I saw a familiar face in the cast, my friend Jim, whom I've done two other plays with. Jim played the Private Detective, Sam Bullet.

Jim and I, in "See How They Run" at the Empress Theatre

He was even the romantic lead, and got to kiss the beautiful girl. Wish I would have gotten a picture of that!

Jim Schroeder as Sam Bullet, and Melissa Cecala as Vivian DeLoure

Speaking of the beautiful girl, the actress who played Vivian DeLoure was absolutely mesmerizing. She is utterly gorgeous, and I couldn't stop staring!

Melissa Cecala as Vivian DeLoure

My step-dad GG even got to play a small part with lines and everything!

Stan the Stealer, GG as Bert the Stoolie, and Jim's daughter, Caitlin Freeman, as Didi Mallory

Later, it was time to interview the suspects. I took my job very seriously...

Jeremy Tritchler as Billy Scott

My name for the night was Vixen Foxx :D

At the end of the night, everyone in the audience wrote down on a piece of paper their guess who the murderer was, how they did it, and why. Prizes were given based on how correct the guesses were. I can't remember if my mom won first or second place, and I won third. We were able to figure out who the murderer was, because we caught the person in a lie.

Poison Ivy Mysteries is a fun date-night, or family activity. It's a fun twist on dinner and a show, and you can be as involved (or uninvolved) as you wish.

P.S. The next Poison Ivy murder mystery show will be starring Yours Truly!!!! So now you GOTTA come!

http://www.poisonivymysteries.com/