Warner Robins Little Theater invites the community to solve a mystery, starting this weekend

HAWKINSVILLE – Warner Robins Little Theater presents “Eclipse” – a masquerade murder mystery comedy theater starting on March 21 at The Columns of Georgia.

Audiences are encouraged to participate in solving the mystery of the play. “Eclipse” invites people to become guests of Lord and Lady Moon, the main characters hosting an annual moonlight masquerade charity gala. However, a diamond Tiffany necklace scheduled to be auctioned mysteriously disappears. Then, members of the entourage turn up dead and the audience is encouraged to solve the crime.

Director Cathy Collins said the event will be a masquerade theme and dinner will be provided. There will also be door prizes, including a necklace set representing the missing Tiffany necklace. Each night there will be two door prizes and a costume contest where the best costume will be voted by the audience. Collins also shared one participant has the chance to win money at each show.

People can expect the evening to be nice and elegant, as described by Collins. Masks will also be provided for those who do not have one. Tickets are $65, and include a dinner with the choice of grilled salmon or chicken, along with appetizers, punch, and a choice of tiramisu or cannolis for dessert. Participants will also have the chance for an actor meet and greet.

“It’s going to be a real good, nice meal, elegant surroundings and a lot of costumes. We [will] have music just to make the evening come together and pull it together,” she said.

She believes a lot of people enjoy the murder mystery dinner theaters because it is an interactive way to figure out who the killer is and have an entertaining evening.

Collins has directed regular shows where the cast dresses up, however, this show gives the audience the chance to get out of their comfort zone and dress up alongside the cast. Collins described it as going back to being a kid, dressing up and playing make-believe.

Collins shared rehearsals are going well so far and they are starting to have their dress rehearsals at the venue. She said the cast is doing great and will do well in entertaining the audience. She believes the cast will have fun in getting the audience involved.

“[It’s] not every time you get to go to a place where you get to actually participate. We’re hoping it’s going to turn out real well for everybody. I know the actors are seasoned and good actors and they’re going to make it a joy to see and be a part of,” she said.

Collins loves everything about the theater, from directing to acting. Growing up, she enjoyed watching plays and acting in church and high school. She said she loved becoming a different character, dressing up, and transforming into a different world. Now, she hopes the audience will feel the same way while watching Eclipsed.

“The pleasure I get is if we’re doing our job good enough, it gives the audience time to reflect on just something fun and enjoyable, put on the back burners the events of the world, any kind of problems or sicknesses. I just love being a ham, too. I like the joy I get out of the audience being mesmerized and enjoying a night out on the town,” she said.

The show’s dates are March 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 and April 4, 5 and 6. It will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Columns of Georgia. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased here. 

The Columns of Georgia is located at 155 Dooley Street, Hawkinsville.