Murder mystery dinner theater show starts this weekend

A local theater troupe is hosting its 9th annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater event this month. Murder With Friends Entertainment’s “Get a Clue” dinner theater event will take place this weekend (Nov. 2, 3,) and next weekend (Nov. 8, 9) at the Perry Arts Center.

According to co-founder and director Tyler Bryant, Murder With Friends Entertainment is a group of actors that dedicate time out of their lives to present the charity show each year. So far, the group raised close to $250,000 for local non-profit organizations such as Perry Players and the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. This year’s non-profit is the Perry Public Arts Commission.

According to Bryant, the troupe originated in 2014 when the first show came to town. Every year, the group comes up with an all new theme and an all new cast of characters. For the 9th show, the theme is, “Get a Clue” named after the well-known board game, ’Clue’.

The show is set in the 1950s at the mansion of the wealthiest man in New England, Sir John Doe. Characters and dinner guest are faced with a challenge after a murder occurs at Doe Mansion. Event goers get to follow the story and even help solve the mystery. “It’s a very interactive show,” said Bryant. At each show, guests would receive a deck of cards with clues as to who the murderer is, similar to the board game. “The audience will actually be playing the game clue while they watch the show,” said Bryant. Guest are encouraged to come in costume, but not required, as there will be a costume contest at each showing.

He says even the actors won’t know who the murderer is until the show is over. There will be a different murder weapon, a different killer and a different room every time. Bryant says preparing for the show was the closest thing to insanity. This is because while each show is very rehearsed, they are mostly improve based. Each actor is responsible for his or her own backstory, character descriptions and monologues. “It can be very scary for actors who are not used to not having a script in front of them.”

Show times are 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 9. There is also a 12:30p.m. showing Saturday, Nov. 8. Tickets for the evening shows are all sold out and Bryant says only matinee tickets are available. For more information on tickets, email info@murderwithfriends.show or call 478-919-9889. Actors interested in joining Murder With Friends Entertainment should reach out to the troupe’s Facebook page.