MO Productions - Denver Murder Mystery Comedy Dinner Theatre - What is Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre?

MO Productions produces plays that often parody pop culture and other literary icons and characters.  Our portrayal of these characters should not be confused with the original characters/situations.
MO Productions Interactive Murder Mystery Comedy Dinner Theatre
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Two Years in a Row!!!

303.408.4246
Text Box: What is Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre? We write and produce original interactive dinner theatre, wherein the plot someone dies, and it’s left to the characters (and the audience) to figure out Whodunit?! There is no stage, as the show is performed inside the dining area, as the actors walk around all over and interact with the audience. Some audience members become wrangled into really participating and given a role to play, often with lines to say that we provide to them. There is often the opportunity for group participation as well, depending on the show. The shows themselves often spoof pop culture icons, but also have original characters as well. The focus is on the comedic aspect, and not so much plot. We create characters that are caricatures, and incorporate topical and local humor into the jokes, which our audiences love. Outrageous costumes and wigs are a staple for us. The evening consists of three acts, with dinner served before Act I. The Stage Manager comes in early to set up the room 45-60 minutes prior to seating the audience, and then is there to help greet patrons as they sit down. We provide themed music through our sound system to help create the desired atmosphere of the evening. As the Stage Manager mingles and selects the audience participants, some characters come out and improv with the audience as they get settled in, and again as they are eating, to get them in the context of the show. After dinner is cleared, Act I is performed. Act I consists of introduction of characters and exposition, and generally sets up the murder to happen. Some wacky event usually takes place that involves some, if not all, audience members, and most times, someone dies by the end of the act. The body is removed from the room if needed, and a break is announced. There is a dessert intermission between acts. Act II brings the characters back in, and the mystery begins to unfold. Was it an accidental death? Was it murder? A detective emerges from the group, and clues are uncovered. The detective starts to question what happened, and points out possible suspects in the case. At the end of the act, the audience has the opportunity to question the suspects, which are not only our actors, but often a few audience members themselves. The audience is then instructed to fill out their Whodunit ballots with whom they think the killer or killers are, the method and motive, and to include their name so we can recognize them. Another break is announced so the audience may fill out their ballots, and our actors come back in to collect them. After the ballots are collected and tallied, Act III is performed, which is the solution to the show. The murderer is revealed, and most times arrested by the detective after they confess (during which they reveal the method and motive). A wrap-up takes place for the rest of the characters, and the show ends. A curtain call takes place to introduce the actors. Prizes are awarded to the Most Accurate and Most Funny/Clueless Ballots of the night. Audience members who had an active role in the show are recognized, and receive Murder Mystery Magnets signed by the cast as a token of appreciation. The timetable for the event is usually this: Seating begins 30 minutes before start time, and salads, rolls, etc. are already on the tables. Entrées are served approximately 15-20 minutes after start time, provided all patrons have arrived and have finished salads, etc. The meal period is approximately 45 minutes, depending on the size of the audience. When the entrées have been cleared, Act I begins. Act I is usually around 45 minutes. Dessert intermission between acts is usually around 15 minutes. Dessert does not need to be cleared. Act II is usually 30 minutes The ballot intermission is about ten minutes. Act III lasts about five to ten minutes. The Curtain Call/Prizes last about five minutes. Total time for the evening from seating: Approximately 3½ hours So, a seating time starting at 6:00 would result in the evening ending around 9:30. *** Home Parties are usually a shortened version of the above timetable, with less time needed for entrées. We can also perform the show with no actual meal being served, but just light refreshments. We do need some time in between acts for costume and prop changes, etc.*** Other kibbles and bits… Any Musak system needs to be turned off in the dining area for the duration of the event. Please do not put candles on the tables. The room will get uncomfortably warm if you do! Also, it prevents us from having a total blackout when needed. The Waitstaff person in charge should work and communicate with our Stage Manager regarding seating, clearing, or anything that directly deals with the running time of the event. Any special event ceremonies/raffles/awards for a private function should take place after the performance ends, so as not to interrupt the flow of the evening. We highly discourage open bars or cash bars. Beverages should come from a server. If you must have a cash bar, we ask that it only be open in between acts. You'll Die Laughing!!!