'WhoDunnit' theater makes sitting at home a crime
Where to go in Louisville for an evening of food and entertainment is no mystery — but what happens between the courses is.
WhoDunnit Murder Mystery Theater delights fans of mystery stories with four annual productions staged in a dinner-theater atmosphere. Interaction between cast and audience during the meal allows each guest to take on the role of detective and try to solve the crime before the end of the evening.
Among the regulars at performances are Joan and Joseph Sireci of Shepherdsville.
"It's very interesting and it's good entertainment," said Joan Sireci, who bought tickets to Whodunnit about three years ago as a birthday gift for her husband. "We liked it so much," she said, that "today we are season-ticket holders."
Ann Waterman is co-founder and CEO of the non-profit corporation that runs the theater and also writes some of its productions — all of which are original. The Louisville native began the operation in Rhode Island, then brought it home to Kentucky about five years ago.
The next play, set for Saturday evenings from Feb. 6–March 27, is "My Old Kentucky Murder Mystery" and offers would-be detectives the task of solving a case from 50 years ago.
The February/March play will be at Masterson's, 1830 S. Third St. This summer, productions will move to the Hyatt Regency downtown.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the meal/show begins at 7 p.m. The mystery is presented in three or four acts, with the three meal courses served in between the acts.
Actors in character mingle with members of the audience as they dine, allowing time to ask questions and gather clues. However, each mystery can be solved with the clues presented in the staged portion alone, the theater company promises.
Guests may submit their solutions to the mystery, and prizes are awarded at the end to one of the correct detectives, as well as to someone "whose answer is entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable but hopelessly wrong," said Niles Welch, executive producer.
Admission is $41.95, dinner, tax and gratuity included. Group discounts are available. Season tickets are $150.
- by Bill Wolfe, Louisville Reporter for HelloMetro
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Bill WolfeBill Wolfe is an experienced journalist with a broad background in writing, editing and photography. He has worked as staff writer at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., and the Atlanta Journal & Constitution in Atlanta, Ga., covering beats ranging from consumer news to religion and business.
