A strange air of mystery filled the walls of the cafeteria on Feb. 11 and 12 as actors took their talents offstage for their performance of “The Notorious Bloody Prom Reunion.” Directed by Chloe Scacheri, senior, this year’s Mystery Dinner Theater production brought audience members to laughter, shock and uproar as they were transported into an interactive murder mystery.
As an entirely student-run production, Scacheri spent many weeks leading up to the show deep in preparation. In her role as director, Scacheri was responsible for casting, blocking, costuming and design, and organizing the event as a whole. “Directing was so much fun. I mainly tried to give my actors movements and line delivery that would work for both their character and the show, but it was also important for me to let the actors take their notes and run with them,” Scacheri said. The show relied heavily on improv, so Scacheri also devoted time during rehearsals to practicing for audience interactions.
The show followed the story of a group of reunited schoolmates following a murder that took place at their high school prom. Heather McNamara, played by Faith Faber, sophomore, bewitched audience members with her misleading innocence. “Our ‘stage’ was much more immersive, where I got to perform in front of, commune with, and even eat dinner with the audience,” Faber said. In her first year doing Mystery Dinner, Faber loved feeling the rush of audience participation and working with her castmates to deliver a seamless production. “ I’m glad I got the mystery dinner cast that I did, as they were all amazing people and we’ve gotten to know each other better and formed closer friendships,” Faber said.
Claudia Frankfort, junior, loved getting to prepare for her zany, unpredictable character, Carrie White. “There was definitely a lot more background work you had to put into it to be able to prepare for the shows,” Frankfort said, as the show ended with open-ended interrogation from audience members, where the actors could be asked about any part of their character’s history or relationships to other characters. Frankfort enjoyed how many cast members stayed in character even outside of rehearsals, even texting in character and fully immersing themselves in their roles. “I thought everyone’s commitment to the bit was incredible and super endearing to be around,” Frankfort said.
With a production that brought parents, friends, techies, actors and theater fans together and fully invested in a high-stakes murder mystery, the show was an overwhelming success. Fans can be sure to look forward to next year’s show and whatever mystery may be in store for them to solve. “People should participate in Mystery Dinner and attend Mystery Dinner because it is such a fun production and experience that I think is difficult to find in the world right now,” Scacheri said.