Dinner drama
Murder
and mayhem visit
Gen. Butler State Resort Park
Dinner
Theatre offers evening
of mystery, suspense
By
Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer
CARROLTON, Ky. (November 2009) – Random Acts
has been keeping audiences on their toes for the last decade. The theatre
troupe of 20 professional Midwest actors and singers will perform its
specialty, a murder mystery, Nov. 14 at Gen. Butler State Resort Park.
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Photo
provided A
Midwest theater |
The troupe was formed by Lynda Whiting and her husband,
David Fioritto. Whiting had been a professional actress for some time,
having worked for several other murder mystery companies. Fioritto is
a musician and when the two combined their talents they realized they
had formed something special because, “David knew music and I knew
funny!” said Whiting.
The pair met while working for another murder mystery company in September
1998. Whiting writes all of the scripts. Their repertoire consists of
50 shows, some with original music which the two co-write.
“We have kids’ shows, family productions, corporate team-building,
senior shows, cabarets and we custom design,” Whiting said.
She bases their appeal on the fact that “Random Acts uses all the
best elements of the murder mystery genre.” Improvisation, scripts,
audience participation and music are key components for a successful
show.
The troupe also provides a professional sound system, stage lighting,
full orchestration, harmonies and live instruments to deliver a fully
staged production. “We kill people… we sing about it!”
Whiting said.
When Random Acts presents the “Tony & Tina Murder Mystery”
at Gen. Butler State Resort Park, it will be the first time they have
performed there. The dinner theater will begin with a meal at 6:30 p.m.
and the show will follow at 7:30 p.m. at the Gen. Butler Conference
Center. Single tickets for the dinner theater only are $35 per person
plus tax, and are on sale through noon on Nov. 13.
The production revolves around Tony Marconi, who doesn’t show up
for his wedding. The bride-to-be, Tina Medina, is crying her eyes out
and singing her grief. “It’s a fun evening full of good food,
wonderful performance with lots of laughter and audience participation,”
said Tanya Supplee, Program Services Supervisor for the park.
The park is offering a special weekend package for $275 (plus tax) per
couple. The package includes the dinner theater, two nights lodging
at Butler Lodge (Friday and Saturday), a tour of the Butler-Turpin State
Historic House, Friday dinner and breakfast buffets on Saturday and
Sunday.
The first dinner theater presented at Gen. Butler State Resort Park
took place in 2001. “It was a nostalgic re-creation of a 1940s
Radio Show,” said Supplee.
The park books traveling production companies for the dinner theater.
The Conference Center can seat up to 40 tables, with six to eight individuals
at each table.
Depending upon the performance, “most attendees are from out of
town, utilizing the weekend package,” said Supplee. Located between
Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio, the park “offers that
perfect destination for an evening out or that weekend getaway. ”
The “Tony & Tina Murder Mystery” includes lots of audience
participation. Involving the audience “gives us more characters
to involve in the murder and keeps the audience engaged,” said
Whiting. “They love to see their friends performing!”
• This production is intended for adult audiences. For more information or to make reservations, call Gen. Butler State Resort Park at 1-866-462-8853.