GreenMan Theatre’s murder mystery dinner puts a new spin on ‘Pride & Prejudice’
For its popular murder mystery dinner theater, GreenMan Theatre is putting on “Pride & Prejudice & Murder,” written and directed by Justin Vidovic.
In this production, Mr. Darcy has not deigned to dance with even one lady at Mr. Bingley’s ball. In fact, he has leaned against a wall and not spoken a word to anyone. He is either the most arrogant and aloof man that Elizabeth Bennet has ever had the misfortune of meeting, or he is dead.
And with the recent murders of several eligible bachelors in the county, it is beginning to look like the latter. It was difficult enough for five sisters with no inheritance to speak of to find suitable matches before these mysterious deaths, but every poisoning, every slit throat, brings them closer to spinsterhood.
Now Elizabeth and her sisters must solve the murders and catch the killer before there is simply no one left to marry!
The audience will be asked for their guesses on “Whodunit,” with prizes awarded. If there are several correct guesses, those names will be put in a hat and winners drawn from there.
Performances of “Pride & Prejudice & Murder” will be at 7 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 27 and March 6; 7 p.m. Saturday, March 7; and 6 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Angelo's Ristorante, 247 N. York Road in Elmhurst. Feb 28 is already sold out and there is very limited seats available for March 7.
Tickets are $60 and include the show and an Italian dinner. Tickets can only be purchased online at greenmantheatre.org; no ticket sales at the door. Tickets must be purchased at least three days in advance of each performance. The production is a popular event, and performances sell out quickly.
Costumes (and comedy) abound
A play’s costuming can tell its own story about the era in which it is set. Cast costumes for “Pride & Prejudice & Murder,” symbolic of class and social standing, reflect the fashion of the Regency Period (1790-1820) when England was at war with Napoleon’s France.
“It was challenging trying to get 18 cast members outfitted in Regency fashion, so I put together a sheet about Regency clothing for the cast,” said Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff, main costumer who also plays the role of Mrs. Agatha Bingley. “Many cast members chipped in and bought their own costumes and added items from their own wardrobes.”
Some characters in “Pride & Prejudice & Murder” needed similar outfits while others’ costumes could not clash. “There was a lot of coordination and consulting,” Thomas-Davidoff said. “The Bennet sisters needed to look like a family group. And Jane Bennet’s look couldn’t clash with Mr. Bingley’s, nor Elizabeth Bennet’s with Mr. Darcy’s.”
Costumes can also lend a comedic effect to productions. Mary-Carol Riehs plays Lady Catherine de Bourgh, a titled older woman who wears styles that look more like those of the 1780s, or Marie Antoinette period.
She is outfitted in a lace and satin hoop skirt decorated with bows and an elaborate wig embellished with a small paper replica of a three-masted ship.
“Marie Antoinette was famous for wearing a ship or bird’s nest in her wigs,” Riehs said. “We tried to be as period appropriate as we could but because ‘Pride & Prejudice & Murder’ is a spoof we could take some liberties.”
Kyle Rath, who plays Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, ordered his custom tailcoat from Etsy. His high-waisted, six-button button-up trousers, vest and high-collared white shirt were sourced from another website. His ascot, suspenders and boots are Rath’s own accessories.
An actor’s character development can also be aided by costuming. Rath said he feels “empowered and regal” when outfitted in his character’s formal attire. For Riehs, “Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s hoop skirt and wig help me command some attention.”
“Pride & Prejudice & Murder” audience members are encouraged to dress in period style from Jane Austen’s books, if they would like to do so. A costume prize will be awarded at each performance to one person or couple dressed in Regency style.
In its 22nd season, GreenMan Theatre Troupe is a nonprofit 501(c)3 whose mission is to provide a source of cultural enrichment and pride for the community by presenting diverse, quality productions and providing opportunities for personal growth in the theatrical arts.
GreenMan has been presenting plays in Elmhurst since being founded in 2003. Past productions include “Dracula,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Doubtful Abbey.” GreenMan also offers classes and workshops for members and the community and welcomes new members and participants in all aspects of theater production. GreenMan programs are partially supported by Explore Elmhurst, as well as other individual and corporate donations.