Elmhurst troupe stages murder-mystery
Don't bring your binoculars to performances by Elmhurst's community theater troupe.
Spectators will see all they need to — up close and personal — at several performances of the murder-mystery dinner-theater show “Here's Looking at You … Dead!”
The GreenMan Theatre Troupe production opens at 7 p.m. today at Angelo's Ristorante, 247 N. York Road, Elmhurst.
“I like to think of this as theater without a net,” said Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff, co-playwright and director. “You know how tightrope people, if they're performing without a net, it's that much more exciting? We're performing in the round.”
The production, dreamed up by Thomas-Davidoff and fellow teacher Carl Zeitler during last summer break, is a nod to “Casablanca” and to a lesser known plot by Hitler during World War II to steal art throughout Europe.
Set in Paris, cafe owner Nick has chased his ex-girlfriend, Julia, from their hometown of Berwyn to France, where she is aiding in the war effort.
By chance, Julia stumbles into Nick's cafe, where drama ensues and someone ends up dead.
Much like the whole show, the audience feels involved and gets a chance to vote on who they suspect committed the murder.
Throughout the show, actors are moving in and out of tables as spectators dine and watch. They'll see actors weave through their tables during chase scenes and even have songs address certain audience members.
“It gives an immediacy in the theater,” Thomas-Davidoff said. “It's (not) like going to one of the downtown theaters and you're sitting all the way in Row X. Here, the actors may be right next to you.”
Additionally, “Casablanca” lovers will be able to pick out some of the parallels in the show, including similar flashback scenes, music and some lines.
“There's improv and we all add our little bits to the pot,” said Zeitler, co-playwright who also plays Nick. “We throw our ingredients into the stew and make it change flavor as it goes on.”
This is the seventh murder-mystery play by GreenMan Theatre, an Elmhurst-based community theater group. GreenMan members perform a spring and a fall show each year.
The show opens at 7 p.m. today with performances at 7 p.m. Feb. 19, 25 and 26 and 6 p.m. Feb. 27.
Tickets, $45 for dinner and the performance, are available online at greenmantheatre.com.
For details, call (630) 464-2646 or visit the website.
If you go
What: GreenMan Theatre's “Here's Looking at You … Dead!” murder-mystery dinner theater
When: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 18 to 26, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27
Where: Angelo's Ristorante, 247 N. York Road, Elmhurst
Cost: $45 for dinner and performance
Info: (630) 464-2646 or <a href="http://www.greenmantheatre.com">greenmantheatre.com</a>