The planning committee for the Washington Area Community Center’s annual gala is hoping to prove to Washington residents they do not have to slug all the way to Chicago or even across the
river to Peoria to experience first-class entertainment.
Murder Mystery Players Inc., from Chicago, will stage an interactive murder mystery dinner, “Murder Most Romantic,” in the banquet room at Five Points Washington for the WACC’s annual gala in February.
Traditionally a fundraiser for the WACC and, in more recent years, for the building of Five Points Washington, this year’s event will have a different purpose.
“We wanted to offer something new and unique to Washington and show the community all that Five Points has to offer,” Kathryn Ehrsam said.
Ehrsam said many people still think automatically of the Peoria Civic Center when they think of entertainment in the area.
“We’re hoping this unique event will generate more awareness in the community about all that Five Points has to offer. A lot of people think of Five Points as just a place to exercise or for seniors to play cards, but we have a beautiful theater and beautiful banquet halls, and it’s convenient for Washington residents,” Ehrsam said.
The Murder Mystery Players were chosen after a lot of research into professional acting troupes across the country. Ehrsam said they ultimately chose the company from Chicago to keep the event as locally oriented as possible.
“They have been in existence and extremely popular in Chicago for more than 20 years. They get rave reviews. We want to make sure, if people are interested, they can see the show in Washington or Chicago. Although it’s not technically local, it definitely is compared to some of the acting companies from New York.”
Different from the annual gala’s traditional event with singers, comedians or even ventriloquists, the murder mystery dinner is a very interactive evening with the actors circulating around tables encouraging guests to ask questions, gather clues and solve the crime.
“People can reserve a whole table and all be on the same team. There are prizes for the winning tables,” Ehrsam said.
Ehrsam said they hope to sell between 300 and 350 tickets for the event.
“Murder Most Romantic” will be 6 p.m. Feb. 6 in the banquet room at Five Points Washington. Tickets are $60 per person and $450 for a table of eight. They include live entertainment and a three-course meal by Basta O’Neill’s from Washington. Call 444-3901 to make a reservation.
