MANSFIELD – It’s a classic case of “whodunnit” at the Renaissance Theatre this weekend, and it’s your job to solve the case.
Back by popular demand, the Renaissance will present a second showing of “Murder Mystery at the Ohio Theatre” on Friday and Saturday. Refreshments will be served starting at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m.
Audiences will have the opportunity to investigate – and potentially solve – the real-life unsolved murder that occurred in 1929 at the Ohio Theatre. According to newspaper clippings, Edward A. Rafter was the manager of the Ohio Theatre when he was shot and wounded by a masked bandit who sought the contents of the safe. Rafter later died as a result of his injuries.
Using old stories as inspiration, Artistic Director Michael Thomas put together a story in the form of a performance. Solving the mystery will require quite a bit of interaction with the victim and the suspects, and following clues throughout the theatre to solve the murder mystery as a cast of local actors recreates the infamous night.
The mystery’s director Ryan Shealy, who also serves as the Renaissance’s front of house and rentals manager, said the show will be divided into three acts: action prior to the murder, a few songs, and an interrogation portion involving the audience before the final reveal at the end.
“It’s been adapted with the real names and real people, but we’ve fictionalized the relationships and where and how it all actually happened,” Shealy said.
This is the second performance of the murder mystery at the Renaissance, with the first show selling out this past January. Returning guests can rest assured – the ending will be changed.
“It’s similar, but surprising,” Shealy said.
Also returning to the murder mystery is a cast of eight local actors ready to reprise their roles. The cast includes Michael Miller, Patrick Clinage, Mary Frankenfield, Condrea Webber, Maddie Beer, Ryan Shreve, Colton Penwell and Scott Schag.
The biggest challenge for the cast in a murder mystery is the element of improvisation. While each cast member has a general outline of the story and their talking points, many of their responses are made up on the spot. And no one knows the identity of the murderer until the night of the show.
“I love improv because I’m really good about going with the flow,” said Webber, who plays a has-been actress trying to steal back the spotlight. “And it’s fun to stay in character. I tried to throw them off.”
For some, improvisational acting comes easier than for others.
“I waited as long as possible before I had to come out and talk to people,” said Scott Schag with a laugh. Schag plays an old-fashioned Mansfield gangster – and no, he doesn’t know anything about trap doors at Wiener King.
“I avoided improv in college,” he added. “It’s a completely different thing.”
Both actors agreed the best way to enjoy a murder mystery show is wholehearted audience participation.
“The more questions they ask us, the more clues they think they have, the more fun it’s going to be,” Webber said. “I’m so excited.”
For more information about the upcoming “Murder Mystery at the Ohio Theatre” show, visit the Renaissance Theatre’s website.
