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First Murder Mystery Dinner Show Planned

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2008

"Whodunit?" will be the question at Freedom Plaza's first-ever murder mystery dinner show, "Murder in a Minor Key."

The scenario: At a banquet following an opera performance, Maestro Macaroni "Big Mac" Metronome falls face first in his salad...dead from poisoning. Who among the guests had motive or opportunity to kill him? Was it the diva, Carlotta Cadenza? The concert master, Fritz Fiddler? The stage director, Cecil B.D. Millstone? Or was it another of the illustrious guests and banquet attendees?

That will be for all the diners to determine as the mystery unfolds and clues are presented throughout the meal. Taking part in this fanciful farce with food will be a number of "Freedom Frolickers," resident cast members of past Freedom Frolics shows. They relish this mid-year opportunity to hone their acting skills in preparation for next spring's production of Freedom Frolics XVI.

In addition, as befits this opera- themed event, four singers from Opera Tampa, all characters in the plot, will present a "show within a show" as they entertain with vocal selections throughout dinner.

Sponsored by the Freedom Plaza Opera Club, "Murder in a Minor Key" is a fund-raising event to benefit the recently instituted Opera Tampa Apprentice Program. Begun only two years ago, this program - as does the similar Sarasota Opera Apprentice Program - provides direction, support and stage opportunities for singers on the threshold of their operatic careers. The programs, and their counterparts across the country, speak well for America's "taking care of our own" rather than requiring our young artists to seek experience on European opera stages, as has been the norm in the past.

Written and directed by the creator of the popular Freedom Frolics comedies, "Murder in a Minor Key"- slated for Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. - promises an evening of good food, good wine, good humor, and good music and all for a good cause. Reservations are $30 per person, and table seating selections are available by calling (813) 642-1213 or (813) 642-1215 during business hours.

Peggy Burgess is the creative director for Freedom Plaza.

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