Local mystery dinner theater celebrates a milestone
By Kai Oliver-Kurtin
As one of only a few murder-mystery dinner theaters in town, Mystery Cafe in Bankers Hill is celebrating its 25th year in business. Holding shows in a private dining room within Imperial House Continental Restaurant on most Friday and Saturday nights, Mystery Cafe typically attracts about 80 people per interactive dinner show. Owners Shawn and Mary Greiner purchased the interactive dinner theater earlier this year when they were faced with either watching it shutter, or taking over operations from the previous owner.
Shawn Greiner has performed with the company for almost 15 years, while his wife Mary has seen several of the productions in her supporting role.
“Mystery Cafe was conceived at the height of the murder-mystery era, and although the novelty has worn off, our theater has remained,” Shawn said. “We don’t just produce murder-mystery shows, we produce comedic productions that have a murder-mystery plot — and hire actors who are masters of improv and audience interaction.”
Though he is still an actor at the Mystery Cafe, Shawn now also manages everything concerning show production, including casting, directing, and soon-to-be writing the productions. Mary is the production manager in charge of lighting and sound during shows, but also handles business management roles, including payroll, customer service and reservations.
Show themes at Mystery Cafe run for about a year, depending upon sales and how well each is received. The current show, written by Jim Pascrella and directed by Shawn, “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Wake,” runs through January 2016. The next show, set to open in February, will be a parody of the popular board game Clue.
“People love murder mystery,” Shawn said. “The storyline is captivating and immediately calls for interaction because you’re trying to figure out who the killer is. Mystery Cafe takes that interaction to the next level by having our audience be part of the show from the moment they arrive.”
When recruiting talent for productions, Shawn has found many new performers through his full-time job at Legoland, where he employs about 100 performers annually. Regular auditions are also held at Mystery Cafe throughout the year to find local professional actors with improv experience.
Once the cast is assembled, they have about 10 rehearsals together prior to the show’s opening. From there, the production often changes based on audience response.
“We use over-the-top characters in every show, and the actors play multiple roles,” Shawn explained, adding that part of the element of surprise for the dining audience is seeing a character as they enter the venue for the first time.
“Most of our improv involves audience members, and when you pull someone up from the audience, you never know what you’re going to get,” he said. “So you have to be able to roll with the punches.”
Mystery Cafe is still deciding how to celebrate its milestone anniversary, but is considering inviting original cast members and people who have impacted the theater over the years to return for a special one-night-only performance.
“I never imagined that I would be involved in the theater — much less the owner of one,” Mary said. “But now that I am, I have developed a passion for this business I didn’t think was possible.”
Mystery Cafe interactive theater performances are held inside Imperial House Restaurant, located at 505 Kalmia St., in Bankers Hill. Valet and on-street parking is available. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., the show starts at 8 p.m., and each performance comes with a three-course meal. Visit their website for tickets, menu options, special promotions, private events and additional information at sandiegomysterycafe.com.
—Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a local freelance writer. She enjoys covering events, restaurant news, culture and entertainment. Contact her at [email protected].
