GreenMan Theatre Rounds Up Fundraising Entertainment with
“How the West Was Done In”
Elmhurst, IL – GreenMan Theatre offers their annual dinner theatre murder mystery fundraiser for 5 performances beginning February 17, and the production helps this local theatre company stay in operation as a non-profit organization. This year's show is titled "How the West Was Done In" and was written by GreenMan members Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff and Carl Zeitler. Thomas-Davidoff, who also directs, reflected on the process. "We write a script, but the actors also add some improvisation and interact with the audience, as well. We like to think that we are doing murder mysteries with an emphasis on high quality of script, acting, music, and production values. We want the audience to have a quality experience."
GreenMan Theatre has done these murder mystery shows since they began as a theatre company. GreenMan Artistic Director David Soria, one of the co-founders along with Jill Perez and Carole Thorpe, realizes the importance of these fundraisers. "GreenMan really counts on our audiences for this show, as our season has expanded and our group has grown. We have to rent space to perform in, and to store our sets and props. Those costs really add up fast, and the money we raise by doing a dinner show each year help us cover those expenses."
Their first dinner theatre show "Boardwalk Melody Hour Murders" was set to run for only one performance, but the interest was so great that it sold out quickly, and a second performance was added. The next year GreenMan expanded the total to three shows. They are currently up to five performances. While the number of performances has grown, the format has remained the same. Audiences are treated to a show full of comedy, interaction with actors, songs, dance numbers, and a chance to guess who committed the crime. They also receive a full course family style Italian dinner with dessert and free parking. A social hour with cash bar available before the show begins allows the audience to enjoy the actors mingling with them as their characters. Clues and character backgrounds are revealed during this time. The actors also mingle with the audience during dinner breaks throughout the show.
"Another part of our murder mystery evolution has been the inclusion of Anne Thompson, our Musical Director, who brings a wealth of talent, experience, and creativity to the music of the show," Thomas-Davidoff said. With "How the West Was Done In," Thompson's challenge was to incorporate music from the old west, music in the style of Hollywood westerns, and music from the 1960's. Thompson admits that the country and western genre is not her forte, so she searched for old country songs on youtube and found many great songs to choose from. Humor is always a focus when she searches for songs that suit the actors and the storyline. "I think the audience is really going to enjoy the music this year because we are going to surprise them with a lot of well-loved country songs that haven't been heard in a long time," Thompson said.
Show dates are Feb. 17-18-24-25-26. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7 PM and the Sunday performance begins at 6 PM. Doors open an hour before showtime for a cash bar as the characters mingle with the audience.
Advance reservations are required and can be made here or by calling 630-464-2646. The fee of $50 includes the show, a full course meal, and parking. "A similar evening in Chicago would cost double or triple what a murder mystery costs at GreenMan," Thomas-Davidoff added. The audience can even get in the act if they wish by dressing up in western garb or in clothes from the 60's. The audience does not have to dress up to attend the show, but GreenMan does award a prize for most original costume as well as prizes to selected patrons who guess the culprit correctly. "It's all part of a fun, entertaining evening of theatre," Soria noted.
