Murder, mystery, meals: The Dinner Detective pairs interactive theater with fine dining
Editor's note: This story is featured in OU Daily's Best of Oklahoma guide, which is available around campus in March-April. Check out other featured stories at the bottom of this The Dinner Detective, an interactive and interactive experience in downtown Oklahoma City, combines murder mystery stories with a multi-course meal. The event was founded in 2004 by Kelly and Scott O’Brien, who debuted the concept in Los Angeles. The cast of The Dinner Detective is composed of local artists from various backgrounds, some of whom have starred in major motion films like "Jurassic World" and "Orange Is the New Black". The majority of the show is improvisation, influenced by audience engagement. Audience members are invited to an upscale dinner party where a crime occurs, and the rest of the narrative is up to them. The dinner takes place at the Skirvin Hilton, which is said to be haunted by the ghost of a maid named Effie.
Published : a month ago by Cassidy Martin in Lifestyle General
Editor's note: This story is featured in OU Daily's Best of Oklahoma guide, which is available around campus in March-April. Check out other featured stories at the bottom of this article.
An eccentric and interactive experience in downtown Oklahoma City, The Dinner Detective intertwines murder mystery stories with a multi-course meal.
The Dinner Detective was founded in 2004 by Kelly and Scott O’Brien, who debuted the concept in Los Angeles. Today, there are 91 locations nationally, and a recently opened location in Toronto, Canada.
The cast of The Dinner Detective is composed of local artists from a variety of backgrounds. Some performers are traditional and improvisational actors, others are musicians or sociable people looking for a unique work environment.
The casts are ever-changing and auditions are held every few months to replace cast members who may take breaks for other projects. According to co-executive producer and performer Stephen Wilder, some performers have gone from The Dinner Detective to major motion pictures like “Jurassic World” and “Orange Is the New Black.”
Each cast member is provided with an outline for the show, which changes approximately every three months. The majority of the show is improvisation, influenced by audience engagement. The cast members evoke conversation and encourage role play from the audience members, creating a unique experience every night.
The magic comes from the cast’s ability to connect with the audience and provide an interactive experience to everyone, regardless of where they are seated. Wilder described the environment as less of a theater show and more of a party.
“You’re not just watching the action, you become a part of it,” Wilder said.
Wilder said the cast is professionally trained to navigate the interactive theater setting and will never make guests feel uncomfortable. The audience can choose to sit and observe or to interact with the detectives and other guests.
Regardless of the script, each show follows a structure: Audience members are invited to an upscale dinner party at which a crime occurs, guests collaborate to solve the mystery and the rest of the narrative is completely up to the people in the room.
The cast members perform and interact with the audience throughout the entire night and a few are even disguised as guests seated at the tables. The audience member who can solve the crime with the most detail receives a prize at the end of the night.
The Dinner Detective takes place at the Skirvin Hilton, built in downtown Oklahoma City by oil and real estate millionaire Bill Skirvin in 1911. The hotel is said to be haunted by the ghost of a maid named Effie. Legend says Skirvin locked her in a room on the 10th floor upon discovering she was pregnant with their illegitimate child. After giving birth, she jumped from the window. Hotel guests claim that the ghost still roams the hallways.
When entering the Skirvin, The Dinner Detective cast members encourage the audience to create a persona for the evening.
“We’ve had Barbie, Bugs Bunny and Tony Stark join us for dinner,” Oklahoma City associate producer Derek Miller said.
Audience members are then directed into a ballroom where rows of round banquet tables are set. The show’s two intermissions correspond with the courses of the meal. During this time, audience members can discuss clues, eat, drink and socialize.
The Dinner Detective partners with the Skirvin to serve guests a multi-course meal at each show. Guests can select one of three entrees, including potato-crusted chicken, roasted salmon with lemon cream sauce or eggplant with balsamic glaze.
Before the show begins, audience members are offered an appetizer in addition to a seasonal green salad. Enough time is provided to ensure that everyone can visit the full-service bar, which is not included in the ticket price.
During the first intermission, audience members are served their selected entree and have plenty of time to discuss the first set of clues. Once the second act ends, the Skirvin team arrives with creme brulee for dessert.
In addition to public shows, The Dinner Detective hosts private events such as company functions, wedding receptions, family reunions and more.
General admission is $78.95 and includes the multi-course meal, wait staff gratuity and admission. Public shows starting at 6 p.m. are available three times a month at the Skirvin. Audience members are expected to arrive by 5:45 p.m. in business casual attire. Tickets can be found on The Dinner Detective website.
This story was edited by Shelby Emery and Emma Blakley. Kylie Caldwell, Grace Rhodes and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
Topics: Crime, Murder