Behind the curtain

There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes of an Act4Murder show before the curtain goes up. We don't actually have a curtain since we perform in restaurants around the tables, but you get what I mean. There's a lot that has to happen. I was thinking about that last night after I got home from a very big show at Joey's Italian Grill in Niceville.

I started working on getting last night's show ready at 9:00 AM., and finished at 3:30 PM. What was I doing? Figuring out how to seat 100 people at a set number of tables and booths, getting our V.I.P. packages in order, printing handouts, creating a schedule, gathering up prizes, and making sure we had all the goodies for the tables ready to go.

Once there, my immediate task is always to get the tables configured for the guests. Yesterday was particular difficult because I had something like 20 couples, ten or so medium-sized groups of four, five and six, and three large groups of eight and ten.  It took about an hour to get all the names assigned to tables and make sure no one was accidentally left out.

And as I was working on that, some of the actresses showed up early to help set the tables with handouts, table signs, centerpieces, pens and beads. All the stuff we put out to compliment the theme of the show. And Chris, Act4Murder Ninja, worked on setting up the music booth and music, and getting props and any other show needs in place. When that was done, the actors rehearsed the "death dance," figured out their blocking, and then settled back into the green room to run lines and finish their makeup and hair.

That's just MY side of. Imagine the restaurant! When the guests start arriving, the staff immediately takes their drink and entree orders, delivers the drinks, takes care of any special requests, and deals with any seating or venue issues. Can you imagine what's happening in the kitchen?  They have 100 entrees to get out in about a 20 minute period of time, a detailed Murder Mystery Night Schedule to follow, and the normal dinner crowd in the other room that want their food now!

Honestly, when the show finally DOES start, that's when everyone can relax and have fun. And they did have fun last night! The show, A CONDO TO KILL FOR, is a humorous look at a Timeshare Presentation from HELL! Lots of laughs in this one - you can imagine with 100 people in the room what that sounds like.

100 people! This was our biggest public show all year, thanks in part to Christopher Cartenuto and the staff at Joey's. They did an amazing job of promoting the show - keeping brochures on the tables, talking it up to guests, putting it in their newsletter, and promoting on social media. This is exactly what's needed when two businesses merge for one event - I wish all of our venues were as cooperative about advertising as Joey's. Because between their efforts and ours, we had a fabulous turnout and a great night!

Thanks, Niceville, for your support - hope to see you all again next time around!   ~~ Paula