Nate who?!

The show must go on! That's what they say anyway. But tell that to my actors who were scheduled to perform last night at La Paz for a private party. "Are we cancelling?" they asked. "I mean, we're cancelling, right?"  With all the hype going on all week it was tempting... but, I got in touch with the group and nope, no way were they cancelling, so neither were we!

This group was getting married the next day (today) come hell or high water. And I do mean high water. Because Nate came and went leaving quite a mess behind him. But the point is, they were getting married, and they wanted their show! So we gave them a show! Nate conveniently didn't drop any rain on us until sometime in the middle of the night, the actors and guests all made it to and from La Paz without a spec of rain on them, and the show went on without a hitch.

Thanks so much to my fantastic cast of SEX, LIES, AND MAIL-ORDER BRIDES!  You guys were real troupers and I appreciate your hard work and dedication.  Another reason I love Act4Murder!

-- Paula

Cynthia Bergquist and Chris Manson braving the storm at La Paz!

New Mysterious Grounds!

With our summer shows behind us, we're slipping into our Fall schedule with little fanfare. EXCEPT for the fact we are FINALLY doing a show out on 30A!!  We'll be at Redd's Fueling Station Saturday night, September 23, and it's our very first public show out that way!  Excited to bring our one-of-a-kind humor to those folks.

That said, our web guru forgot to add Redd's to our pulldown list for reservations.  I chastised her (ME, I'M the web guru) and fixed the code tonight, but like my old friend Julie Shaw always said, "DAAAAAANG!" What a way to mess up.  :(

At any rate, IF the show goes on, we'll be performing A MEDLEY TO DIE FOR.  Hoping anyone reading this who lives out in the 30A area will make reservations this week (it's working now, I promise!).  Details are on our website (www.act4murder.com) and our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/act4whodunnit).

Hope to see you there!  -- Paula

15 Years of KILLING IT!

We've had a fantastic summer! Great shows at La Paz in Destin, Samuel's Roadhouse Grill in Crestview, the Twisted Grape in Shalimar, and various private shows all over the area including Navarre, Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola Beach. This past Saturday we had such a great show at the Elk's Lodge on Pensacola Beach that the actors in the show, KILLER IN THE KITCHEN, sent emails back and forth congratulating themselves.  One of the actors, David Smith, has his own pool cleaning business and, in fact, cleans our pool. My boyfriend/Act4Murder Ninja said that today (the day David cleans our pool) David didn't have time to clean the pool because they spent so much time patting each other on the backs!  How funny is that?!  Here are excerpts from their emails:

From Joe Chase: Last night was a uniquely special performance... Everyone was a star!  It's rare that everyone in the cast can stand out at the same time. But last night that happened and it was very special.
From Chris Manson:  What a night. You always go in hoping it will be good, but you never expect the Best Show Ever. 
From Missy Rogers We were all on point last night and it showed through in the performance. I love this show and can't imagine it with any other cast. Congrats to everyone!
From David Smith: Totally was an awesome performance by the whole cast... it was one of the most receptive audience that I have ever been a part of... such a pleasure performing with this great cast.
From Kay Yarbrough: Great show! Two standing ovations. A comment that we were better than Broadway and an on spot cast. Thank you my fellow actors and the Pensacola Beach Elks Club!

Congratulations KILLERS!  I love it that after 15 years of performance we are still KILLING it!

Posted by PAULA HILTON, ACT4MURDER FOUNDER

Our Latest Press Release - The 10th Annual Act4Murder Accolades!

Act4Murder founder Paula Hilton and Act4Murder Ninja Chris Manson hosted the 10th Annual Act4Murder Accolades Saturday, February 4, at “Beachfront Beauty" on Pensacola Beach. The party was attended by the actors and their guests, along with Ms. Hilton's parents, Paulina and Jim Hilton, sister Dr. Julie McNabb, and niece Krista McNabb. Ms. Hilton wore a floor-length metallic-mesh embroidered A-line ballgown by Jessica Howard, and Mr. Manson greeted guests in a black tuxedo with silver bow-tie. Keeping with the theme, “Stick with Act4Murder,” guests were treated to a variety of food “on sticks,” including Chinese Pork Meatballs, Deep-Fried Ravioli, Crispy Orange Beef, Mojo Pork Kebobs, Ground Shrimp, Chicken Satay, Sweet Potato Round, Crab Cake Bites and Wedge Salad.  For dessert, a Chocolate Fountain with Marshmallows and Strawberries (on sticks) complimented the delicous selection of cookies from Sundy Schwartz Keichel of Keichel Cookies.

The awards are voted on by Act4Murder's cast and crew. Winners included:  Best Show, Pirates, Lies, and Mail-Order Brides; Best Couple (tie) Jessika Kelsh and Mark Clutter, and Kay Yarbrough and Ron Altman; Best Villainess, Mary Ann Troiano; Best Villain, Ken Olson; Best Killer (Actress), Kay Yarbrough; Best Killer (Actor), Joe Chase; Best Sleuth (Actress), Kay Yarbrough; Best Sleuth (Actor), Chris Manson; Best Supporting Actress, Cynthia Bergquist; Best Supporting Actor, Joe Chase; Best Actress, Kay Yarbrough; Best Actor, Joe Chase and Chris Manson (tie). Miss Congeniality was awarded to Jessika Kelsh, and Mr. Congeniality to Ron Altman, for their rehearsal and performance night demeanor. Best "Prop and Costume" work was awarded to Mr. and Mrs. Hilton, Best Supporter to Dr. McNabb, and Best Choreographer to Rochelle Kimball.

In addition to two 15-minute videos created by Ms. Hilton featuring last year’s Accolades and performance highlights of 2016, actors were also recognized for their community service in 2016, including volunteering for several Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation events, volunteer performances for winners of the Pensacola Little Theater and Destin Charity Wine Auctions, volunteer performances for the Arc of the Emerald Coast, and performing during a presentation at the Walton County Coastal Library for their Winter series.

The evening ended with dancing to some of the top pop and country hits of 2016, with a couple of old school Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton songs slipped in for Mr. and Mrs. Hilton. 

Act4Murder was founded in 2003. In 2016 they performed for over 2000 guests at public, private and fundraising events. They are entering their 15th performance year and plan to “stick around” for some time.  For more information about Act4Murder, call (850) 862-2885 or visit www.act4murder.com.

From left - Best Choreographer Rochelle Kimball, Founder Paula Hilton, Best Couple and Miss Congeniality Jessika Kelsh, Best Costume and Prop Master Paulina Hilton, Best Supporters Krista McNabb and Dr. Julie McNabb.  Photo by Bailey Eubanks