Annual October Frenzy!

The past week with Act4Murder was filled with the usual October craziness - several shows at multiple locations.  It's funny because in October we also compete with the World Series, the NFL, and about 15 different Halloween-themed fundraisers and events, but we still manage to bring in decent-sized audiences and have a blast in the process.  This year was particularly challenging because we had two shows on one night - and one of them, for over 200 guests, was in Mobile, Alabama.  It meant Chris and I had to figure out how to split up the sound equipment, table decorations, and "dead" props (stretcher, wheelchair, guns, that kind of thing). But we did it, and we both managed our shows (him in Crestview, me in Mobile) effectively with no giant problems.  Made me feel pretty good about how efficient we've become.  And both casts did a great job too!

Chris managed three more shows this week - 4C BBQ in DeFuniak Springs, La Paz in Destin, and our final Halloween show last night at The Club at Hidden Creek in Navarre.  He did a fantastic job, as usual, and I couldn't be happier with our October shows.

Next up, a slew of private parties.  They're coming in fast and furious and I'm having a heck of a time keeping up! But if you're thinking of hiring us for your own party, just send me an email and I'll get you on the calendar.

Happy November everyone! -- Paula

Two for Two at Destin, Florida's Dinner Table

Our second show at The Dinner Table in Destin was just as fun as the first, maybe more fun. Our Oct. 22 performance of Pirates, Lies and Mail-Order Brides (formerly Sex, Lies and Mail-Order Brides) was a big hit. The cast - me, David Smith, Mark Clutter, Ken Olson, Mary Ann Troiano and Kristi Morris - was spot-on, the audience was lively, and restaurant honcho Bridget Carnley and her staff did the expected great job.

Nobody outside of the cast dressed like a pirate, aside from one guy that sported an eyepatch during the last scene. Another fellow brought a bottle of Pyrat Rum that he refused to share with the cast (can't say I blame him). The audience question and answer participation segment was particularly memorable.

We can't wait to go back to this place, so call 'em up or stop by (breakfast and lunch daily except Wednesdays, dinner Thursday through Saturday) and tell them to bring back Act4Murder!

If you still want to see our latest pirate spectacular (complete with song and dance numbers!), make your reservations for next week's shows in DeFuniak Springs and Navarre at www.act4murder.com.

- Chris

We Know All About Your Privates...

We love performing for private groups, whether it's 20 or 200 (or more). Friday night, Act4Murder customized Redneck Rivalry - a funny and songful story of feuding cousins, love triangles and bacon - for 60 very enthusiastic folks in town from California. The cast - me, David Smith, Sally Whitesell, Kristi Morris and Karen Monroe - were provided with some personal info on the guests from our generous event organizer Don Fruta, and all were well-received by the targets of our "additional dialogue."

We can do the same for you and your friends. Just check out the private party info on our website, act4murder.com.

If you'd like to see Redneck Rivalry, we'll be back at La Paz in Destin (one of our new favorite venues) Oct. 30. Restaurant honcho Chatham Morgan promises some fantastic costume contest prizes, and we're looking forward to going back there.

- Chris

Act4Murder's Sally Whitesell and Kristi Morris working on their important pre-show tasks at La Paz in Destin, Florida.

Murder on the Docks

Saturday night the gang dusted off their machine guns and zoot suits to perform Gangsters on the Gangplank, a Prohibition-era show that takes place on a boat. This was a private party for a nice Pensacola couple, The Simpsons (no, not Homer and Marge), who won this performance in an auction for the Pensacola Little Theater (yes, Act4 does support other theater groups in the area!).

Our hosts were very generous, all the guests dressed appropriately, and lots of hooch was consumed, contributing to the overall good vibe.

We didn't actually perform on a boat, but the view of the docks behind the Simpsons' home was breathtaking. There was also some kind of wedding party going on at a place on the other side of the water, and when my character Smokey Provolone came back in at one point, I had to make reference to that futuristic "gangsta rap" song we could hear on the Simpsons' back porch. (It was "Regulate" by Warren G and Nate Dogg.)

Thanks again to everyone that came to the party, the catering team, and our own terrific cast - Joe Chase, Kay Yarbrough, Mary Ann Troiano, Jim Downum and David Smith. We love doing private shows in people's houses, boats and whatnot. If you'd like to host your own Act4Murder party, check out our website.

- Chris

Another Great New Act4 Venue in Destin, Florida

Thursday night, we had the pleasure of performing our first Act4Murder show at La Paz restaurant in Destin. Chatham Morgan and his staff were spot on, everything ran smoothly and on schedule, and the audience enjoyed our Fab '50s show Bebopped at the Sock Hop.

The cast--Missy Rogers, Mary Ann Troiano, Ken Olson, Heidi Best-Swift, Karen Monroe and myself--was amazing as always. I especially enjoy the new "twist" I added to my character, the washed up jazzbo DJ Barry Contrary--all the music is on good ol' vinyl. The food was great, too, and we can't wait to go back there.

Thanks again, everyone. Best Throwback Thursday ever!

Our New Performance Location in Destin Is to DIE For!

Last night, Act4Murder had its first-ever performance at The Dinner Table (or The Breakfast Table, as it's known weekday mornings and early afternoons) in Destin. Usually when we go into a new location, there are some expected bugs, foul-ups and general confusion. But this place? None, whatsoever! My only gripe is that we didn't start performing here sooner.

The show we did, A Vacation to Die For, was well-received by an audience of locals (including one nice couple that literally lived right across the street) and visitors. The audience participation was at an all-time high, and our fake musical duo, the Wonky-Wunkus Mariachi Mystique, actually had six bucks in the tip jar at the end of the show. (We gave it to Kay Yarbrough, who lives in Pensacola, for gas money.)

We've been doing this show a lot for the past five or six years with the same cast (me, Kay, Jim Downum, Mary Ann Troiano and Cynthia Bergquist), with only a few occasions of other Act4 actors stepping in as understudies. It's hard to keep this particular production fresh, but thanks to the great audience and restaurant staff, A Vacation to Die For has been seriously revitalized. (Keep in mind, the last time we did the show was for a private group of mostly teenagers, and we were interrupted constantly by passing trains outside...)

Anyway, looking forward to going back to The Dinner Table Thursday, Oct. 22, with our brand new pirate show. If you missed last night, you need to come to this one. If you came last night, you already know you want to go back.

Did I mention the food was delicious?

- Chris

A KILLER Night in Crestview!

Giant SHOUT OUT to Crestview! First time EVER, in 13 years, every person with a reservation showed up for the show.  And I'm not talking about a handful of people.  We had 106 folks with reservations, and 108 attend, KILLER IN THE KITCHEN Saturday night at Samuel's Roadhouse.  When my daughter and I were laboring over the tables - trying to figure out exactly HOW to seat all those people in their private room, I told the owner it was doubtful they'd all show up… I mean, it's never happened. What were the chances?  Boy was I wrong!

It took us almost 2 hours to get those tables placed and adequate seating for everyone.  And fortunately, when two extra folks showed up, we were able to move one more table into the room and put it at the end of the row.  I won't lie - it was a bit cramped - but everyone seemed to have a good time.

Yes, it was a great night and a fun show.  The food is always wonderful at Samuel's, and the servers are a joy to work with.  Add great guests who were there for a good time, and I couldn't possibly ask for anything more.

Well, except maybe the margaritas their fabulous bartender Doyle made for the two of us when the guests were all seated and we could breathe again.  Delicious! He told me they make their own sour mix, which is one reason they're so good.  I highly recommend a visit to Samuel's to try their food AND their margaritas.  And then come see us again in October - but make your reservations early, because that SOLD OUT sign is going out a little earlier next time.  ~~ Paula