The murder was announced as the salad arrived, a detective was fingering culprits as steaks were hitting tables, and the case was solved shortly after dessert.
The scene was the Woodman Lodge Steakhouse and Saloon in Snoqualmie, where the Events on the Edge troupe hosts its new Murder Mystery Dinners.
“It’s interactive and highly improvisational,” said Kris Flink, a.k.a Miss Teerious, the evening’s emcee, who introduced the mystery to diners and helped them survive the game. Six guests were chosen as “suspects,” and engaged in sometimes dramatic, sometimes comedic banter with actors Richard Daley, Dorothy Pierce and Kori Just.
“The good thing about this is you don’t have a script,” said Just, who played Eddie Norman, a bumpkin who had won millions playing the lottery with help from psychic friend Moonshadow, played by Pierce. “It’s messing with people for a couple of hours. The best part is having them entertain us, and see what they come up.”
Questioned by Det. Stone, played by Daley, some suspects stayed cool or pled the fifth. Others blushed and giggled.
Cassandra Coleman, event coordinator at Woodman Lodge, said the dinners are a good way to check out what the steakhouse and saloon has to offer.
“It’s hard for people to go to Seattle for these kinds of things,” she said. “We’re right in the community. We can provide some things that they may not get on a regular basis.”
Mysteries change periodically, and no one performance is the same, as the “suspects” and their stories constantly change.
Events on the Edge runs the mystery dinners on the Argosy cruise in Seattle, and performed for years on the now-closed Spirit of Washington Dinner Train.
Some mysteries explore different time themes and time periods, such as the 1920s, westerns and rock-and-roll.
Mystery dinners are planned every other Wednesday evening at the steakhouse, through January. The cost is $75 for admission, and includes a three-hourse meal and non-alcholic beverages.
Flink said the show is appropriate for all ages. She loves stage-managing the manic action.
“I have an absolute blast with it,” she said.
“It’s a job, but on the other hand, it’s having fun,” Just said.
• The Woodman Lodge Steakhouse and Saloon is located at 38601 S.E. King St., Snoqualmie. Call the lodge at (425) 888-4441.
