Kayli Miller
In Motion Staff Writer
All are invited out for an evening dazzled with suspense, hilarity and tasty food at the performance of “Murder at Cafe Noir” in the News-Journal Center Oct. 23-25.
The 40s detective comedy follows the follies of Rick Archer P.I. on the island of Mustique as he attempts to discover who murdered the owner of Café Noir. Presented in a mystery dinner theater format, characters will be interacting with audience members throughout the show and everyone who attends will have an opportunity to put in a guess as to who they think committed the murder.
“We’ve tried to make it a complete entertainment experience. It’s going to be extremely fun and interactive. The script lends itself to a lot of improvisation. It makes it different every night. You can really adapt to the audience members in the moment,” says Professor Samantha Stern, Director of Theater at Daytona State College.
The murder mystery, written by David Landau with music and lyrics by Nikki Stern, is hosted by the Daytona State College Theater Program in partnership with the Association of Florida Colleges, DSC Chapter, and offers a delectable island inspired three-course meal. Admission is $40 per person, with proceeds going toward student scholarships.
Those who attended “The Little Shop of Horrors” production in the spring may remember DSC student Joelle Gossman, who played the lead role of the carnivorous plant Audrey II. In the “Murder at Café Noir” she is excited to be cast as Sheila Wonderly, a prostitute and one of the primary suspects.
Gossman says, “People should come because they get dinner and this is a hilarious show. When I read the script, I was reading by myself and laughing hysterically. My lines are really funny. It’s all kind of 1940s’ lingo. I find myself now saying things like ‘look at the gams on that dame.’”
The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and at 6 p.m.Sunday. It runs approximately two and a half hours. For information or to reserve tickets call the box office at 386-226-1927 or visit the website https://www.daytonastate.edu/thearts/drama_performances.html