Mystery Dinner Theater providing families with interactive entertainment

A good mystery seems to provoke intrigue within us. It stretches our imaginations as we seek to turn private eye and put the clues together to crack the case. Sherlock Holmes, Dick Tracy and countless crime dramas attest to our fascination with the mysterious. Participants at the annual Mystery Dinner Theater at the Tarawa Terrace Community Center on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, May 18, got the opportunity to live out their detective dreams.

“This is our ninth year putting on the show,” said Amy Guareno, TTCC programmer. “We typically have it around Valentine’s Day to give couples here on base an affordable dating option. The date had to be pushed back this year, but our goal of giving everyone a great time remains the same.”

The show gets audience members involved as the cast interacts in the scenes with them. The show always has a murder mystery theme, allowing for audiences to be more engaged as they try to guess who committed the crime.

“We do a different play each year,” said Guareno. “Whether you are new or a returning guest, it will be fresh for you.”

Guests were encouraged to dress in costume to go with the theme of the play and contests were held for best costumes.

From the dinner, atmosphere and play theme, the aspiration of optimal guest involvement and fun for all those involved remains for the TTCC staff each year. The fun is not limited to the guests, however.

“I just enjoy performing in front of our guests each year,” said Andrew Wolf, cast member.

The cast was comprised of members of MCB Camp Lejeune and surrounding communities, who find it enjoyable to be able to combine their passion for theater with an appreciation for the community. Some of whom possess a background in theater.

“This is one of the few opportunities I have had outside of high school to be able to perform on stage here on Camp Lejeune,” said Sarah Vincent, cast member. “The guests who attend make it really funny and are very engaging with us, which makes it such a great time.”

The cast-guest interaction is one of the aspects that makes the show unique from other plays, where the audience members are spectators and not active participants. This aspect is what keeps guests entertained.

“It is very entertaining,” said Brittany Dunlap, an audience member. “The atmosphere is great and relaxing and you get to connect with other people here in the community while enjoying the show together.”

For more information about TTCC, visit www.mccslejeune-newriver.com/community.