MLT presents dinner theater whodunit March 21-23

Are your dinner plans next weekend still a mystery? Meridian Little Theatre has your dilemma solved with its presentation of “Murder on the Menu” by Bill Hand.

The 2023-2024 season wouldn’t be “A Season to Die For” without a thrilling murder mystery. Comedy mixes with a good mystery and a delicious three-course meal at the theater beginning at 6:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, March 21-23.

Tiffany McGehee, Rachel Thaggard, Sidney Covington, Hunter Dungan, Dalton Newell, Clint Brown and Bryce Ezell make up the cast of this playful whodunit. The seven players will attempt to solve a murder, but they will need the audience’s help to uncover all the clues while they enjoy a meal on the MLT stage.

The plot revolves around the demise of Artemus Ward, head of the lucrative family publishing business, who falls face-first into his mashed potatoes, revealing a knife in his back. Luckily, Dr. Bullfinger, an over-eager, newly elected county coroner who is dining at the restaurant, jumps in to lead the investigation, hoping to give herself a career boost in the process.

It’s hard to say who did it considering everyone has a motive: Reginald, heir to the business; Major, who wrote the company’s bestseller but hasn’t received his royalties; Alexis, a four-time widow of husbands who died at the dinner table; the destitute nephew, Bernie, from the mailroom; or Eileen Morrow, a backstabbing attorney.

Hunter Dungan, an English instructor at Lamar School, takes on a role in this production. His first foray at MLT was as Max in “Cabaret,” but he also directed the recent student production of “Catch Me If You Can” at Lamar.

“After ‘Cabaret,’ I found it hard not to be involved in community theater. This murder mystery is so fun and engaging,” Dungan said. “Audience members will find themselves interacting with the players and their tablemates as everyone attempts to solve the murder.”

Dungan said he enjoys performing on stage just as much as he does directing.

“I get a feel for all sides of acting when I am acting as a cast member, and while there is less stress, I enjoy both aspects — just in different ways,” he said.

An MLT veteran, Sidney Covington said the murder mystery is back by popular demand.

“This is our sixth or seventh year to present this dinner theater, but this is the first time we have had so many participants. And the only thing better than a corpse at the theater is a delicious three-course meal with a bar,” she said.

Teresa Cranmore with Something Southern Catering will prepare the meal for the murder mystery, which will consist of of charcuterie, salad, grilled chicken breast, ribeye roast, green beans, homemade mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, homemade banana pudding and a secret strawberry dessert.

For those who enjoy a good whodunit mystery, then don’t miss this thrilling and humorous dinner theater at Meridian Little Theatre. Tickets are $60 per person, $55 for active military. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the MLT box office at 601-482-6371.