BY CECELIA ELLIS
For The Republic
A whodunit mystery dinner theater will leave no doubt about who will benefit.
“Murder on the Chattanooga Choo Choo” is a fundraiser for the Jennings County Public Library. The event begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 3 at the library, 2375 State Road 3 North, North Vernon.
“Since April, people have been asking us when we are going to have another mystery dinner. So, we thought it would be a good time after the Halloween and football seasons were over and people would be in the mood for an evening of adult time,” library director Mary Hougland said.
The evening includes a social hour with hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, dinner catered by the Pines Restaurant, a silent auction and a mystery play acted by well-known local residents.
This year’s cast of actors includes Jennifer Ertel, Don Littrell, Judge Jon Webster, Mike Estes, Annie Payne, Troy Jackson and Connie Rayburn.
Cast members do not know the outcome of the mystery. They are given their roles and the play’s basic plot, but they must improvise their roles as the play progresses and the audience watches.
“It gets really funny because the actors tend to come up with some wild things for their characters to act out,” Hougland said.
As the play advances, members of the audience are given the opportunity to guess which character is guilty of murder, and the first to solve the mystery wins $200.
The setting for the mystery takes place during the 1940s and the audience is encouraged to dress in attire of the ’40s, Hougland said.
“In the past people have worn a combination of things. Some dress up, some wear jeans and some come in period dress. It doesn’t matter. Just wear whatever you feel comfortable in. That’s what makes it fun,” she said.
Tickets are $40 per person. Reservations must be made in advance. For more information, call 812-346-2091.
