Utah Theater Bloggers Association

"Get a Clue: The $tocks Caper" is well worth investigating
By Dave Mortensen, Utah Theater Bloggers Association : 2010-02-22

OGDEN — I’ve always been a little cautious of dinner theatre and didn’t know quite what to expect. Granted, I knew I wasn’t going to be snacking on a lamb shank while A Midsummer Night’s Dream played on a stage in front. What’s more is this promised to be a murder-mystery-musical dinner theatre performance. Simply put, I was more than pleasantly surprised by my night with Hunt Mysteries and I’m pretty sure you will be too.

Hunt Mysteries partners with several restaurants and venues across the valley (and beyond) to provide a nice sit-down meal with their show. So, my guest and I were seated at a table with another party of two. None of us had been to a Hunt show so we were all a little unfamiliar with how the night would go.

Turns out that the written script only fulfills about a third of the night’s performance. At 7 o’clock the actors filtered into the banquet room and slowly began to visit each table to introduce themselves (as their character) and get to know us. Immediately we were thrust into the roles of stockholders for Atlas Inc.—the invented company hosting the night’s dinner. A murder was going to happen later in the evening so we knew that we needed to find out all we could about the characters before it actually happened.

Admittedly, I was a little nervous about being put on the spot to converse with these characters. The first character to shake my hand was Col…I mean Captain Dijon (Jeremy Johnson). He was quite affable and made us feel a little more keen to the idea of getting involved in the game. Next came Professor Prune (Chris Kucera) who played a marvelous drunkard who suddenly became sober real quick when the murderous explanations were…explained later in the night. He was a lot of fun though. We asked him plenty of questions on his backstory and sure enough he had it down.

After the brief meet and greet, dinner was served and we were lucky enough to have two of the actors seated at our table. That was a delight as Rose Red (Heidi Potter) and Miss Blanc (Mary Brassard) garnished our dinner with pleasant conversation on whether or not our host Mr. Lively (Chris “Madman” Madriaga) should love a scarlet floozy or a sweet and pure work colleague—they apparently didn’t think the ex-wife Mrs. Peahen (Tonia Sayer) offered too much competition. Throw Mr. Greene (Shea Potter) into the mix with his fruity non sequiturs and I wasn’t sure who to follow in order to anticipate the prime suspects.

After dinner, someone died. No need to expand on that. Everyone knew it was coming.

The audience was encouraged to leave their tables and question characters in order to figure out who the murderer was. Our table stayed put but thanks to some sample interrogation questions left at the table we had a good idea of what happened. Sadly, I didn’t trust the most likely answer and instead accused an innocent character that completely lacked any motive. Yeah, that didn’t play out too well. Just remember, you really can figure out the murder. Hunt Mysteries isn’t out to trick you with a surprise ending. And I like that! We can trust their story and if you pay attention you’re bound to be playing the role of Sherlock Holmes and being eligible for a prize at the end of the show.

This is not Shaw, Moliere, or Agatha Christie. It’s not meant to be. Hunt Mysteries promises and delivers an enjoyable night at the theater. That’s exactly what it was. I completely trusted the world these actors presented to me. It was delightful when they broke out into a slightly tweaked version of “Money, Money, Money” from Mamma Mia! or “Love You I Do” from Dreamgirls. The music was hopping and I couldn’t help but smile and just enjoy being there. It was a party and I was invited. That sounds a little odd, but it’s true. My heart tells me I don’t like cheesy theatre, and this was not cheesy theatre. It was fun theatre (and the food was good too! The next time I’m in Ogden I’m definitely checking out their full menu).

Get a Clue: The $tocks Caper plays Saturday, March 13th at 6:30 PM in Boccia’s Pizza Bistro located at 1045 North Washington Blvd. in Ogden. Tickets are $34.95 and can be purchased by calling 801-569-1482 or HuntMysteries.com.

"Get a Clue: The $tocks Caper" -- Opening Weekend

"Get a Clue" cast opened its run Feb. 11th at a Baptist Church in Layton with about 150 in attendance, and then followed with a Friday dinner show with 70 guests and a Saturday show with 150 guests -- both at The Castle in Layton.
Chris "Madman" Madriaga did a great job first playing Col. Dijon Friday night and then Simon Lively Saturday night.
Shea Potter, playing the suave Mr. Mauve Green, did a great job of creating a fun entertaining character to match the British character Col. Dijon, played by Jeremy Jonsson and Madriaga. Heidi Potter as Rose Redd captured the audience with her singing, dancing and fun choreography. What a hoot seeing Jeremy doing that crazy song-and-dance routine with Heidi -- not to mention his great British character. Tonia shines as Mrs. Peahen and matches the strength of Simon Lively, played by Scott Andrew and Madriaga. Krystal Day does a great French maid, Miss Blanc, and shined in the spotlight for her song solo. Then there's Chris Kucera doing a fantastic job on his song/dance -- with the rest of the cast as backup dancers.
Alisha Williams did a great job as director and choreographer, and music director Anjentte Mickelsen really whipped the cast into shape. I loved the harmony in all the songs, and the opening number and reprise really tied the show together and had the audience members all but singing along at the end.
Next up is Boccias on Saturday, Feb. 20th, and then two college shows.

"Get a Clue: The $tocks Caper"

Audition for new Hunt Mysteries show:
Date Thursday, Jan. 7, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 9, 1 p.m. (with callbacks at 2:30)
Location Auditions are at Embassy Suites, 600 South West Temple.
Director: Alisha Williams
Rehearsals Rehearsals will start the week of Jan. 11 with the first show the 2nd week of February. Rehearsals will be located in Salt Lake City, location TBD.
Public and private shows for conventions, employee parties, family parties throughout the Wasatch Front area.
Also, some shows may include out-of-state traveling, usually via airlines or Amtrak.
Note Show details: In the show, the audience members gather for the specially convened Atlas Inc. stockholders meeting. The founder and CEO Simon Lively isn't revealing the reasons behind the sudden session, but it may to address the recent advances at Atlas Robotics. But expect rumblings of discontent among the stockholders, former employees and family members as Simon says -- sit down! There are three male characters and three female characters.

PROFESSOR PRUNE: An inventor extraordinaire who’s best friend is now Mr. Jack Daniel.
SIMON LIVELY: Whatever Simon says, goes at Atlas Inc.
MISS BLANC: Simon’s French maid is scared white she might lose the man of her dreams – not to mention all the green.
MRS. PEAHEN: Simon’s ex-wife bares her claws at him but chirps sweet nothings to others.
COL. DIJON: The world traveler has spread himself thin financially but has always been able to get out of a jam.
MISS REDD: Her name says it all – she’s devilishly hot!

Come prepared with a comedic monologue, an upbeat song and your own music, a resume and a photograph. No accompanist will be provided.

Hundreds of new photos added to website

We have added hundreds of new pictures of our shows taken in 2009. Go to www.huntmysteries.com and click on pictures. Included are pictures: Altos at The Castle in Layton, Savage production at Ogden Eccles Center, Megaplex 20 at the District in South Jordan and Downtown Marriott. Cast members: Tony Porter, Joseph Thompson, Ryon Sharette, Shea Potter, Clayton Barney, Mary Brassard, Tonia Sayer, Corie Sorensen, Danielle Palmer and Katie Shultz. The Phantom Killer at La Caille, The Castle and The Riverwoods in Logan. Cast members: Tony Porter, Clayton Barney, Mary Brassard, Danielle Palmer, Sheri Gillies, Heidi Potter, Andrew Lenz, Tonia, Sayer, Jeremy Jonsson and Jeremy Hall. Dracula's Grand Masquerade Ball at Boccias D'Italia in Ogden. Cast members: Sheri Gillies, Corie Sorensen, Lara Johnson, Melanie Cannon Wayman, Casey Wayman and Jacob Thompson. Which Witch is the Head Witch? at The Megaplex 20 at the District in South Jordan, The Castle in Layton and The Riverwoods in Logan. Cast members: Tony Porter, Chris "Madman" Madriaga, Chris Kucera, Mary Brassard, Tonia Sayer and Emily Stevenson. Oscar Winning Confession at The Riverwoods in Logan. Cast members: Brian Durous, Shea Potter, Erica Richardson, Tonia Sayer, Kylie Bird, Allen Smith and Heidi Potter. Also, Moors actors and Can-Can girls for event at McCune Mansion. Cast: Gary Thompson, Nancy Candrian, Vic Groves, Phil Lindhardt, Emily Stevenson, Tonia Sayer, Natalie Fortie, Heidi Potter and Liz Boggess

Blast from the Past

I was thinking earlier today about our first "professional" show up at Snowbird back in April of 1991. Can any of you tell me the names of at least four of the original cast members that night?
Also, how many pages of script were there for that first performance?

Night for Ronald McDonad

Earlier this year, Jared, my son, and Hunt Mysteries donated a gift certificate good for a musical comedy murder mystery performance to the 2009 Ronald McDonald House Charity Fund-raiser.
Last night, Sept. 17th, Jared and cast members Tony Porter, Joseph Thompson, Clayton Barney, Mary Brassard, Danielle Palmer and Sheri Gillies performed "The Altos" in Park City for the guests of Mr. West, who bid the highest for the gift certificate. The actors and the guests had a fun evening together for a great cause.
It was Hunt Mysteries' third show donated to the Ronald McDonald charity.
Thanks Mr. West -- and thanks to the cast!

Hunt Mysteries: Dracula's Grand Masquerade Ball - ABC 4.com - Salt Lake City, Utah News

Hunt Mysteries: Dracula's Grand Masquerade Ball - ABC 4.com - Salt Lake City, Utah News

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