We are joined by guest Mark Seven. He is the Owner, Producer, and Director of Get Away With Murder, a traveling improv mystery comedy dinner theatre.
The episode begins by acknowledging the struggle that theaters and entertainment venues face in terms of declining attendance and difficulty in marketing to their regular customers. One potential reason for this decline, suggested by Mark, is that older customers may be hesitant to gather in public settings due to safety concerns.
To address this issue, Mark emphasizes the need for business owners to reconsider their strategies and find innovative ways to attract new people while creating a comfortable environment for traditional patrons.
Dinner Theatre like live-action Clue
Mark goes into more detail about this dinner theatre program. His show is like a live-action Clue game, where the audience can participate as suspects. In public shows, audience members play specific roles and are provided with props to wear. In private parties, roles are pre-assigned by the host. The interactive nature of the show keeps the audience’s engagement high. They remain unaware of who the killer is until the arrest is made at the end.
The theater group adapted during the pandemic, including recreating vintage radio mystery programs and releasing them on platforms like YouTube for people to enjoy. The addition of costumes to help identify suspects at large parties became another valuable aspect of their company.
We talk about the graying of theater and the importance of attracting audiences. Mark stresses the need for a “wow” moment that leaves a lasting impression on the audience. The goal is for the audience to talk about the show long after they leave the venue. And to share their experiences with friends and family.
What’s on the schedule?
The hosts mention two plays they are working on: “The Elf Who Knew Too Much” and “The Great Reindeer Hoax.” The former is a spoof on a Jimmy Stewart movie, involving an elf with a Viagra connection at the North Pole. It includes well-known characters like Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, reindeer, and even Rudolph, portrayed as a recovering alcoholic. The latter play is a spoof on the song “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” It will incorporate clues from the song and focus on a chocolate factory run by Grandma.
Mark also shares interesting anecdotes about how guests and actors contribute to the development of stories and characters. For example, a guest’s curiosity about an unmentioned character led to the creation of a new story, and an actress finding inspiration on a restaurant menu led to a character name in a mystery.
For Mark, it’s all about the importance of creating memorable experiences for audiences.
Detective Mark’s Social Media Contact Info:
http://www.GetAwayWithMurder.com
Toll Free: (888) MRE-PRTZ (673-7789)
P. O. Box 2; Tallmadge, OH 44278
Contact Detective Mark and also find their event calendar
Event listing Attend LIVE! Or go to Eventbrite Filter for Ohio; then search “get away with murder dinner parties”
Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson
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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.
