MurderS She Wrote performs “Murder on Budget Cruise Lines” Saturday, July 21, at the Palm Harbor Community Activity Center. The troupe performs shows throughout Florida for corporate events, fundraisers, conventions, team building and private parties. Among the actors at MurderS She Wrote are, sitting, from left, Richard Buckley, J.T. Crowder, Maria Buckley. Standing, from left, are Tisha Goble, Danny Ray and Pepper McGowan.
PALM HARBOR – The mystery dinner theatrical troupe, MurderS She Wrote, performs live on stage at the Palm Harbor Community Activity Center on Saturday, July 21.
The fundraising event, which is presented by the Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, features happy hour, a buffet dinner, interactive show and Tacky Tourist Costume Contest. Up to 220 people are expected to attend the Saturday evening event.
The play, “Murder on Budget Cruise Lines,” introduces a cast of characters: Greely, the English purser, who welcomes new guests onboard; Bianca, the captain’s new wife, who makes her very first voyage ever; and Fifi LePew, a famous French performer, who gives private dance lessons.
SunTrust Bank Vice President Connie Stewart serves as the Chamber of Commerce chairperson for the event. Stewart said Chamber of Commerce members and local area restaurants are donating food for the buffet.
Participating restaurants include Beef‘O’Brady’s, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Chick-fil-A, Lee Roy Selmon’s, Poistano’s, Sakura Sushi, Sweetbay Supermarket and Tiffany’s. Salad and dinner rolls will be served at the start of the first act followed by the buffet.
“You can’t go out and have a dinner and show for $35. The food will be advertised and showcased,” Stewart said. “One fun thing about this year is that we have VIP servers.”
Notable Palm Harbor dinner attendants include Fire Chief James Angle and Fire Commissioner Julie Peluso.
Other notable Pinellas County servers include County Commissioner Susan Latvala and Pinellas School Board member Peggy O’Shea. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and Chamber of Commerce CEO Connie Davis will also dish up meals at the show.
A night of comedy and suspense “aboard the cruise” encourages participation from audience members. The crowd can play bingo, sing table karaoke, participate in contests, and join in a challenge to solve the murder. The discovery of a stowaway adds an unexpected element of surprise to the festivities.
“They’re going to pull the audience in to participate in some of the scenes,” Stewart said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
The dinner show will be held at the newly renovated Palm Harbor Community Activity Center, located at 1500 16th St. The community center is undergoing renovations and will be renamed to The Centre in August.
“It’s a great hall. They’ve done a lot of updates,” Stewart said. “It looks very nice over there.”
The community center will be decorated in a nautical theme for the occasion: life preservers, fish netting and port holes hung on the wall.
Those attending wearing cruise clothes become eligible to participate in the Tacky Tourist Costume Contest. Items that should be worn include white shirts, shorts, floppy hats, sunglasses, flip flops and sandals.
“It’s going to be very laid back and relaxed,” Stewart said. “I think people have a lot more fun when they’re casually dressed.”
Multiple winners will be selected for the best-dressed “tacky tourist.” Prizes include company sponsored gift baskets, beach towels and lotion, gift cards and gift certificates.
“It’s going to be a blast,” Stewart said.
The show’s major sponsors are AAA Travel, Advance Payroll Consultants, Bringing Home Community News, Law Offices of Walter Brenner, SunTrust Bank, Tampa Bay Times and Ted Friedinger, CPA.
Tampa Bay radio station WTAN-AM 1340, Dining Out Radio will broadcast and advertise the event on air prior to show time.
Ticket prices for the dinner and show are $35. Happy hour includes a cash bar. A table for eight can be reserved with advance payment. Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner and show start at 6:30 p.m.
Proceeds from the event help to support, educate and advocate leadership for Palm Harbor business and community members.
Call Connie Stewart at 771-4903 or Connie Davis at 784-4287 to purchase tickets or for more information.
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