Mystery Train of Kansas City

I love to read mysteries. I love to play Clue with my children. I loved watching Murder, She Wrote! with my grandmother. And I enjoy live theatrical productions of mysteries (cozies are my style, not so much into graphic violence or gore), and for fans of the genre, like myself, the Mystery Train is a fun-filled experience for a unique night out.

This weekend, my husband and I enjoyed a Mystery Train performance of Vote (Twice) for Murder. We had a great time and would definitely recommend the performance for a fun night out with your spouse, friends, or even teens. If you're looking for a novel idea for your next Moms' Night Out, Date Night, or celebration with your teens... the Mystery Train may just be the ticket.

Just the Facts:

The Mystery Train

An interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

Vote (Twice) for Murder

Showing: Sept. 7 - Oct 27

Ticket Price: $54 - 64 includes dinner. Shows are appropriate for teens or adults. Shows are performed at Downtown KC Restaurants (you do not ride a train, but trains are used as the setting of the crime).

Contact: 816.813.9654 

TIP: For the Halloween Performance on Oct. 27, they offer extra Bribe Bucks to anyone who comes in costume!

About the Mystery Train:

The Mystery Train's performances are held in private dining rooms of local restaurants (we attended a show at The Golden Ox). The dining room becomes the “stage”… your imaginary dining car as you are a passenger aboard a train during the production. The mysteries are full of humor and clues, each story written as a piece of historical fiction with Kansas City as the backdrop.

As you're seated, you'll be asked your name and given a name tag. Feel free to choose an alias for the night, you can become anything or anyone you want. You are a passenger aboard the train, bound for Independence (as in the case of Vote (Twice) for Murder) and you will be asked where you are going and what you plan to do when you arrive (your answer may be as simple as visiting relatives or as detailed as you like). Adding to the interaction, random audience members are selected to participate in the mystery playing key roles in the story. If you aren't selected, don't worry... it's nothing personal, just business.

Before the night comes to a close, everyone turns in their answer to the crime and the solutions are sorted to see if a member of the audience has accurately solved the crime. The Grand Master Gumshoe, who correctly figures out the motive, method, and murderer for the evening is honored at the end of the show with a reward.

Review: Vote (Twice) for Murder

Over the years, we have attended several interactive mystery dinners. Like many things in life, no two are the same - and that includes quality. Some shows are much better than others - some I would recommend, others I would not (the variance in quality is great). The Mystery Train's production of Vote (Twice) for Murder is a win-win... fun-filled interactive show, and delicious dinner on behalf of The Golden Ox (check the schedule as restaurants do change throughout the production).

The show is set in Kansas City during the Roaring Twenties aboard a train bound for Independence on Election Day. Boss Tom Pendergast is powerful and persuasive in managing local elections and he will go to any means to win... which of course includes "voting early and voting often." The audience is provided with a program offering the background history of the era - prohibition, jazz, and political strife among two Democratic factions - the Rabbits (led by Joe Shannon) and the Goats (Pendergast's side). The story unfolds quickly and like any good mystery, you quickly learn of many train passengers with a motive, many with the means to carry out murder, and all with alibis. 

When you arrive and are greeted by the Matron of the Station, played by Danelle Drury, who explains the evening's schedule... it is her job to ensure "the train is on time." Each guest is provided money (a.k.a. Bribe Bucks) for the trip. The "Bribe Bucks" you are given may be used at your leisure throughout the show in an attempt to extract information from the suspects. You are warned, however, that no one will answer, "Did you kill the victim?" so word questions carefully. As train passengers, many of the suspects are also carrying luggage, purses, and personal belongings that may conceal weapons or suspicious information... you may use your cash to entice them to reveal the contents along the way.

What makes this particular production stand out is the level of detail in the history, script, and dialogue and the success with which each actor played their part. The Matron keeps the story moving and occasionally asks, "What were you thinking?" as a gentle cue to an actor, or audience member, to trigger their lines - even this is performed so naturally you might not notice it. The play is performed by three actors with lengthy and detailed dialogue (listen closely and you may take notes) and four members of the audience, who are provided with scripts and play their parts as well. During our showing, we were very impressed by the actors and almost equally impressed with the audience performers who happened to be exceptionally good that night. The inclusion of the audience goes a long way in adding to the fun of the show. Note: Audience performers are selected during the pre-show, if you would especially like to play a part you may let them know when you make reservations, but they cannot promise a role. No one is required to play a part.

The story unfolds in four acts, and the meal is served between each act, with appetizers, salad, a main dish, and dessert. During these interludes, audience interaction is encouraged and you're able to compare notes with other guests at your table to try to determine the solution to the mystery. They also provide the audience with one clue at the end of each act to help you unravel the puzzle. The best fun though, comes in interacting with the performers. The cast never breaks character and they willingly talk to you answering questions, withholding some information at times unless you are willing to cough up a bribe (with your aforementioned Bribe Bucks - tip, use these wisely and share clues with your friends). 

Aboard the train, you will meet Barney Jones (a heavy for Boss Tom) played by Ari Bavel, Johnny O'Reilly (we're not sure if that is his real name) played  by Michael McIntire - he is stuffing ballot boxes for "clams," Molly McClary played by Kelsea Victoria McLean, a woebegotten young lady whose boyfriend fell into trouble with Pendergast, and a member of the clergy, a dancer, a reporter, and a widow. This particular story is well written with several twists and turns in the plot and a lot of humor too.

The highlight though, of any Mystery Train production, is the finale. Each audience member is a sleuth and you will be asked to solve the crime. The awarding of the Grand Master Gumshoe is great fun for everyone. Of all the mystery theatres we have enjoyed over the years, the Mystery Train has become a favorite because of the great selection of restaurants (you can count on good food), creative plots with local settings, and most of all the creative ways the audience is included in the production throughout the evening making it a truly interactive experience!