Local theater group offers dinner and a show through March 7
The San Benito Stage Company production of
”
Ax of Murder
”
opens today at the Granada Theatre with a little twist on dinner
theater.
Producer Sean Mceachin explained that dinner will be at Maverick
BBQ preceding evening shows and following matinees. There were a
few reasons for the change to format.
Local theater group offers dinner and a show through March 7
The San Benito Stage Company production of “Ax of Murder” opens today at the Granada Theatre with a little twist on dinner theater.
Producer Sean Mceachin explained that dinner will be at Maverick BBQ preceding evening shows and following matinees. There were a few reasons for the change to format.
“People absolutely love the fact that we are offering dinner and a show,” Mceachin said. “If they can’t afford both, they can just book the tickets for the show.”
Splitting the meal up at a local restaurant also saved the Stage Company some money since they didn’t have to rent out a place that is large enough to host the show and serve the meal.
Plus, the old downtown theater is perfect for the setting of the play, “Ax of Murder.”
“The setting of the play is a rundown, old theater and we thought it would be better to host it here,” Mceachin said. “We have a lease on this place, with the economy the way it is.”
The show has a little bit of a “Clue” feel to it, according to Mceachin, who was careful not to give away too many plot points when describing the play.
“It is set on the stage of a small theater, with set pieces leftover from previous shows,” he said. “Everyone has heard of a haunted theater or haunted houses, but in this story things happen when they read the script for potential shows.”
Mceachin said they are hoping for some audience participation during the show, and the actors will be pointing to people as they walk around the seats and ask them questions.
The show involves at least 35 actors and production members, with 21 actors to grace the stage. Shannon Thiessen is director of the piece, which features actors who have been in several San Benito Stage Company shows and others who are new to theater entirely.
“The love of the theater” is what keeps many people coming back, Mceachin said. “They pay to participate so they’ve got to love it,” he said.
‘Ax of Murder’
San Benito Stage Company proudly presents Ax of Murder opening on Feb. 19, with additional shows on Feb. 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, March 5, 6, 7 at the Granada Theatre. There will be a dinner at Maverick before the show from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For the dinner and show tickets are $40 and $15 for just the show. Theater doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the performance starts at 8 p.m. Matinee show begins at 2 p.m. and dinner will follow performance after 4:30 p.m. For more information call 801-9841, tickets can be purchased at Postal Graphic or Mars Hill Coffeehouse.
