>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

WALLOWA LAKE — The 10th annual audience participatory murder mystery dinner theater will take place Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30 and 31.

"Six and 1/2 Feet Under" will involve murder, mystery and mayhem.

Tickets are $25. Reservations must be made in advance by calling the Wallowa Lake Lodge at 541-432-9821. The lodge is also offering overnight lodging/dinner theater packages and a meal featuring stuffed chicken breast.

Guests are invited to dress in their favorite 1920s finery and participate along with the cast in a costume contest.

As in the past, guests will be given a name and identity if they wish to play along for the evening. They will also receive a dossier with clues to the

mystery.

Set in a 1920s Chicago speakeasy, Miss Sophie (Briana MacEwan), the proprietress, is holding a party in honor of Purdue University's Dr. Stuart Littleman, who recently received the Nobel Prize and a $1 million award for his scientific study of cryogenics.

Unfortunately, he has accidently frozen himself.

Assisting Miss Sophie is Michael McCabe, the waiter (Andrew McFarland), and the speakeasy girl Fran (Olivia Williams).

Joining in the festivities are Billy Budd and his twin sister Beverly (Ritchie Meyer); gate crasher Janette James (Debbie Lewis); Tilly Thomas Tombstone (Erin Baynes), whose grandfather invented English muffins; Chicago society members Sir Day and Deb U. Taunt (Zeke Hale and Jennilyn Nelson); Mr. Taunt's secretary, Mavis March (Bonnie Trujillo); the student Demetrius (Riley Makin) and his actress girlfriend Lena Lovely (Jennifer Jennings).

The task of solving the murders goes to G-man Elliot Chess (Julian Moro) and his wife Margaret (Robin Eschler), who arrive at the party following a tip.

Dylan Lewis serves as the host for the evening and will assist the guests as they attempt to solve the crimes.

The show is directed by Pam Latta with costumes by Richelle Chitwood.