CHIT-CHAT: Comedic dinner theater offers murder mystery twist

Spend a night out in stitches and suspense at “Murder on the High Seas,” a family-friendly dinner theater show coming to Lemont next weekend. Kathy Myles, owner of Naperville-based Myles Above Productions and a cast member in the show, says the comedic murder-mystery, which has performances almost monthly at various west suburban sites, offers a night of fun and “organized chaos.”

Kathy Myles produces and stars in a recent Myles Above Productions dinner theatre performance. STAFF PHOTO BY BILL ACKERMAN

What exactly is a comedic murder mystery show?
It’s more of a comedy show with a murder tied in for fun; there’s no blood or gore. The show works around a theme, which changes every month so you’ll never see the same show. The audience is encouraged to join in the fun. Our improv actors try to involve the audience in the show, sometimes getting them to get up and do the YMCA or the conga. But for those who just want to be entertained, there’s plenty of that too. The audience will solve the crime with each table acting as a team, but the premise of it is truly more of a comedy show full of chaos.

How do you come up with the theme for a show?
My daughter and I write all the shows, and brainstorm really fun themes for each month. We sit down with the venue, and come up with something unique depending on the venue. We decorate to match the theme so that the minute people walk into the show, the ambiance changes.

How many people are part of the production?
The cast is almost always the same, with six people being a part of every show. There are several people involved with the company so we occasionally shake it up. We have an amazing ensemble because we hire only the best of the best including several Second City graduates. We really consider them the Myles Above family; we truly are a family and a team.

What age range does the show target for its audience?
We tailor to an 18-plus audience, however we are appropriate for all ages. My young daughter is part of the show. We don’t allow any swearing or improper innuendos; our goal is to provide wonderful entertainment for all. A lot of comedy places make fun of audience members for the risk of a laugh, but times are tough and you don’t know what people are going through. We want to make people forget their troubles and not be ridiculed.

What should the audience expect?
I would tell them to have their party hat on and be ready to have the time of their life! It’s organized chaos, with stuff constantly going on. I would tell people to leave their cares behind. We just want to provide a wonderful evening out.
 

SEE THE SHOW
WHAT Myles Above Productions stages “Murder on the High Seas”
WHERE Ruffled Feathers Golf Club, 1 Pete Dye Drive, Lemont
WHEN 7 p.m. Friday, August 14
HOW MUCH $50; reservations at (630) 728-3813; mylesaboveproductions.com