What: “Marriage Can Be Murder” dinner theater

Why: Benefit for United Way of the Tri-Valley Area

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 17

Where: North Dining Hall, University of Maine at Farmington
Audience can help solve mystery at benefit show
FARMINGTON – The professional theater troupe Mystery for Hire will stage “Marriage Can Be Murder” Saturday, April 17, to help raise money for the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area.

The show, a murder-mystery dinner theater production, takes place amid the craziness of an Italian wedding.

“This show is a real favorite,” said Denise Marois. She and her husband, Dan, operate Mystery for Hire. “And we’re pleased to offer the show in Farmington.”

As the promo for the show reads, “If you think there were mishaps at your own wedding, wait until you come to the marriage of Sam Zardo and Rachael Levine. The caterer is running late. Momma Zardo is missing her left shoe, and people are finding it curious that the bride has no living relatives attending the wedding. (Or dead ones either.)

“The groom is on edge. Poppa Zardo is a basket case and his son, Roger, suffers from multiple personality disorder.

“If that’s not enough, there are a few secrets from the past that will come to haunt tills wonderful occasion.”

Nancy Morgan, the United Way executive director, said lots of things will happen.

“Audience members enjoy all the fun, frolic and craziness that takes place at a wedding,” said Morgan. “But watch out … you might end up doing the dollar dance – or you might have to fill in for the priest who’s missing.

“No matter what happens, you’ll soon realize that marriage can be a mystery.”

Audience members will be encouraged to take notes as they watch the mystery unfold. When a crime takes place, they become amateur detectives who try to figure out whodunit.

At the end of the evening, the person who most correctly guesses who did the crime is the “super sleuth” of the evening,

“There are some crazy things that everyone can enjoy,” said Marois.

Tickets are $25 per person or $140 for a table for six, which includes the complete mystery show and an elegant dinner. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Maine at Farmington’s North Dining Hall with the show starting at 7.

For reservations or more information, people can call (207) 778-5048.