by Elizabethe Williams Lozano

To Hang, or Not to Hang…That is the Question! Join the Kings Players of the Temple Theatre and the StoryBook Garden and Museum for their fourth annual Murder Mystery fundraiser, a testament to our community’s creativity and support. This event, born four years ago from the collaborative minds of Judy Waite, Kim Spicer, and Louella Moreland, was designed to bring an entertaining evening to our community and support two organizations close to our hearts.

As the director of this year’s Murder Mystery, I am thrilled to participate in this community-driven event. Last year, as part of the cast, and this year, as director. Past Murder Mysteries have been written and directed by Louella Moreland, a dedicated supporter of our cause who relocated to Texas last May. In her absence, Moreland agreed to write this year’s mystery, and I agreed to continue this legacy along with Kim Spicer, Judy Waite, and the director of the Children’s Storybook Garden and Museum, Kaitlin Jost Sheets. Working with these ladies has been a joy, and their dedication to our two wonderful non-profit organizations is unwavering. Your support at this event is crucial to our continued success.

Murder Mystery dinners are a unique experience where the Kings Players provide the story and clues, and you, our esteemed guests, get to play detective. As you enjoy a catered meal prepared by Carmen Bettencourt, who will be working with the West Hills College Culinary Arts students, and a signature cocktail, you can question the suspects, view the crime scene, and vote on who you believe committed the murder. This interactive element makes the Murder Mystery popular among adults of all ages, providing an evening of laughter, mingling, and live theater while supporting two fantastic organizations.

Step into the intriguing world of the lovely community of Stonybrook, a town brimming with success, money, gossip, mystery, and murder. Our story unfolds in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Basswood, played by the talented Zeke Andre and the lovely Rebecca Jenson. The couple is hosting the unveiling of artist Cosmos Hemlock’s new painting, played by Steven Walker. All the party guests are regulars at social gatherings in Stonybrook, and there is never a dull moment when these social elites gather.

Get to know the rest of the Stonybrook community, portrayed by a magnificent cast of talented King’s Players actors, on April 20 at the Children’s Storybook Garden. Doors open at 6:15 for cocktails, and a silent auction with entertainment begins at 7:15. Tickets are going fast; call the Storybook Garden & Museum at (559) 500-9966 to purchase tickets.

If you love local theatre and mystery, be sure to check out Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, which features mysteries read by local actors. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and also on podbean.

Check out more theatre reviews & other local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. You can also find more theatre coming up on KRL’s Local Theatre event page.