Guests felt certain they knew who put the who in whodunit on Friday.
Most in attendance felt certain they knew who was guilty of the crime of passion during the Murder Mystery Mail-Order Bride Mayhem program at the Baker House in Wildwood.
The show, which made its yearly return to the city’s historic home, transports guests to Florida’s past during the “orange fever” of the late 1800s. Mayhem ensues after one man places a mail order requesting a bride and someone ends up dead following one too many brides answering the call.
After one week with four performances, the 10 volunteer actors who helped the theatrical show come to life said they have been having a great time interacting with guests.
Kevy Kennedy-Smith, who has been volunteering at The Baker House for a year and a half, played newspaper reporter Mrs. Jones.
“It validates us as an actor if we are able to throw off the viewer’s suspicion. They are supposed to think it is us and be suspicious of everyone,” Smith said.
Guests were indeed suspicious of everyone, using the time before dinner was served to study the character sheet and infer who suspects could be.
The recurring murder mystery shows are held in the living and dining space of the former home of David Baker, a Florida Senator who moved to the area from Kentucky and built the home in 1890. The space is able to seat 36 people.
“Shows have been going well. This week seats have been all sold out,” said Jillian Boyar, recreation specialist for the City of Wildwood.
Tanya Mikeals has been volunteering as an actor with The Baker house since 2014. During the show she played Matchmaking Molly, the owner of the mail order bride business.
“It’s always fun. Everyone gets in the spirit of the show,” Mikeals said, referring to the excitement of the volunteers and the guests who dress up.
Along with chiming in their guesses about the guilty party, guests were also encouraged to dress up in their best country attire for the dinner and a show program.
“(During Monday’s show) we had people dressing up in their cowboy hats and cowboy boots,” Boyar said. “I saw one person do a mix between a college football shirt and a cowboy shirt. I had never seen anything like that.”
She added she was particularly impressed by a costume she saw from her own friend.
“My friend dressed up in a fringe leather brown cowgirl vest, with black cowgirl boots that had stars on them and a proper cowboy hat. I was pretty impressed with her outfit,” Boyar said.
Mystery kooks came consistently in creative cowboy themed costumes, with the Oct. 4 show bringing out many country outfits.
Karen Salman and Carol Kummer, both residents of Bushnell, attended the murder mystery in pink
“We like to try new things,” said Kummer, who explained they learned about the event after one of the Baker House volunteers told her about it.
Donna Turi, a friend of Salman and Kummer and Bushnell resident, added, “and we like dinner shows.”
The murder mystery dinner and show at The Baker House didn’t not disappoint this year. From the dinner to the performance by the volunteers, guests were pleased by the end of the night.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
