Ambrosia Murder Mysteries In "Buried to the Mob," an interactive whodunit murder mystery show, audience members are given the chance to win a prize by figuring out who the killer is while wining and dining.
By Laura Morgan
Daily Bruin Contributor
Though the game “Clue” may have been more popular in past years, people today are able to see the real thing instead of playing with plastic ropes and one inch candlesticks.
Bringing this type of whodunit guessing game to life is the job of Ambrosia Murder Mysteries, a group of actors who form an interactive murder mystery theater company that encourages audience participation to solve a murder, between courses of a delicious meal.
Their interactive show titled “Buried to the Mob,” takes place at Cafe Bellissimo, a restaurant located in Woodland Hills.
Each party attending the show is assigned to a table with four to six other people. Although the show encourages socializing, to discover the killer, in the end it is still every person for themselves because there is only one winner.
The show begins when Jasper (Oded Gross) and Gina (Alison Tatlock), owners of the Oasis Lounge, announce that tonight is going to be a night of love. The audience quickly learns that the night is dedicated to two star-crossed lovers, Ray (Brett Baker) and Gail (Jennifer London), who have eloped.
The two have come to the restaurant to tell their single parents they have married, in hopes that they may see the love the couple has for each other. The romance they share is quite cheesy and annoying, as the two ceaselessly vow their undying love for each other.
The audience then meets Gail’s mobster father, Tommy (Michael Luckerman), who enters the room with a bodyguard (Scott Crouse) who comes in with a gun and tells everyone in the audience to put their hands up.
Providing a contrast, and much needed comic relief, is Ray’s mother, Eleanor (Doug Budin). This female character played by a man, is of royal blood and carries pearls around her neck, along with supplying a haughty, English accent.
The first scene ends with tension when the audience learns Eleanor does not like Gail and believes her son is too good for just any girl. Jasper and Gina are quick to jump in to provide comic relief by saying everyone, even audience members, need salad, which is served by the cast members.
During this time, audience members are allowed to open the first clue on their table. The clues help audience members formulate questions to ask the cast while they’re serving food, which may aid them in figuring out who the real killer is. For better clues, anyone in the audience can give a cast member a few dollars tip.
After the salad, the play recommences and the audience learns that Ray’s mother, Eleanor, has lost all her money by obsessively betting on Shih Tzu dogs, and Gail’s father, Tommy, really has millions of dollars. When this information comes to light, Eleanor’s hostile attitude toward Tommy quickly changes, leaving some clues for the audience when it is time to solve the murder.
The audience also learns that Ray wants to own restaurant just like Jasper’s. Tommy attempts to buy the Oasis Lounge for Jasper as a marriage gift, but Jasper denies all offers, causing more suspicious tension between the two characters. Once again, the scene ends with a cliffhanger as dinner is announced.
The meal consists of chicken served over penne and marinara sauce, with sauteed mushrooms. The eating portion of the evening proves to be one of the best parts of the performance, and throughout the night. the cast is sure to keep drinks filled to the brim.
One may feel rather rushed, however, to not only eat in between scenes, but to ask for clues while socialize as well. Before you realize it, the next scene is beginning.
During the third scene, Jasper takes a spin at comedy in an attempt to ease the tension he has created with Tommy. His comedy is horrid, but the audience laughs because the jokes are so corny.
Finally, just about everyone in the cast leaves the Oasis Lounge, even Jasper. When they return later, however, Jasper is no where to be found. A gun shot is soon heard, and his wife goes out to see what has happened. She returns with the news that he has been murdered.
A detective/Rabbi/priest is then brought to the scene, who just happens to be played by the same actor who played Jasper.
Everyone becomes a suspect of the murder, all with potential motives, and the audience has one final chance to question the cast while dessert is served.
Dessert is a light tiramisu, which is very tasty and not too sweet. Unlike the earlier breaks, the actors give the audience ample time to finish their food.
After dessert is the forth scene, during which the detective questions the cast, and it’s left to the audience to decide who the killer is.
Each person in the audience is given a piece of paper asking them whom they believe the murderer is, along with how and why they did it. The winner is announced and given an Arthur Conan Doyle book, along with a picture with the cast.
Overall, the mystery is quite intriguing. The cast contains 23 actors, who rotate among the seven positions, and whose dialogue contains a lot of hidden and ironic humor that keeps the audience’s attention.
The props are also critical, and so are each person’s movements, which are attributed to director Daniel Passer. With careful use of all these techniques, adding to the interest and humor of the show, the audience is kept on its toes and continues laughing the entire night.
The dinner, however, is not to be underestimated. The Italian cuisine proves is just as good as the show. Providing a superb meal and great entertainment, the Ambrosia Murder Mysteries presentation of “Buried to the Mob” is a sure success of real-life “Clue.”
THEATER: Ambrosia Murder Mysteries presents “Buried to the Mob” every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Cafe Bellissimo, 22458 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. The $40 ticket includes the three-course meal and the interactive murder mystery show. Tax, drinks, appetizers, and gratuity, however, are not included. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling (310) 302-9300.