Tea and homicide

CRESTVIEW, FL - It’s a common problem. You’re enjoying a nice, multi-course luncheon tea with a civilized group of friends at a local tea parlor when a celebrity Hollywood diva at the next table is suddenly murdered. Under normal circumstances, it can really put a damper on the tea party.

Fortunately, at the Baron’s Tea House in Crestview, the “murder” is just an act: An Act4Murder, in fact.

In August, the Baron’s did its first collaboration with the murder-mystery dinner theatre troupe, said Baron’s owner Erica Teets. The one-night performance of “Podunk Pandemonium,” an audience-participation hillbilly wedding, was a hit.

Next month, on Oct. 24, audience members will enjoy “Knock ‘Em Dead,” featuring the Hollywood starlet seeking a little publicity but getting more than she bargained for when she winds up a corpse.

The Shalimar-based Act4Murder was created in 2003 when its director and writer, Paula Hilton, arrived in the area from California where she had been an actress and script writer. Known for their performances at several south-county venues, Act4Murder recently started bringing shows to area restaurants including Guglielmo’s on Main Street and at Bogey’s in DeFuniak Springs. (See related article.)

“They do the drama and we provide the food,” Teets explained. “We serve a three-course meal, and the actors come out and mingle in character with the people.”

“Right now I have 16 shows that I’ve written and I’m working on the 17th,” Hilton said.

“She has a cast of five or six members per show,” Teets said. “They come and set up all the props. It’s really very funny.”

The troupe performs scenes between courses so guests are able to enjoy the Baron’s Tea House’s excellent homemade cuisine uninterrupted, and, of course, to enjoy conversation over their tea.

“At the end, the audience gets to vote on who they think is the murderer,” said Teets, with door prizes going to those who answer correctly.

“We’re planning to do these once every two or three months, Teets said.

Teets said the Baron’s is also planning to put together events such as an etiquette presentation in conjunction with experts on the social graces.

To book seats for “Knock Em Dead,” call The Baron’s Tea House at 850-398-8783. Seating is at 11:30 a.m. and the performance begins at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. The cost is $38.50 per person, including the three-course meal and the show.

“We’re limited to 24 people so reservations are a must,” Teets said.