Mystery on the Mississippi - Solve a Crime Aboard the Jonathan Padelford!
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 3:49AMArticle by Becky Fillinger
No, it’s not a Dateline episode. It’s interactive, educational, fun mystery theater – performed on the Mississippi River. We talked to Anna Waugh, Interim Executive Director for the Mississippi Park Connection, and Tim Wick, co-writer of the show, to learn more about the plot and how to sign up for the cruise.
Q: Congratulations on bringing back the murder mystery on the Mississippi River.
Anna: Thank you. Mystery on the Mississippi has become a staple of the summer season. Featuring the incredible Fearless Comedy, we are excited to share another interactive murder mystery adventure with all of your readers this year. This year's setting is the 1980s, and participants are encouraged to dust off their best of the '80s and wear something radical! Part cruise aboard the accessible Jonathan Padelford, part play, part whodunnit - there is nothing quite like this event.
There are only three dates left for the show this year, so check out parkconnection.org/events to register early before tickets are gone!
Anna Waugh
Q: Could you give us a brief synopsis of the mystery we'll be solving?
Tim WickTim: The show is set in 1988 at the celebration of the establishment of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. A group of people responsible for the creation of the park have gathered to celebrate their work. Unfortunately, there is a party crasher who isn't all that popular and someone dislikes him just a little bit more than the others. The Acting Park Superintendent Chip Mather and Law Enforcement Ranger Casper Hogart need to figure out who committed the crime before the boat returns to the dock and they need all the help they can get!
Q: What ages are welcome on the cruise?
Tim: The script is appropriate for all ages.
Q: For first timers, how do we interact with the performers? Any other tips for us?
Tim: If the performers are not involved in a scene, it is completely appropriate to talk with them and ask questions about whatever you like. It doesn't even need to be about the crime.
The best advice I can give people is if we clearly establish an alibi for a character, they didn't commit the crime. A lot of people give us credit for being cleverer than we actually are.
And while our actors do a lot of research into their character, they don't know everything. A real lawyer is likely to know more about the law than someone playing a lawyer. That's not a clue.
There are a lot of scenes and no one can see them all because some will happen at the same time. It's best to work with other people to share information.
Finally, don't forget to enjoy the river! There is enough time to pay attention to the show and experience the park that brought us all together.
Performance dates and times:
Thursday, July 27
6:30-6:50PM: Guests arrive for check in at Harriet Island
7:00 PM: Boat Launch
Thursday, August 17
6:30-6:50PM: Guests arrive for check in at Harriet Island
7:00PM: Boat Launch
Thursday, September 21
6:30-6:50PM: Guests arrive for check in at Harriet Island
7:00PM: Boat Launch
Order tickets here.
