WEST SPRINGFIELD — An evening of romance, intrigue and a little theatrical mayhem is on the menu when the Rotary Club of West Springfield hosts its Valentine’s Murder Mystery Dinner Fundraiser on Sunday, Feb. 1, from 5-8 p.m. at Tansey’s Catered Table in Agawam.
The interactive dinner theater event, which made its debut last year, returns by popular demand after selling out and delighting attendees with its mix of comedy, suspense and audience participation. According to event co-chair Sarah Calabrese-Dunphy, the success of last year’s fundraiser made the decision to bring it back an easy one.
“Last year’s Murder Mystery Dinner was a brand-new addition to our rotary club’s event roster, and it made such a splash that we definitely had to repeat it,” she said. “Participants will get to experience delicious food, an incredible performance, and get to become part of the story. You won’t want to miss this one.”
Guests can expect more than just dinner and a show. The performance, presented by the Majestic Theatre, invites audience members to become amateur detectives for the evening. Event co-chair Victoria Larriva encouraged attendees to arrive on time to make the most of the experience.
“Guests should plan to arrive promptly at 5 if they want time to mingle and grab a drink from the bar, because once the performance starts at 5:30 you’ll want to be seated at your table ready to watch and listen closely,” Larriva said. “There will be opportunities throughout the show to fill out provided clue sheets and provide your best guess as to who the killer might be. You might even win a prize for being the best detective or for being the worst.”
Set in 1952, the mystery unfolds during a live Valentine’s Day broadcast of the fictional Buck Brick Show at KDED radio. As tensions rise and secrets surface, a shocking discovery turns the evening into a race to solve the crime while the show, of course, must go on.
Part of what resonated so strongly with last year’s audience was the chance to step outside everyday life. “A murder mystery dinner provides an opportunity, not only to watch an incredible performance, but to participate in it,” Calabrese-Dunphy said. “Above all, it’s an opportunity to have fun, to dress up, put on a character for the evening and feel transported outside of day-to-day life.”
Beyond the entertainment, the evening supports an important cause. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of West Springfield’s Scholarship and Community Grants Programs. Club president Simon Brighenti emphasized the local impact of the fundraiser, noting the club’s more than 70 years of service to the community and its commitment to Rotary’s guiding principle of “service above self.”
The Valentine’s theme adds an extra twist to the night. “Since the event is in February, the Valentine’s theme was an obvious choice,” Larriva said. “Not only does the theme help the event stand out, it provides an extra layer of romance to the blood-splattered melodrama.”
With tickets expected to go quickly again this year, organizers encourage would-be detectives to secure their spot soon. As Larriva put it, “Each Majestic Murder Mystery Dinner performance is unique. If you miss this show, you’ll never have the opportunity to catch it again!”
