December, 2019. THE MYSTERY CAFÉ
Brian Kelly, owner of The Mystery Café presents “I’ll be Homicidal for Christmas. The Cast: Dave Gangler, Michael Lee, Wini Froelich, Dan Rooney, Ann Lees and Paul Somers (a Waseca native). The Venue: The Owatonna Country Club - 1991 Lemond Road, Owatonna, MN.

”We are celebrating our 30th anniversary year, and we are very excited to bring our show to Owatonna for the very first time,” Kelly commented. “I’ll be Homicidal for Christmas” is one of the funniest shows in Kelly’s repertoire. It takes place on the set of a 70’s holiday variety show, where guests are members of the studio audience (and, depending on their talents…may even be featured extras). It’s an interactive comedy, a variety show, a mystery and a Christmas show, all-in-one. It’s also something that the whole family can enjoy. There’s some sophistication in the jokes, but there’s also a lot of slapstick and cartoonish characters. The show is in four acts, and dinner is served between acts. The actors serve the food, and mystery money is provided, so they can be bribed for more information. The service breaks allow guests to interact with the characters - and the others at their table, which makes it a very social evening as well.

The plot: It’s December 23, 1978. Albee Humphrey used to be a household name, but his star is fading fast. He has to deliver a smash hit Christmas special or he will never work in Hollywood again. He’s got special guests including a diva, a ventriloquist act, a knife throwing routine, musical numbers, and there’s even a rumor of a reunion with his one-time comedy partner, who he hasn’t spoken to in 20 years. He’ll make his way back to the top…or die trying.

Words from the cast:
Dan Rooney: “I’ve always appreciated that many roles have been written for me to highlight my strengths as a comedic actor. This is rare in theatre, and I’m very thankful for such a generous gift.”

Ann Lees: “What I really love about The Mystery Café is that we get to perform with the people, not just for the people. They are a part of our show.”

Michael Lee: “I have found that The Mystery Café trusts and supports its actors to play within the form, to find sincere interactions and a sense of freshness between actor and audience.”

Wini Froelich: “The first thing I found at The Mystery Café was that it is full of stock characters; that which an audience can recognize right away. To allow the interplay between the audience member and character to be real and easy with honesty, is a challenge.”

Dave Gangler: My favorite part of doing Mystery Café shows is how closely we perform to the audience and interact with them. The culture at The Mystery Café is one of positive friendliness and supportive teamwork amongst supremely talented people.