GreenMan Returns to Crime Scene

ELMHURST, IL — GreenMan Theatre returns to the scene of the crime for its 16th annual Murder Mystery Fundraising Event “Speakeasy or Die Hard 2." The original “Speakeasy” premiered as GreenMan’s dinner show 10 years ago.

In a news release, Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff, writer and director of the show, said she was quite excited about the opportunity to revisit this story. She said she loved working with her cast and has revised the show in several ways with the new actors. She said “Speakeasy” offers the audience “romance, adventure, and action” along with songs and dance.

There are five performances of “Speakeasy or Die Hard 2." The production opens Friday, Feb. 21, and runs through Sunday, March 1. Friday and Saturday performances start at 7 pm, Sunday at 6 pm. Note that there is no performance on Sunday, Feb. 23.

All performances take place in the upstairs banquet hall at Angelo's Ristorante at 247 N. York St. in Elmhurst. Doors open an hour before the show begins with an opportunity to mingle with the actors, in character, during a social hour, and also for audience members to get valuable clues to help solve the mystery. Tickets are $55 and include buffet-style Italian food. A cash bar is available.

All tickets must be bought in advance and are available online at www.greenmantheatre.org. Call GreenMan for more information at 630-464-2646. Tickets are not available at the door. Performances often sell out and some performances are already filling up, the news release said.

Here's how the news release describes the play: "The show is set in Chicago during the Roaring 1920s at the height of Prohibition. Think gangsters, bootleg alcohol, and a speakeasy disguised as a tea-room in the basement of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Add to that a pair of Russian spies, stolen jewels, and murder most foul! What could be better for an evening of entertainment? After the detective arrives, the audience will have an opportunity to win a prize by guessing the killer or killers."

Prizes may also be awarded to audience members who dress up in the style of the show, 1920s glitz and glamour. All will be revealed at Angelo’s Ristorante this February and March with hilarious results.

GreenMan Theatre’s murder mystery fundraiser helps benefit GreenMan programs throughout the year. Shazad Mehta, who plays one of the gangsters, said in the news release that the dinner theater format is a unique way to experience a show, and there will be “nothing but smiles afterwards.”