January 21, 2009

Student Center to host murder mystery dinner

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- If you’ve ever dreamed of living in a Mayberry RFD world or perhaps fancied yourself a great amateur detective, you won’t want to miss the colossal “whodunit” coming to the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Student Center on Feb. 13.

Mayberryfest is the 10th annual murder mystery dinner, offering participants the chance to play roles large or small in a fun-filled theatrical evening. It’s the tale of Sheriff Andy Trailer, serving as judge for the Miss Mayberry contest amid an array of threats from fans of the assorted contestants. He’s to judge the finalists on beauty, poise, cooking skills and, of course, hog callin’. Will Dazey Doof, Elly Mae Klumpett, Lois Lame or Paris Hoosier win?

Lending a hand are the sheriff’s capable (or not?) sidekicks, Deputy Blarney Fife and Jethro Boding. Yes, you’re recognizing a bit of Beverly Hills thrown into the plot. And rest assured, the wise Aunt Bee will be there too. The audience participation murder mystery merges favorite 1960’s era television characters with new ones. You’ll have to be there, though, to find out who doesn’t make it through the night and who committed the dastardly deed.

The fun starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person for SIUC students or $30 for the general public. The tickets, available in very limited numbers, cover the meal and murder mystery. You can get your advance tickets at the SIUC Student Center ticket office, located on the second floor. Or, call the office at 618/453-3478 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for tickets. There are no ticket refunds and they won’t be selling tickets at the door.

The dinner menu includes fruit and mixed green salad with raspberry vinaigrette, chicken supreme with mushroom riesling sauce, artichoke primavera carbonara, vegetable wild rice, seasoned green beans, crusty dinner rolls and iced tea and coffee. Topping off the evening for dessert are lemon torte and caramel cinnamon bread pudding.

Student Center Special Programs and Center Events and Student Center Dining Services are sponsors for “Mayhem in Mayberry.” For tickets or more information, call 618/453-3478 or look online at www.siucstudentcenter.org.