Kevin O'Brien is a huge fan of superheroes. Also, he loves murders.
But only of the scripted variety. O'Brien has made his living writing and acting in murder mystery events for the past 25 years. His newest show, "It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's A Murder," combines those two elements. And it does so for the first time on July 25, when the event makes its national debut at Sassafras Springs Vineyard in rural Springdale.
FAQ
Murder Mystery Party
WHEN — 6 p.m. July 25
WHERE — Sassafras Springs Vineyard, 6461 E. Guy Terry Road in Springdale
COST — $45 per person; includes dinner and wine flight
INFO — 419-4999 or sassafrasspringsvin…
BONUS — Other dates for murder mystery parties at Sassafras are Oct. 30, Oct. 31, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11.
O'Brien has always loved comic books. And the national interest continues unabated as well, considering the schedule of Hollywood blockbusters featuring just such characters.
"I try to write about things that are in the public consciousness, and make fun of them, and have fun with them," O'Brien says.
O'Brien has written dozens of murder mysteries in the last quarter century. Primarily, the shows offered by his St. Louis-based company Upstage Productions are presented at wineries, and he travels to many in the middle parts of the country. With their combination of food, beverages and space for conversation, wineries are the perfect combination for friendship, he argues.
"Wineries have become what nightclubs used to be a few years ago," he says.
About 90 people showed up for the first murder mystery dinner show at Sassafras Springs, says Cheryl Long, who owns the venue with her husband, Gene Long. A consistent crowd, often 70 or more, arrives each time a new event is staged. That the couple has reserved a Saturday night at a busy wedding venue in the middle of wedding season says much about the popularity of the murder mystery parties.
"It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's A Murder" utilizes two professional actors playing multiple roles. O'Brien will take turns as The Joker and also as Inspector Gadget. He will also draw in between eight and 12 members of the audience to perform roles in the show. Those supplementary cast members come from those who volunteer during dinner.
"We never force it on anyone," O'Brien says.
There is a script for "It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's A Murder," one of about four murder mysteries O'Brien will write this year. But the element of surprise and using random audience members makes each night different, O'Brien says.
In his 25 years of entertaining, "I've never found a better way to bring so much joy to an audience," he says. "There is enough spontaneity ... It really keeps the evening fresh and funny."
Sassafras Springs has booked Upstage Productions for several more events this year, including a pair of Halloween shows and two dates near Christmas.
NAN What's Up on 07/17/2015