Darton State College to host murder mystery dinner play

ALBANY — On Jan. 22 and 23, the Darton State College Foundation and The School of Humanities and Social Sciences is inviting the public to help solve a murder for a worthy cause. Participants will be wined and dined and be master sleuths while contributing to student scholarships.

This year’s murder mystery dinner play is “Murder at Rutherford House.”

“For the last six years, Darton State College Foundation and The School of Humanities and Social Sciences team to present an unique dinner experience in Albany,” said Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Elizabeth Gassel Perkins. “This interactive murder mystery dinner is one way we raise money to provide scholarships to Darton State College students.”

Murder at Rutherford House is set in an old mansion in New Orleans. The evening is a fictional celebration of the fifth anniversary of the death of Lord Rutherford. Lady Rutherford is throwing her annual dinner in commemoration of the event to which all are cordially invited.

On arrival, audience members will be given a character name and a dossier explaining their background, including the connection to the Rutherford family. During cocktails and dinner, guests will mingle with the kooky and often outrageous members of the Rutherford family, witness a murder or two, and work to solve the crime along with the hilarious detective, Wendle Weedle. In keeping with the evening’s theme, black tie is encouraged.

“Darton State College’s talented Darton Players will be portraying members of the Rutherford family,” said Assistant Professor of Theatre and Show Director Deborah Liss-Green. “We’ve already started rehearsals and the students are loving it. We can’t wait to be able to engage with an audience.”

In addition to dinner and entertainment, prizes will be awarded for solving the mystery.

Tickets will be available through December 24, 2015 for $35 ($250 for a table of eight) and may be purchased by calling 317-6554 or 317-6875. Tickets are $50 ($350 for a table of eight) starting Jan. 4 through Jan. 15. Ticket prices include dinner, show, and one drink ticket.

Cash bar available and seats are limited