New Orleans-style whodunit coming to Darton State College

ALBANY — There’s nothing like a little murderous intrigue to spice up a bayou family affair.

And the chance to figure out whodunit can have its benefits, including providing scholarship money for college students.

For the sixth year, Darton State College will be the site of a whodunit murder mystery, but the lethal part will all be in fun.

The setting for this year’s event, “Murder at Rutherford House,” is the annual celebration of the death of the wealthy Lord Rutherford. Cocktails — and the mystery — start at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. on Jan. 22 and 23 at the Darton State College Student Center.

“The event is it’s the fifth anniversary of Lord Rutherford’s death,” said Elizabeth Perkins, dean of the School of Humanities & Social Science. “The will can be released after the death has been celebrated each year for five years. This is the fifth year and Lady Rutherford is in line to get a lot of money.”

If she makes it, that is.

The cast comprises Darton students and alumni who have participated in previous whodunit fundraisers at the college, but each of the two nights of the performances can have up to 200 extras, the capacity for each show.

“This one’s going to be a little different than the ones we’ve done in the past,” Perkins said, noting that as audience members arrive, each will get a character dossier.

“They can choose to be in character or not,” she said. “Some people want to come in and sit and not do anything, and that’s fine. Some people really like to get involved with it. The experience is different for everybody. It’s part staged and part interactive.”

Everyone who attends is a “guest” of the Rutherford family. “Everyone there is a friend of the family,” Perkins said.

And while several of the cast members may not make it to the end of the event, no audience members will meet an untimely demise that could cost them the opportunity to experience what is expected to be a great meal.

“The food is usually very good,” Perkins said. Since Rutherford House is “located” in New Orleans, this year’s menu has a Cajun-creole theme. Participants can choose one of three entrees, with bread pudding for dessert.

Deadline for ticket sales is Friday because the number of those who will be attending has to be given to the caterer, who is the new director of Darton’s catering company. “We’re really going to give him a run for his money,” Perkins said. “We’re going to say, ‘Here, now cook for 400 people.’”

Seating is limited to 200 people for each performance. Perkins said the Saturday show sells out each year, and the Friday show is usually at least 80 percent sold.

Ticket sales have been going well this year. Perkins said the pace is ahead of sales for the past five years.

Regardless of whether anyone in the audience figures out who the culprit is, the event will have a positive impact. The proceeds go to help fund student scholarships.

“We give out eight to 10 scholarships every year funded from this event,” Perkins said.

Tickets are $50 for individuals and $350 for a table for eight. For tickets, call (229) 317-6554.