By D. A. Blackburn
In my travels as a theater critic, there's an unusual phenomenon I've had the displeasure of encountering only twice: sitting in an audience that is outnumbered by a show's cast. In an average theatrical setting, it's unnerving. In an audience-participation-heavy production – particularly when it's dinner theater, at the prime dinner hour, on a Saturday night – it's down right disconcerting. Such was the unfortunate scenario at Wolverine Lake's Mama Mia Restaurant, for the opening of Play With Your Food Dinner Theatre's "Murder By Karaoke."
While the limited crowd forced organizers to dispatch with the planned buffet in favor of family-style dining, the evening held true to the old adage, and the show did go on – and the performers made the best of the somewhat awkward situation.
Unfortunately for the few guests in attendance, the production proved to be a fairly generic murder mystery – something akin to a campy game of Clue.
"Murder By Karaoke" is a new production written by Terie Spencer, Play With Your Food's artistic director. The premise is simple: A gang of restaurant regulars has assembled for karaoke night. The actors take turns butchering a variety of well-known tunes, and the audience is invited to join them.
Among the regulars is an overbearing, outrageous performer, for whom no one seems to be able to hide their contempt. It's hardly a surprise when she keels over at the microphone, but two simple questions remain: Who done it? And how? Of course, the magic of dinner theater leaves it to the audience to ferret out the killer – sleuthy questions are even (unfortunately) provided.
This type of murder mystery requires a profound suspension of disbelief on behalf of the audience, and it's in this respect that "Murder By Karaoke" hits a sour note. The scenario feels too synthetic. Recitative performances by the cast, and audience interaction that feels tenuously forced, make it hard to look beyond the hokey conventions at play.
This is particularly surprising, given a recent production by Matrix Theatre called "Decide Tonight," which featured several "Murder By Karaoke" artists. The Matrix play was a unique experience, which integrated audience and cast almost seamlessly, and wove a wholly-credible plot around a community meeting.
Of course, much of this critique could be a moot point in a larger crowd. Though the script would remain subject to some pretty contrived interactions, the clues would be far less obvious, as would the performers. The simple reality is that plays that depend on audience participation demand a sizable audience with enthusiasm for the medium.
And, given a group of karaoke savvy guests – who feel like singing – "Murder By Karaoke" would have enough of a unique flair to elevate it beyond the realm of generic dinner theater murder mystery and into that of a truly raucous night of fun. For those interested, it's my suggestion that you attend in a significant group, and with just a touch of luck, you might forgo the unusual phenomenon that occurs when a cast-to-patron ratio is decidedly out of whack.
REVIEW:
'Murder By Karaoke'
Play With Your Food Dinner Theatre at Mama Mia Restaurant, 1403 S. Commerce Rd., Wolverine Lake. Saturdays through May 30. $24.95, which includes buffet dinner and show; doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner and show at 5:30 p.m. 248-624-2648.
