Community members put on entertaining murder mystery dinner

The Akwesasne Jr. Indians lacrosse team organized a fundraiser this past weekend that had a number of community members trying out their acting and entertaining skills. The team held a murder mystery dinner show at the Brass Horse called The Four Deuces.

Using a script they found on the Internet, organizers recruited community members to play a number of 1920s characters. The setting was the grand opening of a “lavish new speakeasy” called The Four Deuces. The many interesting characters included gangsters, gold diggers, hit men, politicians and singers.

The costumes and performances were hilarious and the actors wowed the audience with their natural abilities. Reen Cook played Rebecca Ravioli. Dressed in a fur coat, Rebecca broke down in hysterics when her father, Big Jim, was murdered.

John Adams played U.S. Congressman Darrin Toosteal. Throughout the dinner, he reminded those in attendance to “Vote Toosteal” at the next election.

The other actors and roles were Don Smart as Don Wannabe, Stacy Adams as Madam MeMe, Oren Bigtree as Capo “Toto” Tequila, Phil Cook as Big Jim Ravioli, Nancy Oakes as Carrie Crooner-Ravioli, Karen Loran as Vicky Ravioli, Dr. Ben Kelly as Rhett Bumbler, Corleen Jocko as Baroness Ravioli, Buck Cook as Inspector Neville “The Nose” Nutella, Clarissa Chatlin as Donna Wannabe, Kevin Smart as Al Capone, Troy Skidders as Sly Sleaze, Laura Thompson as Vanessa Crooner, Abby Mitchell as Mary Toosteal, Tom Smart as Cash Steal, Lindsay Day as Cassandra Steal, Chris Adams as Jack “Greasy Thumbs” Guiseppi and Amber McDonald as Guilda Guiseppi.

While members of the Jr. Indians served a three-pasta meal, guests were expected to follow the show and talk with characters in an attempt to get clues. Don Smart walked from table to table asking guests, “Have I told you about…” offering up tips and clues, while referring to a cheat sheet he had tucked in his inside pocket.

At the end of the event guests wrote down who they thought was the murderer, who they thought gave the best performance and who had the best costume. Best costume went to Madam Meme (Stacy Adams) and Best Performance went to Rebecca Ravioli (Reen Cook).

The unique event was fun for audience members as well as the cast and crew. Organizers and helpers included Tisha Thompson, Teneya Mitchell, Debbie Smart, Carlene Cree, Shari Adams, Amanda Adams, Laura Thompson, Karin Thompson and Amy McDonald.

Hopefully the community will have a chance in the future to see this group perform again.