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‘A Very Special Episode’

Dinner theater places murder mystery on TV sitcom set

By TERRI CASTELAZ, Staff Writer 6 min read

KINGSFORD -- What happens when a classic sitcom, a live television broadcast and a murder mystery collide?

Audiences will find out this weekend when Mr. Black Presents brings "A Very Special Episode -- Murder Mystery Dinner Theater" to Venue 906 in Kingsford. Shows begin at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The production transforms the venue space into a working television soundstage, where guests become part of the live studio audience for "Like It or Not, We're Family!" -- a fictional, top-rated sitcom on the streaming service Nostalgia.tv.

Writer and director Seth Anderson said he took cues from television comedies of the '80s and '90s, when sitcoms occasionally set aside their usual humor for a "very special episode" to deal with a more serious issue.

"Those who have watched a lot of TV during those decades will remember that one where the family would tackle a hard topic, usually something that was making headlines at the time," Anderson said.

Shows such as "Diff'rent Strokes," "Roseanne," "Home Improvement" and "The Cosby Show" helped inspire the production, with elements of several familiar television eras woven into the fictional Pinsky family's world.

The storyline centers around Buck and Sue-Ellen Pinsky and their teenage daughter, Addison. During the show's "very special episode," Addison is faced with a challenge involving her boyfriend -- setting in motion the events that eventually turn the sitcom into something much more chaotic.

And, of course, there's a murder to solve.

The production is designed to be more than a traditional stage murder mystery. For the first half of the show, audiences will experience what appears to be a conventional live taping.

"In the second half is when things will start to go a little haywire -- but, it still stays pretty funny," Anderson said.

Before the show begins, the studio crew will prepare attendees for their role in the fictional broadcast, providing cues for when to applaud, boo, laugh or respond to the action onstage.

Two cameras will record the action on set, with the footage live streamed on monitors in the venue.

"It's like 'Saturday Night Live,' where not only do you see the set, but everything around it," Anderson said.

The unusual format also created an additional challenge for the cast. All 12 actors have dual roles, portraying characters on the fictional television program, while also playing people involved behind the scenes.

Anderson incorporated the Hollywood writers' and actors' strikes into the show to explain its skeleton crew. "It's part of the comedy," he said.

The cast includes several Mr. Black regulars, as well as newcomers.

In addition to Anderson, "A Very Special Episode -- Murder Mystery Dinner Theater" features Evan Blagec, Rob Lundholm, Katherine LaFreniere, Sara Hadden, Joey Lundholm, Mike Adam, Paula Matuszak, Linda Carpenter, Sarah Michals, Jenifer Queen and Audrey Smith.

Blagec is also Mr. Black creative lead and set construction, with Paula Matuszak on production design and Anderson on audio/video integration.

The concept for the production originated with Venue 906 owner Brad Staedt a couple years ago. "We had been doing murder mysteries for a while there, and he suggested something set around a television show would be fun," he said.

Anderson let the idea percolate over time before formally beginning work on the script last fall, completing it by spring.

"Once I started it came easy," he said.

Much of the dialogue was developed collaboratively with the cast, with several characters written specifically for the actors who would eventually portray them.

The production also represents a significant technical step for Mr. Black Presents, Anderson said.

The group has gradually been constructing more elaborate sets and expanding what it can accomplish on stage.

"We've been building up to this for so long," he said. "Our cast and crew is ready to take on this complicated production."

Anderson also incorporated his own experience working in the industry for 13 years in southern California. His familiarity with television sets and behind-the-scenes production dynamics helped shape the fictional world.

Despite those real-world influences, Anderson said the goal is ultimately entertainment.

"I've made it light and fun," he added.

The show is divided into four sections, separated by commercial breaks. As the story progresses, the mystery deepens, giving audience members the opportunity to determine who they believe is responsible.

"As with other Mr. Black murder mysteries, audience members can submit their guesses for the killer, with prizes available," he said.

The production is rated PG-13 for some language, drug references, simulated violence and character death.

Anderson said the rating is intended to reflect the darker elements of the murder mystery while keeping the overall experience accessible to teenagers and adults.

The set itself is another major part of the production. One area recreates Addison Pinsky's teenage bedroom, where some of the story's drama unfolds, while the main family action takes place in the Pinsky home.

Viewers will recognize familiar sitcom archetypes throughout the production.

Although the show draws heavily from the television of decades past, Anderson said its setting is rooted in 2026, reflecting its modern streaming series.

That distinction becomes part of the story. Rather than worrying about traditional television ratings, the fictional cast and crew are concerned with streaming numbers and how many people are watching. As the production spirals from sitcom into something resembling reality television, the audience inside the fictional world grows.

Anderson said that premise felt believable in the current streaming environment.

He explained the opportunity to create an interactive experience is one of the most rewarding aspects of the production.

"I'm the first person to write and direct a Mr. Black show, besides Evan -- he's put a lot of trust in me," Anderson said.

His goal is to continue pushing the boundaries with each production, exploring new technical possibilities and seeing how far the shows can go.

"Literally have characters walking off the stage and just saying, 'Hey, what do you guys think of this?'" he said. "When I can do that, that's my jam.

Anderson hopes audiences will leave feeling as though they experienced something they could not get from simply watching a show on a screen.

"I would say technically this is the most ambitious show we've ever done," Evan Blagec said. "I think it is a good representation of all of the things Mr. Black Presents does really well, all in one place."

"It's going to be a blast," Blagec added.

To add to the fun, Venue 906 made Hungry Man-style TV dinners, which was an available add-on option to ticket holders.

Online ticket sales close at 8 p.m. Thursday -- to purchase, go to the Venue 906 or Mr. Black Presents websites.

Tickets for those who just want to watch the show will be available at the door.

Sponsors for the production include Blagec Brothers Inc., Rize stores, Appollonia Dental, OPG: The Office Planning Group Inc., Venue 906 and Mountain Media House.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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