Dinner with a Side of Murder
Mystery of the Murdered Mobster
Chicago 1940
Angelo Marconi , the well-known owner of “Angelos” Italian Restaurant, and suspected crime-boss of the city, has been murdered. The not-so-usual suspects are gathering for the reading of his will, looking forward to learning what they will inherit. The evening will not go as they planned.
Come join us for dinner at Angelos, and be transported back to 1940, complete with music, costumes, and colorful characters from the period. Guess who is the murderer and win prizes, on this evening of mystery, suspense, surprises and fun!
In this new, original who-dun-it by
Michael C. Whitham
This unique Dinner-Theater will be held at The Burton Leavitt Theatre
January 9, 2027
Casting Call to be held:
Wednesday, September 9 at 7pm
at The Burton Leavitt Theatre
779 Main Street in Willimantic Connecticut
Friday, September 11, at 7pm
at Unity of Greater Hartford
919 Ellington Rd, South Windsor, CT
Practices will be twice a week starting soon. We are looking to fill the following roles:
Rocco Marconi – Younger Brother of Angelo and his right-hand man.
- Outwardly: 40 – 50 years old. Tall, Dark and Handsome. Known to have a temper.
- Secretly: He is having an affair with Angelo’s wife Maria. He expects to take over the business and enjoy the power and the fortune. He is happy Angelo is dead.
- Motives: Expects to take over all Angelo’s business, and make some changes. Probably marry Maria and share the wealth.
Maria Marconi – Second Wife of Angelo
- Outwardly: Attractive. Younger than Angelo (about 40). Appears to be in mourning.
- Secretly: She is having an affair with Angelo’s brother Rocco. She enjoys the wealth that her marriage has brought her, but she doesn’t love Angelo. She also does not like Angelo’s daughter from his first marriage. She too is happy Angelo is dead.
- Motives: Expects to marry Rocco and inherit all Angelo’s wealth and businesses.
Gino Lombardi – The Accountant for the family business
- Outwardly: 50 – 65 years old. He grew up in the neighborhood as friends with Angelo. He’s like a member of the family. Stays away from the violent side of the business.
- Secretly: He has been embezzling funds from Angelo’s various businesses for years.
- Motives: He is happy Angelo is dead. Expects to have some inheritance from the will, but also has enough money stashed away to live comfortably. May continue embezzling as the family accountant.
Angela (Angel) Marconi — Angelo’s daughter from his first marriage. (The mother passed away.)
- Outwardly: 20 – 29 years old. Pretty, Young, Rebellious. She’s a party girl who spends her time and money at all the best night clubs. Dresses that way as well.
- Secretly: She’s very materialistic. Her boyfriend is the younger son of the rival mob. She dislikes most of her family, especially her stepmother. Not happy her father is dead, but it solves many of her problems.
- Motives: Expects to have a large inheritance from the will, and can continue her wild lifestyle – including her boyfriend Mickey.
Mickey O’Toole – Angel’s Boyfriend (Irish) Son of a rival gang’s leader. (Irish accent?)
- Outwardly: 25 – 35 years old. Good looking. Young, Rebellious. Cocky and brash.
- Secretly: He really likes Angel. Especially the partying. But he has other women on the side. He has secret motives beyond that. Happy Angelo is dead as he stood in his way.
- Motives: Expects to have a large inheritance from the will, and can continue her wild lifestyle – including her boyfriend Mickey.
Burt Westwood – Captain on the police force.
- Outwardly: 40-65 years old. Bureaucratic. Seems full of himself. But understands the police business, and somewhat connected.
- Secretly: He’s been on Angelo’s payroll for years. Looking the other way when needed, and supplying Angelo’s organization with information.
- Motives: Somewhat happy Angelo is dead, but not sure where things go from here.
Aldo – The Matra Dee and manager of “Angelo’s”
- Outwardly: 55-65 years old. Well dressed. Professional. Loyal to the Restaurant and Family. Runs the restaurant.
- Secretly: He’s not happy Angelo is dead. He enjoyed working for him.
- Motives: None. He is now wondering what will happen to him and the restaurant.
Other Minor Roles
(These roles can mingle with the audience and ad-lib clues based on a given outline.)
Two Henchmen – Posing as Aldo’s Security
- Outwardly: 30 – 50 years old. Professional. Bodyguards/Security. Well-dressed suits, and concealed guns.
- Secretly: Their main purpose is to insure no weapons are brought to the reading of the will. Can drop verbal “clues” to the audience guests to reinforce the storyline.
Waitresses – In Costume
- Outwardly: Any age. Professionally dressed. Mingle with the guests.
- Secretly: Can drop verbal “clues” to the audience guests to reinforce the storyline.
Staff – In Costume
- Outwardly: Any age. Professionally dressed. Mingle with the guests.
- Secretly: Can drop verbal “clues” to the audience guests to reinforce the storyline.
- May include:
- Coat check girl
- Doorman
- Bartenders