MacCrimmon intrigued (WhoDunnit Murder Mystery)

Murder by Midnight: The Case of the Missing Identity

By A.S. Waterman

Directed by John Thwing A review by Beth Beck

Entire contents are copyright © 2025 Beth Beck. All rights reserved.

 “I’ve heard you specialize in finding the answers to difficult questions...” 

Those words have been heralded throughout these past 24 years in the theatre community. Their very existence cordially invites you into a well-known tale of mystery and intrigue. WhoDunnit Murder Mystery Theater, a local theatre company, is currently bestowing upon local audiences the opportunity to assist the one and only Dr. MacCrimmon (played by Ryan Beyer) as you play detective alongside him. 

According to the playwright, A.S. Waterman, this performance is the second in a series of six Dr. MacCrimmon plays, plus two prequels and one spinoff, all connected by one overriding mystery. This is the third production of this series that WhoDunnit has offered to locals and they plan to continue this series in years to come. Waterman noted that, with nine incarnations, Dr. MacCrimmon has become a beloved figure over time as he solves crimes in the early 1900s amidst gaslights, horse-drawn carriages, and mysterious characters.

While notably unique, Dr. MacCrimmon also graciously pays homage to other popular household names in my mind. In this way, he is relatable and evokes sympathy and curiosity easily. I was brought back to my childhood memories of Harriet the Spy, Sherlock Holmes, and Agatha Christie novels. Other attendees were on the edge of their seats eagerly awaiting the next chapter of his story as they were well-catered for their 3-course meal in between scenes. 

Murder mystery dinners all carry their own level of finesse and playful tact when it comes to crowd participation. This particular production incorporates the audience through precisely-timed opportunities to immerse themselves in the story. Each character offers clues and ample opportunity to either conduct your own interrogations or minimally strike up a conversation. One thing I loved was that attendees get to feel involved yet participation in the production isn’t a necessity. It is a sit-down experience where you enjoy the show but are provided the chance to talk to the characters with no pressure either way. 

Attending these events feels like you’re playing the board game CLUE but with one additional perk – the characters are brought to life before your eyes as you watch them align each new piece of the puzzle. The subtle timing between each scene was perfected through elegant precision and synchronicity by the cast, crew, and staff.

“I appreciated the pacing of the entire show,” said one crowd-goer, Amy Haertzen. “I think that the food was up to par and the staff was very friendly. I wish I could have gone in with more understanding of what the experience could be like, as this was my first time attending a murder mystery dinner.”

She continued, “I think that the actors each carried themselves perfectly for their roles. I felt intimidated in a good way by Dr. MacCrimmon, as anyone would be by a world-renowned detective. I felt sympathetic towards some characters and I felt mistrustful of some when it was intentionally provoked. It felt like less of a show and more of a snapshot in time, which was amazing! The crowd participation was noteworthy as well. I enjoyed how well we were able to flesh out the characters through conversation with them — it made them feel more real. I’m looking forward to doing it again.”

Behind the scenes, the WhoDunnit team worked gracefully alongside the cast to assist with whatever needs they and the crowd might have. MacCrimmon displayed a remarkable amount of vulnerability, charm, and intelligence in his role. The frailty, passion, and grace brought to the play by Jesse Tallwood (played by Scarlett Hawpe) added an additional level of charm. Mrs. Janice Tallwood (played by Beth Olliges) worked the crowd with pristine eloquence and captivating expression. 

Additional shout-outs to:

-Mr Daniel Collins (played by Todd Padgett) — for the endearing perplexity he brought to the stage.

-Jeremy Tallwood (played by Tiger Rogers)  — what’s a good murder mystery without an exuberant amount of diabolical interest, humor, and skepticism? This character will keep the audience on their toes!

-Ellsworth Trent (played by Mike Bucci) — who brought great compassion and empathetic qualities to his role.

-Mira (played by Janice Walter) — who dazzled the audience with her creativity and delightfully bewildering nature. This role added an essential layer of depth to the overall performance.

Be sure to get your tickets before they sell out! Don't let Dr. MacCrimmon solve the case without you!

$59.90 includes show, dinner, tax and gratuity.

Dinner choices: Yankee pot roast, Bristol fish, chicken piccata, or linguine pietro (vegetarian)

Murder by Midnight: The Case of the Missing Identity WhoDunnit Murder Mystery Theater February 15 - March 22; Seating at 6:15 P.M. / Show starts promptly at 7:00pm The Bristol Bar & Grille Downtown 614 West Main Street whodunnit-ky.com