A Cruise-mas Carol was written by Mystery Cafe's owner Brian Kelly and frequent performer Nissa Nordland. As the title implies, it takes place on a cruise to somewhere tropical, perhaps Hawaii since we were given leis upon arrival. Seated at round tables in the Majestic Oaks ballroom, the show begins with an introduction by the crew of the S. S. Santa Cruise: Captain Lance Frigate (the always hilarious Ryan Nelson), First Mate Nelson Turnbuckle aka Bucky (an earnestly funny Brian Hodge-Rice), Cruise Director Sandy Decker (a spirited Nissa Nordland), and Chief Engineer/DJ/Titanic superfan Roger Stern (Sam Landman, speaking in a thick Scottish accent and spinning some fun tunes throughout the night). There are some interesting relationships among the crew that may play into the mystery, which involves some of the passengers, including a couple from Faribault (Adam Fielitz and Ann Lees) and a wealthy woman (Katherine Kupiecki), owner of the largest diamond ever mined in Minnesota, known as the Ope Diamond (this is one of many groan-worthy puns in the script, so bad they're good).
But before the crime occurs, we're treated to some typical cruising entertainment - a magician! Randy the Remarkable (played by Markus Clegg) performs some truly impressive tricks, as well as the best hand shadow puppetry I've ever seen (with help from Nissa). But then something unexpected happens, and we're enlisted to help solve the mystery, along with an author and amateur detective (Wini Froelich) who happens to be on the cruise. There aren't really a whole lot of clues to go on, it's mostly guesswork, with the most creative or funny guesses also rewarded.
The three-course meal is worked into the story, which is pretty easy to do when you're on a cruise (or at a wedding). There are little breaks in the action as we're served salad, line up for the buffet dinner, and enjoy chocolate cake for dessert (vegetarian options available, contact The Mystery Cafe for any other dietary needs). The actors pull double duty as servers, but they're never out of character as they mingle with the audience before and during the show, and are available to be bribed for clues. Everyone in the cast is fun to watch, loose and playful and constantly on their toes.
Cruising isn't really my scene, but I have been on one cruise on the Rhine River that was so wonderful it ruined me for all other cruises. This show definitely captures the cruising vibe in the friendly staff, the on-ship entertainment, the mingling amongst passengers, and constant availability of unlimited food. It doesn't really have anything to do with Christmas* much less the classic Dickens story, but that's OK. It's really just an excuse for the fun shenanigans of The Mystery Cafe.
A Cruise-mas Carol continues through January 4. Click here for info and tickets for any of their four shows this season. They also do private and corporate events, click here for details.
*Click here for reviews of all of the holiday shows I've seen this year.
