About Us
Looking for something fun and different to do for a night out? The laughs abound in this “must do” fun filled evening for the whole family!
Now in our 17th smash year, Mystery Dinner Playhouse is Washington D.C., Richmond, Williamsburg & Virginia Beach’s very popular mystery dinner theatre. Audience members solve a hilarious comedy mystery while enjoying a delicious four course dinner. The dinner is served to you at your table by a zany cast of characters who all the while are providing clues to help you solve the evening’s crime. You’re given bribe money to entice the “suspects” to give you better clues, and a clue dossier which contains riddles and puzzles that you’ll need to decipher in order to be eligible for our “Super Sleuth” prize.
If your looking for a new and different place to celebrate with a night of major FUN!, then come join our cast of killers at Mystery Dinner Playhouse. Perfect for couples, families, seniors, students & school groups, office parties, sales meetings, tour groups – you name it! We’re a whodunit of a good time!
For audition notices and job listings, click here.
About the Shows
The show is broken down into five 10-15 minute scripted scenes, with the action taking place throughout the entire room. In our banquet-style setting, we can seat up to 200 at our Washington D.C. location, 120 at our Richmond location, up to 200 people at our Williamsburg location and 80-200 people (depending on space availability) at our Virginia Beach location. We can accommodate tables for your party, large or small.
When you arrive, you will be met at the door by one or two of the evening’s “suspects” who will help you find your seats, show you to our cash bar, and get you ready for the mystery about to unfold.
When the first scene starts, keep a watchful eye open for clues, and jot down anything that look suspicious.
As the evening progresses, and the plot thickens, you will open a “clue dossier” which contains, among other things, Mystery Dinner Playhouse bribe money to use to entice the “suspects” to give you better clues.
Between scenes, our cast (always in character) serves you a delicious four course dinner. This gives you a chance to question each of the suspects about key elements of the murder.
During the “Dessert Break” we recognize audience members who are celebrating a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, with a hilarious sing-a-long.
At the end of the evening we collect your “solution forms” and give a prize to the person who best solves the mystery. We also give a prize to the more stupi…uh, well…creative answer!
The Creative Team Behind Mystery Dinner Playhouse & Killer Scripts
Jim Daab
Jim has been involved in professional theatre for over 30 years. A member of AEA and AFTRA, Jim also has a Theatre/Dance degree from Southern Illinois University, graduating with honors. As a performer, Jim has worked at theaters throughout the country, toured nationally as Oscar the Grouch with Sesame St. Live! , and had the honor of participating in a special holiday performance for President Reagan’s staff in the East Room of the White House. He has directed and choreographed productions on both the educational and professional levels, including industrial shows for such clients as Watkins Products, Cargill, and Red Baron Pizza. Jim’s introduction to mystery theatre began in Minneapolis where he lived and performed for 15 years. He and his wife, Laura moved to Richmond 15 years ago where they own and operate Mystery Dinner Playhouse – Washington D.C., Richmond, Williamsburg & Virginia Beach. Jim has written 33 plays for his theatres since moving to Richmond, and is now in the process of working on his 34th. Jim is also a musician and can be seen at his open stage every Tuesday night at Poe’s Pub in Richmond.
Laura Daab
Laura has been involved in professional theatre for over 20 years. Her career began as a performer and she eventually started working in arts administration, production and marketing. She has a degree in marketing communications from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, graduating magna cum laude. Laura has worked in publishing, graphic arts, advertising, market research, and arts management. Her many duties with Mystery Dinner Playhouse include advertising, marketing and promotion, website & graphic design, and prop, costume and set design. Laura has also provided production services for the local film & video industry. In her civic life, Laura had organized a Neighborhood Watch block captain program in her community and spearheaded an intitiative that resulted in the Church Hill Old & Historic District, winning an ACORN award and Heritage Award for her efforts.
Professional Memberships
Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation
Arlington Convention & Tourism Association
Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance
Richmond Alliance of Professional Theatres
National Dinner Theatre Association
Actor’s Equity Association (Jim)
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Jim)
Greater Richmond Tourism Association
Retail Merchants Association
Richmond Motorcoach Network
Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association
Williamsburg Hotel Motel Association
Tourism Industry Network
Online Merchant Partnerships
Travelocity.com Vacations Made Easy.com Alcatraz Tours.com Look Tours.com DCTours.com NuRide.com
