Mystery Dinner Playhouse

Yelp claims to be a reliable, online source for reviews about local business by “real people.” They have incorporated a filter system that supposedly singles out reviews that their algorithms (not real people) deem suspect. The problem with this, as they admit, is that this system is not perfect and often times filters out good, “real” reviews by real customers. The filtered reviews never show up on the public website, but business owners have a link to them on their business page to view.

Unfortunately, our business has 7 really great reviews by real customers that have been filtered out, probably because they are not regular contributors to Yelp.  We know that they are real customers because they  have also emailed us and posted comments on our Facebook page. Yelp states that frequent users rarely get filtered, and first time reviewers often do get filtered – so the squeaky wheel gets the oil, so to speak. We perceive this as their algorithm being set to pander to repeat contributors and encouraging repeat contribution by rewarding it – so more traffic means more advertising dollars in their pocket.  Also, who’s to say that regular contributors are legitimate or reliable?

Yelp can explain how and why they are so “fair” all they want, but in the end, they are manipulating usage of their site to garner more cash in their pockets and passing it off as legitimate, reliable content. We say BS!

To counter their unfair practices, we are publishing the “filtered” reviews that do not show up on their site. Here they are:

5 star rating 10/24/2010 from Kevin F, Pleasanton, CA
“This was my first dinner theater and if they are all like this then “I am in!” The cast was very good with the audience and the improv was excellent. You could tell that the cast enjoyed their work and wanted to make sure that you enjoyed your evening.

If in the D.C. area I would definitely recommend this dinner theater, especially if you have a group of people. The audience gets to partake in the theather as well which made for a humorous evening. The food was good and it kept coming.”

4 star rating 10/23/2010 from LP F, Springhill, FL
“Had a great time at the Mystery Dinner Playhouse. The food is great and the Cast was first class. If you’re looking to do something different for a change… check it out. You and your significant other will enjoy.”

5 star rating 10/19/2010 from Sandra D, Alexandria VA

“I’m giving this place 5 stars for a couple of reasons.  #1 — the people at check in were really helpful and accepting.  I had a small group celebrating 24th anniversary and I forgot my coupon.  As it was, the coupon shouldn’t have applied to everyone in my party.  Still, they gave me the discount and included everyone in my group.

#2 — they went out of their way to make sure that the elderly people in my group were able to get a waiter to serve alcohol to our table.  That’s not common and I doubt they could have done this on a busier night — but they did and it helped make things special.

#3 — the entire cast helped seat us and they were in character.  It really set the mood for the evening.

#4 — one of the men in our party was given a “nickname” and was referenced throughout the entire show.

In short, we were treated like special guests.

I’ve talked to a couple of other people who have come to the show and found that our experience is typical.  The cast goes out of their way to make your night special.

I understand from talking to the cast that the show is under new management.  They’re in a new location with new people running the business here in DC.  So I think there may have been changes from what was previously happening.

As far as the script and the show overall, it’s just like one of those “mystery dinner” box games you can do at your house.  The script is a little corny in places, but it’s fun if you get into it.  And the cast really works to get you into it.

The alcohol is really cheap as far as hotel prices go, and you can park in the hotel for $5 (it says $22 on the sign but they validate at the end).

All in all we spent $52 per person after gratuity — and I doubt we’d have had a big dinner (there are 3 or 4 parts to dinner) and a fun show with music and games for this price anywhere else.

I’d recommend it.”

9/3/2010 from Lawrence H, Onandoga MI

“My wife and I celebrated our 2nd Wedding Anniversary with the Las Vegas show in Arlington. Great memories!! We loved the show and the food! the cast are in character from the moment you arrive to pay for the show and will interact with you throughout the evening if you play along! First Class Dinner and Family Entertainment for the price!”

4 star review 1/9/2010 from cynthia d, Springfield  VA

“I went with a few friends for my birthday…I was wary after reading the one star review, but we enjoyed ourselves!  We enjoyed the company at our table, trying to figure out the mystery, the actors were all fun as they stayed in character as they walked around making small talk between scenes.

The story was a little silly, but it was all in fun and it was something different to do than just a regular night out.

The only disappointment was the food was average hotel food.

I recommend trying it out.”

5 star rating 4/18/2009 from Alex S,  Alexandria VA

“We took our daughter to this show last night and were really happy.

She got special treatment and the actors worked hard to keep the audience laughing and having a good time.

The food was decent — and the script was cute — but what made this a special night was how great the actors were with the audience.

My daughter’s favorite character was a short girl whose character was melody.  She kept coming over and making sure we were ok.

It’s a civil war show with cheesy lines — but if you’re into it, they’re really funny.  I know nothing about the civil war but the stuff these guys say is silly and great.

I plan on going back when they have a new show running and this time I’ll take grown ups because the people who could drink and party were making a night of it.

For around $50 you can’t beat the food, service and a 2.5 hour show.”

5 star rating 3/23/2009 from Chauncey C, Falls Church VA

“We treated ourselves to a special night out at the “theater” and were kind of surprised with what we got.

This mystery dinner show is not high theater by any stretch.  The actors improv a lot and incorporate the audience into the script.

It was nothing even close to the experience I envisioned — but that turned out to be a great thing.  It’s not high brow theatre.  It’s relaxed and improved.

The waiters and waitresses are also your cast which is a great way for them to talk to you during the show.  They really make themselves available to answer questions or just chat with you about your experience. It made the people at my table very, very happy.

The hoop dresses are great as far as costumes go.

I was really happy with how interactive the cast was.

The food was so-so as far as hotel food goes.  But you go there for the entertainment — and they are entertainment.

You should try it — I doubt you’ll be disappointed.”