The Ottumwa High School (OHS) Drama Department, in partnership with student-run Bulldog Café, is serving up a night of laughter, suspense, and interactive fun with Murder Medium Rare, a comedy murder mystery dinner theatre experience. The one-night-only performance will take place Saturday, November 1, at 6:00 p.m. in the Ottumwa High School Cafeteria.

Directed by OHS Senior Serenity Frantz, this unique production combines live theatre with audience participation, allowing guests to become an integral part of the show. Guests will enjoy a delicious dinner while helping unravel the mystery surrounding the evening’s honoree — famed cookbook author and critic, Marjorie Richmond.

The plot thickens as Marjorie arrives with her much-younger, henpecked husband, Jeffrey. The banquet staff adds color and comedy, from nerdy Milton and emotional Blanche to sweet Kim, Jeffrey’s former flame. Meanwhile, Chef Roberto Di Napoli works frantically to impress Marjorie, but his hopes are cut short when she is suddenly murdered.

That’s when two undercover cops, Joe Carmen and Hank Miranda (aka “Carmen and Miranda”), step in. With the help of the audience, they investigate the suspects, gather testimony, and even hold a “detection election” where audience members vote on the culprit. Multiple endings mean each performance can take a different hilarious turn, depending on the crowd’s choice.

“This is such an exciting opportunity for our students to let their talents shine in a completely new way,” said Jeffrey Leonard, OHS Drama Director. “It’s a fun, interactive experience that’s just as entertaining for the performers as it is for the audience.”

Tickets are $45 and must be purchased in advance through Bound, via this link, as seating is limited. We can not accommodate purchasing tickets at the door.

Don’t miss this chance to enjoy an unforgettable night of food, fun, and mystery at Ottumwa High School.