Excelsior Springs, Mo. – Mystery was in the air this weekend as the Excelsior Springs Area Cultural Guild hosted its annual Murder Mystery dinner, a fundraising tradition that raises funds for student arts scholarships. This year’s production, “Murder on the Menu” by Bill Hand, unfolded at the Montgomery Event Center, transforming the venue into a suspenseful crime scene filled with secrets, deception, and a room full of amateur detectives eager to solve the case.
The play, a comedic whodunit, takes place at a gala dinner hosted by the wealthy and influential Ward family. Tensions rise as family secrets, betrayals and long-standing feuds are revealed among the guests. The evening takes a dark turn when a murder occurs, forcing the attendees—both characters and audience members—to piece together clues, uncover motives and ultimately identify the killer before the night is over. The production combined mystery, humor, and audience interaction to create a fun and immersive experience.
Guests arrived to a lively social hour, setting the stage for an evening of community support. As attendees settled in for the performance, they were treated to a delicious meal while watching the Ward family drama unfold before them.
The talented cast of local actors brought the story to life with their performances:
Shawn Roney as Artemus Ward
Jolene Loftin as Eileen Morrow
Russell Wenz as Reginald Ward
Eric Schwab as Bernie Jones
Stacey Box as Jeannie Dell
Marla Neal as Alexis Ward
Bobby Besherse as Major
Sally Jones as Dr. Toni Bullfinger
Tisha Mason, who served as the event coordinator and narrator, guided the audience through the mystery. Mason, who has helped coordinate the event for several years, was shown much appreciation from the audience and cast for her efforts in organizing another successful evening.
Beyond the theatrical spectacle, the event also featured a silent auction, offering guests a chance to take home unique items while contributing to the scholarship fund. Auction items included books, paintings, home goods, photographs, totes, art supplies, and more. Casa Di Vite’s Susan Blasser organized the auction and also handled bartending for the evening. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church provided volunteers to help support the event as well.
Keeping the energy alive between scenes was Zac Wilkins of Deatz DJ Service, whose music added to the ambiance of the evening.
The Murder Mystery Dinner has become a staple for the Cultural Guild, serving as its primary fundraiser to support young artists’ educational pursuits. Funds raised from the event go directly toward scholarships for local students pursuing the arts, reinforcing the Guild’s commitment to supporting creativity within the community.
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