[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of A Killer Night in Studio City, an immersive murder mystery with dinner written and produced by Kevin Allen Jackson and Kristine Dickson, directed by Noah Blake and presented by DETNY Theatrical Productions, at Vitello’s.
What an absolute treat! If you are looking for a night out that combines Hollywood glamour, suspenseful storytelling, fantastic music, and a genuinely delicious meal, then look no further than DETNY Theatrical Productions’ latest gem, A Killer Night in Studio City, now playing at the iconic Vitello’s Restaurant!
Written and produced by the ridiculously talented husband-and-wife duo Kevin Allen Jackson and Kristine Dickson, and directed with a sharp, comedic eye by Noah Blake, this show is an absolute blast from start to finish.
It is the perfect blend of a classic 1950s whodunnit, fabulous musical revue, and a fully immersive, interactive mystery where everyone gets to play detective!
The year is 1958, and we are all gathered for a memorial service for the late Sophia Vance, Hollywood’s fastest-rising starlet who met a tragic, mysterious end when her car plunged off a cliff on PCH. But as the evening unfolds, it becomes very clear that everyone in Sophia’s inner circle has a motive, a secret, and a reason to want her dead! Could it be the spurned movie star Johnny Turner? The slick TV detective Ronnie Bennett? The gossip columnist Edith Sinclair? Or perhaps the celebrity makeup artist Arthur Clarkston? or even the delightful Mama Vitello herself. She cooks, she hosts, she murders???
What makes A Killer Night in Studio City so uniquely wonderful and memorable is how seamlessly the show transitions between a traditional comedic stage play and a moving, multi-room, multi-level experience.
Director Noah Blake utilizes the legendary, gorgeous space at Vitello’s brilliantly, keeping the pacing brisk, energetic, and utterly engaging. The cast featuring Anthony Carro, Brianna Kellum, Brittany Pirozzoli, Scott Striegel, Sarah Wolter, and Blake himself is truly phenomenal. Their quick-witted improvisation with the audience is a masterclass in interactive theatre, and their incredible performances of 1950s musical hits will have you tapping your toes between looking for clues..
Of course, because this is Vitello’s, the evening is as much a culinary delight as it is a theatrical one. Your ticket includes a sumptuous three-course dinner with fantastic entrée choices all superb, complete with soft drinks, coffee, or tea. There is something so magical about sorting through murder clues over a perfectly cooked meal in a room that has hosted real Hollywood royalty for decades.
Congratulations to the wonderful creative crew as well. Juliette Lunger’s 50s costume designs are gorgeous, and Jake Eberle’s sound design keeps the retro atmosphere perfectly intact.
A Killer Night in Studio City is exactly what live, local dinner theatre should be: immersive, deeply entertaining, community-driven, and incredibly fun.
Bring your friends, bring your appetite, and bring your best detective skills – Your table is waiting and you will be guaranteed a killer night out! I love love loved A Killer Night in Studio City!
Tickets:
https://www.akillernightlive.com/studiocity/tickets
When:
Sunday, October 4 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, October 8 at 6 p.m.; Saturday, October 17 at 2 p.m.; Sunday, October 18 at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, October 20 at 6 p.m.; Wednesday, October 21 at 6 p.m.; Thursday, October 29 at 6 p.m.; Saturday, October 31 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Where:
Vitello’s
4349 Tujunga Ave, Studio City