Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, is March 23-24

CRESCO - The Cresco Theatre Commission and the Cresco Community Theatre present A Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre event, ‘Dinner at 8, Dead by 9’ to support the Cresco Theatre’s Marquee Restoration Fund.

‘Dinner at 8, Dead by 9’ takes place in the Champlin Hall in the basement of the Cresco Theatre Saturday, March 23 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 24 at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance.

Tickets are $25 and are on sale at Cresco Welcome Center, CUSB Bank, Cresco Bank & Trust and the Cresco Theatre/Opera House. 

Seating is limited. Meal includes spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread and chocolate mousse.

Cresco Theatre Commission vice president Gayle Kelm said, “We currently have approximately $11,000 left to pay on the marquee, and CUSB Bank and the Thomson Charitable Foundation have pledged total matching funds of half of that amount, $5,500, to help us meet our goal of paying off that debt. We are thrilled with the increasing number of live performances being held at the theatre, and we have several projects we would like to focus on for the future: repair/rebuild the scene shop, new curtains and rigging and new seats, to name a few.”

Cresco Bank & Trust is sponsoring the event.

The Cresco Theatre Commission’s Mission Statement reads: ‘To preserve, maintain, and operate the Cresco Theatre as a historic landmark which benefits the people of Cresco, Howard County, Iowa and tri-state area by providing an accessible, unique facility and valuable cultural asset.

‘To encourage the presentation of professional and community-based productions of the varied musical and dramatic styles and traditions which come under the umbrella of stage and screen.

‘To serve as a community auditorium to support the vitality of the local business and educational districts and enhance the tourism experience in the area.’