Los Gatos Weekly-Times
Dining
The Deer Creek Bar and Grill will present a dinner theater program for three weekends beginning Aug. 25. Among the performers in 'Murder Stage Right or Who Killed Hamlet?' are (from left) Ariol Ascher, Michael Riley and Summer Reeves.
It's a whodunit over dinner at Deer Creek Bar and Grill
By Suzanne Cristallo
Anyone with an inclination to combine a little Shakespeare, a little mystery and a little comedy with some chicken piccata should check out what Theatre in the Mountains is doing. A $40 ticket buys an adult a complete dinner served at Los Gatos' Deer Creek Bar and Grill during a performance of Murder Stage Right or Who Killed Hamlet? The dinner theater promises a lot of fun and good food where guests interact with actors and vote for their choice of murderer.
Theatre in the Mountains is a nonprofit organization funded by the Loma Prieta Community Foundation for residents in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It has provided theatrical experiences for children and adults for over 20 years. Normally, productions are held at the C.T. English Middle School gym, but for the first time, this year's adult production will be held at Deer Creek Bar and Grill on Highway 17 just south of the Summit.
"We approached Deer Creek because we think it is the perfect location for mountain people," says Aeriol Ascher, producer, actor and costume designer. "The actors are also of a caliber that will attract an audience" beyond the mountain area. She says promoters have distributed more than 8,000 mailers.
In its normal work week, Deer Creek Bar and Grill serves an extensive lunch and dinner menu, from rack of lamb to baby back ribs, to locals and highway travelers, Tuesday through Sunday. It has a 200-guest capacity. But for the five performances of the dinner theater scheduled between Aug. 25 and Sept. 2, tables for just 60 guests will be arranged around the perimeter of a stage set up specifically for the shows. Deer Creek owner/chef Joseph Farniam says he and wife Katrina will serve three entrées: chicken piccata made with white wine, capers, garlic and cream; tilapia, a breaded white fish buttered then baked; and a vegetarian platter of mixed vegetables with sauteed mushrooms. "They will love it," he says. Besides covering the show, the $40 for adults, $35 for students and seniors and $25 for children includes salad, entrée, dessert, tax and tip. Reservations must be made in advance.
Scenery for Murder Stage Right or Who Killed Hamlet?, by Phillip Lester, was moved into Deer Creek last weekend. The first scene of the production opens with the final death scene in William Shakespeare's play. It results in what soon becomes evident is a murder. What follows then is a melodramatic comedy.
"The guys have been working very hard on their fencing [for the Hamlet scene]," says Ascher. She says the choreography involved in the footwork is a credit to director Lissa Ferreira Dunham, who also advises the actors on their accents. "The play's police inspector, Jacques Clueless, has a terrible French accent on purpose," Ascher laughs, referring to the bumbling character responsible for deducing who among the play's troupe members is the murderer. Guests will have an opportunity to interact with actors in keeping with a character assigned to them. Whoever votes for the correct murderer at the end will win a prize. An additional attraction in the play will be four pieces of music performed live with piano accompaniment.
Besides Ascher, the cast includes Will Brown, Kathleen Leary, Summer Reeves, Michael Riley and Mary and Richard Webb. Local personalities will make guest appearances. Among them are Henry Castaniada, Loma Prieta School District superintendent, and Marlene Wiley of the Mountain Network News.
Tickets may be ordered by calling 408.353.9999 or by visiting www.theatreinthemountains.org. Performances are Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25 and 26, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 27, 6 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 31; and Saturday, Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m. Call Deer Creek Bar and Grill, located on Highway 17 one mile south of Summit Road, at 408.353.9060.
