Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union transformed into a crime scene on Friday, Oct. 1 with the arrival of the Murder Mystery Company.

Students lined up for Mystery After Dark, an ‘80s-themed murder-mystery dinner. As they walked into the lounge, they were greeted by Cyndi Lauper and Journey playing on the speakers, Pickleman’s sandwiches and character Johnny Diamond; the music industry executive, shouting, “Who here is ready to rock?”

While waiting in line for the event, junior Sydney Brooks said she did not know the details of the event but was excited for a free and fun night.

“I really don’t know what to expect,” Brooks said before the event. “I think it’s going to be like a full-sized game of Clue or something like that, but involving food. That’s my first impression of it.”

The room was filled with round tables, seating around 10 each. Pickleman’s sandwiches were served as members of the Murder Mystery Company walked around to each table in colorful ‘80s-themed attire. As the event began, organizers gave each table binders with the rules of the game. The organizers also gave some tables a profile of a suspect, choosing one person to wear a hat and act as the suspect throughout the night. Once the characters were introduced, the investigation and questioning began.

Each character received a folder with clues, giving them reason to question the other suspects. Based on the clues, the other students at the table went around to question the suspects to learn about their backstories and possible motives. Students were given fake money to bribe the suspects and take notes to form their accusation. The night consisted of the murders of Johnny Diamond and Muffy, and two impromptu concerts by Poison Ratenstien and Pat Minotaur.

Just before the reveal of the murderer, sophomore Michael Talone said he was sure of his accusation. The majority of the groups suspected Cindy Leap Year, Poison’s girlfriend, as the murderer. Johnny Diamond’s murder was committed by electric shock through Poison’s headphones. Cindy had experience with wiring and electricity and knew about the groupies surrounding Poison.

“I think we got it hands down,” Talone said. “Cindy. Her motive was she was jealous of the groupies [who Poison was cheating on Cindy Leap Year with], and those headphones that killed Johnny, they were meant for Poison.”

Justin Howe, an actor for six years with the Murder Mystery Company, said he was very happy with the turnout on Friday. During the event, Howe played both Johnny Diamond and the detective.

“We’ve done a few shows since COVID and stuff but this one, honestly, it’s the biggest show I’ve done and [the students] were great,” Howe said. “I think we had 21 tables and about 10 people at each, so about 210 [people].”

The Murder Mystery Company is part of a national company with more than 3,000 actors nationwide, according to their website. Howe is a member of the Kansas City troupe, which he said travels around Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Arkansas.

Junior Alexander Hutson played the suspect Harry Mann, the oddball of the suspects. His voice and demeanor as Harry Mann evoked multiple laughs from the crowd.

“As soon as I was told I was going to be a character, I started trying out voices,” Hutson said. “And as soon as the people I came with cringed and turned away, I knew I’d found the one.”

Hutson has had experience playing characters through his summer job, so he said getting to act for a night was exciting.

“This is the most fun I’ve had since the summer,” Hutson said. “I work as a summer camp counselor, so this is literally like my whole job … I get to play characters all the time. So this is right into my space — this is what I’ve been missing, so I’m really having the time of my life here.”

Freshman Olivia Aker played the suspect Muffy, Poison’s biggest fan. During the night, Muffy’s storyline consisted of accusations, meltdowns and ultimately, her death.

“I was not expecting them to give characters, and then [one of the Murder Mystery Company actors] sat the hat on me and I just really fell in love,” Aker said. “I really liked my character and I felt like I could just make her my own.”

Aker said that she was glad she ended up participating in the murder-mystery dinner.

“A million times yes [I would go again],” Aker said. “It was so fun. I almost didn’t come because I didn’t have people to come with at first, and it was just so fun. I would go every week.”

Edited by Emmet Jamieson | ejamieson@themaneater.com