'Reality Bites Back' gives new twist to dinner-theater show at Byzantine

By STEPHANIE OTTEY

“Whodunits” have always been a popular form of theater, and board games, novels and even parties have revolved around solving a murder.

But when all three are combined, the product is a live murder-mystery dinner-theater that everyone can take part in.

This Saturday at the Byzantine Center at the Grove, audiences can do their part to solve a crime as local actors bring Eileen Moushey’s “Reality Bites Back” to life — and death.

“Reality Bites Back” is an interactive murder-mystery that is modeled after the ever-popular “Tony and Tina’s Wedding.” As the audience enters, so do the characters. The actors mingle with the crowd and improvise conversations with each other and audience members. Once everyone is settled, a sort of one-act play occurs — the only truly scripted scene of the night. Here the audience learns about the crime that has been committed.

The audience is introduced to Martin Duckworth, a little-known entrepreneur and lover of reality shows who has created a new reality show series that combines the ideas of “Survivor” and “The Apprentice.”

With a spot as a CEO of one of Duckworth’s companies and $1 million up for grabs, a slew of reality show stereotypes battle until only one is left standing. Three challenges remain for the contestant, which the live audience is invited to witness.

After gathering what clues they can, the audience has the opportunity to vote on who the guilty party is. The audience adds a new variable to the story and game, creating a completely unique ending with every performance so that nobody could possibly spoil the ending.

The evening, which benefits The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley, includes a three-course meal and hours of audience-induced entertainment. The cast includes Jimmy McClellan, Amy-Anne Kibler, and WFMJ-TV’s Glen Stevens.