"Big Fun 70s Murder"
Planet Ant Theatre
Hamtramck, Mich.
Through April 11
“Fiftyish years ago, on this very night, I was murdered,” says a blond woman in a bright, flower-printed shift dress as she greets the audience at Planet Ant Theatre. We’re at their production of “Big Fun ‘70s Murder,” and our ghost is asking our help to solve her case. The stakes are high: if we guess correctly, she goes to heaven. If we don’t, it’s a straight ticket south. Either way, shenanigans are about to ensue.
“Big Fun Murder” – with a 1970s theme – is an improv murder mystery that has been performed throughout Michigan. Every night is the same murder mystery premise but a completely different show with a scenario set by the audience, almost like a reverse game of Clue.
Our “murder” took place inside a casino, happened through blunt force and incorporated deer.
The victim was a former childhood TV star, portrayed by a series of guest actors, including Michelle Giorlando on our night. Our list of suspects included the victim’s agent (Lola Castellano), her father (Keenan Mullaney), her TV brother-turned lover (Steve Grain), the casino owner (Jared Simard), a casino wrestler (Chris Fortin), and the president of her TV show fan club (Patty Rooney).
Directed by Mullaney, the show was fun, and all did an impressive job with an abundance of creativity and sharp thinking. Incorporating deer into a casino setting, the show cast the victim’s father as an avid hunter with more interest in his taxidermy collection than his daughter. The scene between Mullaney and Rooney as they processed the latest, prized kill was particularly funny. The quickly escalating TV brother-to-lover storyline was also a highlight, and Giorlando and Grain leaned into the awkward and somewhat disturbing relationship.
In terms of solving the mystery itself, there’s not a ton that can be done to set you up for success. The cast draws the killer in secret at the beginning. They do their best to tease their claims. But the ending feels more random than anything, so don’t feel too bad if you find yourself sending an innocent, traumatized girl to an eternity of damnation. C’est la vie.
And if you don’t like your ending, you can always come back another night and try again.
