Murder Mysteries
Our very popular Murder Mysteries are when a group of actors and actresses come aboard the train, and put on a interactive show while you are enjoying your five course dinner. Each table in the dining car forms a detective team, and at the end of the train run, you must follow the clues the actors left, and figure out who the killer or killers are.
All Shows listed below in alphabetical order:
"Absence of Principal"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Grab your letter sweater and saddle shoes--we're heading for Philip Morris School, good ol' PMS, in Smoke City, Nebraska with a short stop in Nicotine. Make sure you bring your school spirit, since we'll cheer with head cheerleader Angela Cartwheel, and raise our voices in song with choir director, Donna Prima. Principal Dick Tate, an institution at this institution, has been found dead by school secretary Ima Crabbe, who hasn't smiled in years. No one seems to be upset at his death, in fact, everyone appears to be celebrating. Even the person who probably knew Principal Tate the best, Alec Smart, fourth year freshman and daily compulsory office visitor and recipient of "Board of Education" paddlings, seems unabashed by the death. Manley Player, football captain, thinks only about his girlfriend; Patty Melt, school cook, plans on incorporating "mystery meat" into today's menu; and Bunny Duster, custodian, meticulously mixes chemicals to prepare her cleaning products. Will power-hungry literature teacher Chuck Dickens or absent-minded chemistry teacher, Bernie Bunsen take control of PMS? Someone should take control of PMS!
"All My Bad Children"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Renowned Omaha businessman, Burton S. Carl, had been found dead in his bedroom of his stately mansion at 35th and Woolworth, the apparent victim of gunshots at close range. First to be suspected are his ne'er-do-well sons, Bradley and Evan, who find solace in alcohol for their failing careers. Detective F. Scott Yardley has his work cut out for himself with a whole family of shady siblings. The daughters don't seem to be any more respectable or responsible than the brothers. There's artist Daisy Carl who would like to paint green money, dancer Carmen Carl who seems to have two left feet, singer Gloria Carl who hopes to be discovered by a Big Band Leader, and student Amanda Carl who is anything but studious. Burton's sister Berniece, co-owner of the family department store, Carl's, hasn't shed a tear for her brother -- it must be shock. What else could it be? Will someone please find the will? Where there's a will there's a way!
"All That Glitters" or "Death on the Sleeper Car"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Bustling Grand Central Station is our port of departure tonight as we board the Niagara Falls Dinner Train, with a brief layover in Bridal Veil. All the travelers are excited to grab a bite in the dinner car, then snuggle in their cozy sleeper car berths. Judging by the silk pajamas, pastel penoirs, and satin smoking jackets, we seem to have caught many passengers, such as Coral Best, museum curator, readying themselves for sleep. Why hasn't international jeweler, Victor Gold, come out to the dinner car? Between bites of chicken, his wife, Ruby Gold, is practically beside herself with worry. That must make showering very crowded! Perhaps she can find solace with charming detective, Greg Garnett? Wondering what's it all about is the newlywed couple from England, Alfie and Sheila Diamond, who only have eyes for each other. Equally oblivious to everyone but themselves and their mirrors are the disdainful sisters, Cynthia and Patricia Jewel, fashion models from New York City. With this group, there won't be much sleep tonight on the sleeper car!
"Blue Jean"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Want to be a movie star? Magnificent Studios from Hollywood, California has chosen Fremont, Nebraska as their locale for shooting the patriotic movie, "All-American Rose," starring the young starlet Jean Harlette, the heartthrob Grant Baker, and the aging, over-the-hill actress Carla Devine. Perhaps pompous director Cecil B. De Milo will conduct screen tests and let you audition for a bit part or a crowd scene filmed at the Fremont Hotel? You'll have many perks, such as enjoying the delectable meals prepared by caterer Elva Mussel, being made over by industrious make-up "artiste" Wanda Black, or sending local yokel EJ Ryan, the go-fer, on an errand for you. Girls, you may want to avoid casting director S. Lee Zeeman, who is rumored to make use of couches. And who is that young girl, Paige Turner, and why has she been seen lurking around the third floor of the Fremont Hotel?
"Casablanca Express"
By Cathy Nelson and Jim Ross
As you flee across war torn North Africa you have an appointment with murder. You may be a black marketer, a Nazi sympathizer, or at the mercy of both wondering how you'll ever escape Casablanca.
"Dead Air"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
The management and radio stars of radio station K.O.R.N., in Plainfield, Nebraska invite you to tune in to the "mighty 890" on your radio dial. Haven't you always wanted to meet the air personalities in person and put a face with a voice, so to speak? From the large amounts of fan mail he receives, it seems as if many of you women would like to meet the deep, velvet-voiced newscaster, Russell Papers. Lady Loverly, who has her own daily program, Lady Loverly's Chatter, claims that she get just as much fan mail. Station manager, Glenn Rhoten, is anxious to introduce you to long-time favorite, Cookie Krum, hostess of twice-daily homemaker programs. Also making a personal appearance will be amusing comedian Curly Bangs, inebriated announcer Mike Michaels, and gorgeous station secretary Georgia Bell. Try not to get downwind of the station janitor Morrie Grimes as he does some cleaning up--he should start by cleaning himself up! Try to figure out what Dailey Papers' new occupation is...
"Death Stinks"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Put your nose to the grindstone, so to speak and see if you can solve this stinker of a mystery set in the garment district of New York City. Baron Emil Schannel's perfume manufacturing plant, Olfactory, is the scene of this smelly deed. His widow, the Baroness Wilhelmina Schannel, has set her nose to find her husband's murderer. Her step-daughter, Coffee Schannel, seems to care little about her father's death, just as long as the money holds out. The essence of the story is this: there are many suspects for Detective D.O. Dorant to sniff out, including sleazy photographer Emmett A. Scent, nose-on-the-air snotty model Angelica Roma, faithful secretary Rose Sachet, and international playboy rival perfumer Schmelley O'Dor. Last, and certainly least to consider would be laboratory chemist Oscar Pugh, who would forget his nose if it wasn't attached. See if you can come out of this one smelling like a rose!
"Domestic Affairs"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Did you ever want to have a maid, and a cook, and a gardener, and a chauffeur? You might change your mind after meeting the domestic staff of Sylvia Teagarden, the Omaha "hostess with the mostess." Sylvia, wife of prominent banker, Merle Teagarden, is renowned in the best social circles for her charming garden teas held in her resplendent rose garden in the backyard of their magnificent mansion. A frequent guest is her best friend, society matron, Stella Snodgrass, who was just found snooping around the compost heap behind the potting shed by gardener Willis Rodgers. Count on cook Betty Burgundy to prepare a table of epicurean delicacies fit for society's elite. Sylvia's daughter, Traci, may make an appearance, that is if she's not out on a date with one of her bevy of boyfriends. Equally popular with the fellas is fetching maid Margie Smith who doesn't do windows. See if brooding Trevor Fairchild will take you for a spin around the block in the new Bentley. With this much domestic help, what could possibly go awry?
"Grave Situation"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
It was a dark and stormy night... No, really, it was windy, rainy, lots of lightning and thunder--what a night for a murder! High upon a hill overlooking the village of Krautgart, Germany, stands the Castle Von Pretzel, scene of the grizzly murder of the Baroness Lily Von Pretzel. Her funeral was just today: it was the social event of the season. Your host, Baron Ernst Von Pretzel, meticulous in his planning, had even had his wife's tombstone prepared several years ago, shortly after their marriage. And he didn't even ask her what she wanted on her tombstone! The castle is replete with suspects of questionable veracity: the celebrated palm reader Madame Florence Fortuna, the unctuous butler Carlton Brogue, the sassy maid Birgit Bratworst, and quack Professor Gene Pool and his creation, the abnormal Herr Monstehr. Casting a spell on the group is the local village witch, Miss Tica Spellman. You may need your crystal ball, Ouija board, and Tarot cards to help solve this one!
"Have a Holly Jolly Murder"
By Cathy Nelson and Jim Ross
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are holding Santa N. Claus as a material witness in the murder of an elf. The Mounties declared the Pole a crime scene and allowed Santa one phone call. He rang Mrs. Claus in Florida. She hired a couple of flaky gumshoes, Scrooge, and Marley. Their mission: shadow a suspicious elf.
"I Do, I Do, I Do..."
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Take a trip to 1942 and learn about handsome Heartland Pharmaceuticals traveling salesman Don Nova. He took a trip and has just been found dead in his blue company car on the Iowa side of the South Omaha Bridge Road. Had he just come from having the Blue Plate Special at Doug's Diner in Council Bluffs, or was he heading home to his Omaha apartment so his wife Gina could make him some of her famous "killer meatballs?" Don't count on much assistance from Don's best friend, John Pilsner, because he's usually drunk, and do you trust lawyers? Well, if you do, see what help you can get out of unseemly looking Lincoln lawyer Ronald A. Kolache. What is Judge Julia Justice of the Dodge County Court doing on the suspect list? The rest of the suspects are all women---hmn, wonder what they all have in common? Maybe Don had a deep, dark secret...?
"Ladies in Waiting"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Watch out for every time you didn't leave a tip for the waitress or complained too bitterly about your soggy pie--now the ladies in waiting may have their say! Come on in to the Hot Spot Cafe in the lobby of the Hot Springs Hotel. Local flatfoot Detective Dwight Durwood will sit in the corner booth and order his usual mincemeat pie and coffee as he tries to solve the death of Luke Payne, owner of the cafe. He is very suspicious of the widow, Gloria Payne--he doesn't know why, he just is! Then there's Luke's daughter Penny who'll put her two cents in. Don Frye, the cook, will throw his greasy apron into the mix with hard-working waitresses Carol Sharpe, Marsha Donner, and Sheila Butcher. Everyone would rather work somewhere else and Detective Durwood just has to find out how much they wanted it. What about the mysterious customer Chris Tullin, the wealthy hotel owner Curtis Crawford, and the drunk in the alley, EZ Streete? Can you help find the missing billfold? Who took $220.00 from the cash register? Who ate the last piece of pie?
"The Maltese Murders"
By Cathy Nelson and Jim Ross
You are riding the rails with dangerous characters who fanatically pursue an ancient objet d'art. Supposedly, the Falcon was smuggled out of the far east shortly before Japan conquered China. Someone said it was, "The stuff that dreams are made of." But are dreams made of murder and mayhem?
"Marriage is Murder"
By Cathy Nelson and Jim Ross
American industrialist Spencer Tracy is marrying off his only daughter to worthless playboy Micky Fisher. Do the top-secret Tracy gunsights used in the bombing runs over Berlin have anything to do with the spies with this damn war going on? Tune in.
"A Part to Die For"
By Cathy Nelson and Jim Ross
You've been sent on a casting call with a neurotic Hollywood director. Napoleon DeMille's last film was a flop. How did he finance this one? What about the mysterious deaths connected with his past productions? And why are there so many stars auditioning who claim to hate the director and swore that they would never work with him again?
"Pig 'O My Heart," or "Farmer Donald's Murder"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Sweat Falls, Nebraska, is the locale for this "tail" set on the Bobby Mc Donald pig farm. Whew, does it stink! You'll have to excuse the Donald family--stupidity must run in their "jeans", or as Mrs. Sally Ann Donald would say, "It must be generic." Try not to get a whiff of her children who aren't doing much better in the brain department. That would be her favorite son (she only has one) Buddy Ray Donald who seems to be allergic to baths and going to school, and daughter Velma Sue Donald, who earns extra money by being the soda jerk at Sweat Falls Drug Store/Soda Fountain. In this story of swine and roses, ladies, watch out for Jimmy Lee Hand, hired man for the Donald farm, who is renowned to like the Getaway Bar, corn liquor, knives, and women--perhaps not in that order. Wilber Edd and Mary Jay Corning are the neighbors to the west who live on a horse farm. Wilber Edd swears that his favorite horse, Mister, talks to him! Finally, like a breath of fresh air is Sally's church and quilting friend, Grace Bea Given, who thinks she's just a little holier than everyone else because she plays the church organ. Sheriff Calvin Tom Bonnard might even conduct a hog-calling contest, so BYOW---Bring Your Own Wits!
"Private Matters"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Don't be alone in Paris--welcome to the music and bright lights of the fun-filled Cabaret Noir, close to the Rue de la Seine Bridge. The can-can girls will be kicking up their heels and the German chanteuse, Hilda Garde, will be singing as Parisians are celebrating the end of World War II. As the Allied peacekeeping troops are occupying the city, all is going swimmingly until Le Monde paperboy, Guy Framboise, looks over the bridge through the fog into the waters below and sees a uniformed body floating in the river. Suspects abound from the drunken Private Wilson to the famous aviatrix Sandy Airfield and from shifty eyed importer RJ Porter to globe-trotting anthropologist/author Margaret Smead. Stick with the reporter "Scoop" Burton who seems to have a nose for news. The distinguished man drinking alone claims to be a professor of some type. Ask him why people seem to have code names and wear no labels in their clothing. Ask Nurse Debra Dagett about the young soldiers she has treated at Blade Memorial Hospital. Ask Hilda Garde to sing for you. Ask yourself who you think committed the dastardly deed.
"Pros and Cons"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Do you have enough ration coupons to buy gasoline and buy tires? Perhaps you have put your car up on blocks, or do you buy black market gas and tires on the sly? This is the world of the Speedee Filling Station, 24th and Castelar, in south Omaha, co-owned by Jack Daniels and John Walker, IV. Things get complicated when John is found dead face down in a barrel of used oil. His wife, Connie Walker, who has been in the Douglas County jail for stealing books of ration coupons and selling them, had just made a "clean break" (in the laundry truck). Is she hiding out in Hanscom Park or has she tried to get back to the Walker house to see her beloved daughter Brandy and her son, Johnnie Walker the Fifth? Will she hop a train and end up at the Fremont Dinner Train depot? She won't be wearing stars and stripes, just stripes! Along the way, you'll be sure to meet Tony Chianti, local loan shark, and his girlfriend, Lacey Underwood. Sheriff Bud Beerman will be there, as will be John's mother-in-law, Ginny Beveridge. I'm getting thirsty, how about you?
"The Reunion Murders"
Cathy Nelson and Jim Ross
A twenty-year class reunion also commemorates the mysterious death of Jean Harlow. Most of her classmates have lingering doubts about whether the hit and run was really an accident. Although the case is officially closed, Milton Harlow has no doubts, he believes his daughter was murdered and he demands justice.
"Who Killed Santa Claus"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
How time flies! Take the Santa Express to join Kris and Krystle Kringle at their compound at the North Pole where they will greet you warmly (unless you're a mutant elf) to share the joys of the holiday season. Which list are you on this year--naughty or nice? Santa and Mrs. Claus--their "stage names"--are passing time with many guests this season including Father Time from Greenwich, England, Lucky Leprechaun from Dublin, Ireland, and Cupid from Valentine, Nebraska. Family members are also present: daughter Holly, owner of Snowflake Software in Omaha, Nebraska and Santa's brother, Ken Kringle, from Winnipeg, Canada who utilizes some "unusual" business tactics in running his toy factory, such as paying his employees and selling his products! Christmas may not be Christmas this year, though, since reindeer caretaker, Elf Shorty Strawhacker reports that Rudolf has an unusually red nose. Also, militant Elf Sandy, head of the elf union, C.L.U.E., is threatening strike if elf demands aren't met. Already they get all the gruel they can eat from the gruel bar in the elf cafeteria---what more do they want?
"You Kent Take it With You" or "Death at the Manor"
By Holly Nielson, Class Act Productions
Are you superstitious? Are you a fan of Miss Jane Marple or Hercules Poirrot? Then get out your tweeds and tams and head to foreboding Kent Manor in southern Great Britain where young Ashley Ann Kent and her brother Lancaster Kent mourn the death of their father, Lord Rochester Kent. The officious butler, Carlton Brogue will cover all the mirrors in the manor and the ends of Penelope Penny's parlour-maid apron sashes will be knotted for good luck. Rabbits feet will be in abundance as the widow, Katherine Kent, tries to keep a stiff upper lip. Party guests have arrived for Lord Kent's forty-fifth birthday party, such as famous Dover shipping magnate Redfield Royal and his pretentious wife Rochelle. Have your palm read by legendary palmist Madame Florence Fortuna. Now all we need is a world-renowned crime solver to unexpectedly drop by.....