If you aren’t ready for the sunshine of spring just yet, there are plenty of local thrills and chills to keep you immersed in winter’s shadow. From interactive murder mysteries to classic psychological dramas, Springfield has something to pique the interest of every suspense enthusiast.
The Dinner Detective
Murder-mystery dinner series
March 29, April 5, April 19, and April 26, 6-9 p.m.
Maldaner’s Restaurant, 222 S. Sixth St.
The Dinner Detective is North America’s largest interactive comedy, murder mystery dinner show and it’s now in Springfield. Be prepared to solve a hilarious crime while you feast on a delicious meal in the historical Maldaner’s restaurant. Chef and owner Michael Higgins was thrilled when the company approached him.
“It’s a lot of fun, provides steady Saturday night business and brings people to downtown Springfield,” he said. A murderous culprit secretly eats alongside dinner guests at the restaurant, a crime occurs, hidden clues are revealed and detectives help everyone crack the case. Attendees might even find themselves on the list of suspects.
Admission is limited to guests ages 15 and older and includes an interrogation reception, multi-course dinner, wait staff gratuity (beverage service and performer gratuity not included) and a prize package for the top sleuth who unmasks the killer. Dinner menu and tickets are available at www.thedinnerdetective.com/springfield.
Death of a Salesman
April 3-5 at 7:30 p.m., April 6 at 3 p.m.
Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.
Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, produced by Spencer Theater Company and directed by John Sivak, is one of the most well-known and successful American plays. Though not suspenseful in a traditional sense, the story builds tension through the performance of Willy Loman – the flawed main character whose tragic death is foretold, played by local theater legend Jim Leach.
Willy is already a ghost of himself when the show begins; his character abstract, confused and broken. He’s crumbled by the mistakes of his past and the capitalistic obsession of never having achieved the American Dream. Although Miller wrote this classic over 75 years ago, modern audiences will still empathize with Loman’s plight.
Leach said, “These are themes everyone can relate to. We all want to be successful, to be well-liked, but it’s how you define success and how you deal with things not turning out the way you planned – that’s what determines whether you come out on top,” he said. Tickets are available at hcfta.org or by calling 217-523-2787.
Next to Normal
April 4-6, April 11-13
Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.
Produced by Springfield Theatre Centre and directed by LaDonna Wilson and Sean Robb, this is an American rock musical delving into mental illness, modern psychiatry, grief and the dynamics of family secrets. At its center is Diana Goodman, played by Kinsey Peotter, whose illness and past haunt her and have repercussions for her entire family. One can’t truly summarize the show without spoiling it, but there are a number of shocking twists and turns that will leave audiences surprised and spellbound.
Wilson and Robb both felt drawn to the show and found it an important story to tell.
“The way mental illness can impact an entire family is huge, and denial and anger are so strong when seeing someone you love break from reality. We hope that discussing mental illness breaks the stigmas still associated with it,” said Wilson.
Tickets are available at hcfta.org/tickets or by calling 217-523-2787.
Red Carpet, Red Handed
Murder-mystery dinner fundraiser
Saturday, April 5, 5 p.m.
Inn at 835, 835 S. Second St.
Dress to impress, walk the red carpet, solve the mystery and make a difference. The Red Carpet, Red Handed fundraiser supports the mission of Kemmerer Village Foundation – a local organization providing education, residential placement, recreational activities and a range of other services to children and families in central Illinois.
Executive director Chelsea Wood shares how the funds will be used for campus operations: “We aim to give our kids stable adults in their lives. This means better salaries and benefits for our staff, many of whom who have been here well over 20 years.”
The Red Carpet, Red Handed show is produced by Pop-Up Productions, a company started by 17-year-old Austin Greenwood as part of Shelbyville High School’s CEO program.
“To be able to support his business and his dream is right at the core of what we stand for, supporting children and families since 1914,” said Wood.
Guests will be part of an interactive murder-mystery experience where they are placed in the center of a crime. Each dinner course provides clues to solve a murder. Entry fee includes a three-course meal and interactive show. Silent auction items, prizes for best-dressed and free professional photographs by CE Noel Photography will also be available. Tickets can be purchased at www.kemmerervillagefoundation.org/tickets.
Courtney Wick is active in the area theater scene. Most recently, she wrote and directed the murder-mystery comedy Nightmare at the Hot Mess Hair Salon, a follow-up to her previous production, Nightmare at the Sweet Dreams Inn.
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This article appears in Spring Guide 2025.
