For tourists, there are two new ways to escape the mobs in the theme parks by heading to International Drive — and meeting the mob there.
In recent months, “The Speakeasy Murder & Other Acts of Prohibition” interactive dinner show has opened in the I-Drive tourist district, and Capone’s Dinner & Show has reopened there after a decades-long run down in Kissimmee.
Both shows revolve around mobsters, which had me wondering why that would be a popular vacation theme. Then I thought about waiting in endless theme-park lines, broiling in the heat, dodging reckless doublewide-stroller drivers, enduring the tantrums of your (and others’) children and realized… yeah, that could drive someone to thoughts of murder. Or at least a life of crime.
Despite the similar vibe — both take place in mobbed-up nightclubs during Prohibition, both require a password to enter the closely guarded door — there are plenty of differences between the two. On a surface level, “Speakeasy Murder” is set in New York, and Capone’s takes place in Chicago.
But both feature singing and dancing, audience interaction and broad comedy along with your food and drink. And, outside of what’s happening onstage, it’s important to note that both shows, along with Medieval Times and Pirates Dinner Adventure, play a vital part in Orlando’s entertainment ecosystem: These shows employ a multitude of performers, who also bring their talents to Central Florida’s traditional theaters.
That’s even more important now that Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show, which supplemented the income of countless Central Florida actors, has closed its doors.
Of course, the two questions people want to ask right away are: Is it worth the price? And did you have fun?
I never answer the first question, as how much people are willing to spend to entertain themselves is a personal decision. As for the second, yes, I absolutely had fun. But you have to go with the right expectations. If you’re looking for Shakespeare or a multimillion-dollar big Broadway musical, this isn’t it.
Capone’s Dinner and Show has a new location, a restaurant-theater at Dezerland on International Drive in Orlando. (Matthew J. Palm/Orlando Sentinel)
But if you enjoy some light-hearted laughs, some well-sung songs and a look at what makes tourist Orlando tick, you’ll find it among the merry machinations of these mobsters and their molls.
Here’s a more detailed look at the latest ways to mingle with I-Drive mobsters.
‘Speakeasy Murder’
The behind-the-scenes scoop: Erik Hastings, who co-wrote the show with Derek Cochran, directed it, and co-produces it with Gary Littman, told me he fell in love with the venue right away and knew it would be a good fit for the show. It started out just a couple of days a week back in June, but as its popularity has grown, the schedule has expanded to five days per week. For the next few weeks, the show will be holiday-themed.
Actor Kristi Geng — whom Orlando theatergoers know for her powerhouse performances — was one of the first performers he met here, and he calls her the “ringleader” of the cast.
There’s a lineup of suspects for the whodunit at the heart of the “Speakeasy Murder” show on International Drive. (Courtesy Speakeasy Murder Mystery Interactive Dinner Show)
The venue: Teatro Martini is, as Hastings pointed out, a really beautiful setting for the show. Sightlines appeared great from all the tables, and the nature of the stage lends itself to audience interaction. An anteroom has “gambling” tables for those who want to flirt with Lady Luck. (The money used to play is donated to charity.) Find it next to Pirates Dinner Adventure at 6400 Carrier Drive in Orlando.
The food and drink: There are plenty of options available, and my companion thought the chicken was delicious. We both enjoyed the Caesar salad, whipped potatoes and vegetables. I had an upgraded meal with salmon, deliciously flaky, for a slight additional charge. The dessert, though, didn’t pass muster: A rather dry brownie. The servers here are not part of the show.
The show: Geng plays Miss Meadowlark, who runs an underground jazz club inhabited by shady types. She has a great presence, and her co-stars also fill their roles with aplomb (though I pitied the actor playing a conductor waving his hands at the imaginary audience).
There is the right amount of audience banter; these actors are pros at including people — even showing their improv skills with kids — while still keeping the show moving along. On the flip side, the script feels a bit repetitive at times, a necessity perhaps when you are trying to make time to serve dinner to a room full of people. It is, however, laced with humor.
The stage setup of Teatro Martini lends itself to interaction between the performers and the audience in the “Speakeasy Murder” dinner show. (Courtesy Speakeasy Murder Mystery Interactive Dinner Show)
The murder is set up well, a la Agatha Christie, with a stage full of suspects. But you don’t have to worry about following the clues too closely, as the audience will ultimately choose the culprit, and the story wraps up accordingly with a snappy ending.
The price: The “rack rate” is $86 for adults, but you can find various discounts on sites such as Groupon or the show’s own site. Cocktails were good and reasonably priced at $15 (mocktails for $5). Appetizers are for sale, as well. You can also purchase props packages (with a feather boa for the ladies, a boutonniere for the men); we had fun interacting with the “cigarette girl” selling the merchandise.
More information: speakeasymurder.com
Miss Jewel (Lauren Morrison) is exasperated by Bugs (Jake Aboyoun) at the Nov. 16 performance of Capone’s Dinner & Show in Orlando. (Matthew J. Palm/Orlando Sentinel)
Capone’s Dinner & Show
The behind-the-scenes scoop: Show director Billy Flanigan, the veteran Disney performer, told me he is still tweaking the show, which has evolved through several scripts over the years. One thing he has worked on, especially with a proper stage at the new location, is upping the dance numbers. To that end, former Rockette and Disney choreographer Joy Anderson has staged the tap numbers.
The venue: Unusual for a dinner show, the handsome venue is divided into two distinct sections: A restaurant-style area for eating, and a traditional theater setup with rows of padded seats and a raised stage. Guests eat first, then watch the show. Waiters — who are in character the entire time — will bring you drinks to your seats. Find the venue at Dezerland Park, 5250 International Drive in Orlando.
The food and drink: Appetizers are included in this Italian meal — I had standard mozzarella sticks — which also come with salad. There are a ton of choices, everything from hot entrees to sandwiches to pizza. My pasta with ground sausage was fine, but it needed a thicker sauce to stick to the noodles. Dessert was the star: A tasty iced apple pastry.
The show: The Capone’s show is played more broadly for laughs, down to a balloon-bosomed drag bit. Here, Miss Jewel is the host of the shenanigans, played at my performance with commanding presence by Lauren Morrison. I recognized Jake Aboyoun from his work in local theaters as mobster Bugs a role that calls for him to use his comic skill to generate more laughs than scares.
The rivalry between Bugs and Fingers (Jake Aboyoun, left, and Lee Markham) is the main thrust of the storyline at Capone’s Dinner & Show in Orlando. (Matthew J. Palm/Orlando Sentinel)
The tap dancing is a highlight of the show, which remakes familiar tunes, like “Roxie” and “Cell Block Tango” from “Chicago,” to fit its storyline — a plot that owes a debt to “Guys and Dolls” and could use a more exciting finale.
The price: The Capone’s website values an adult ticket at $93.99, but has the price currently reduced to $46.99. Beer, wine and well liquor are included in the price. For an extra charge, there’s a VIP room available with casino-style games.
More information: alcapones.com
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