Joe's Steakhouse offers second mystery dinner theater

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By Josette Keelor - jkeelor@nvdaily.com

WOODSTOCK -- Joe's Steakhouse in Woodstock has witnessed much improvisation within its walls in the two years since it opened. The steakhouse, which recently welcomed a new chef and plans to expand its business into Front Royal next week, also is home to a community theater group, whose actors are as diverse and mysterious as the roles they play.

The new play, "Meetings Can Be Murder," is based on the play "Dead 2 Rights," by Lee Mueller. Restaurant owner Joe Wobbe has changed the script to suit the actors who will perform in the show, the second mystery dinner so far, which will run Feb. 23-24 and March 2-3.

"Joe's improvising a fair amount," said Maud Shell, who plays Anne Stratton in the play, a shareholder of Archetypal Corp., which experiences some losses during the show.

Wobbe predicts that no two performances of the mystery theater will be the same, and he knows from experience, having offered the first mystery dinner theater at the restaurant last summer.

"I think it's pretty much an intuitive nature," he said of improvisation.

"The first one was awesome. ... It was a huge response," Wobbe said. "Each night it was different, and every night we had a great crowd."

Tickets are $25 for the special three-course meal and show, and already many upcoming performances are sold out, so Wobbe suggests buying tickets while they last.

"It's building momentum. ... Support is great."

Those involved in production hope to support a charity with each dinner event, said Lisa Mikitarian, who plays Inez B. Malloy, administrative assistant to the CEO of Archetypal.
"It's just really nice to continue that forward push," she said. "He'd like to do it quarterly," she added of Wobbe.

"I think part of the charm of community, of small theater like this, is you don't have to be polished," she said. "It just is enjoyable, not super stressful."

The new plot depicts a business meeting taking place at a restaurant. The meeting's agenda quickly unravels when executives learn that their host, Mr. Jones, has double-booked the meeting room, reserving it simultaneously to the Golden Guild Used Book Reading Circle. Amidst the confusion, accidents begin happening and before long, missteps lead to murder.

Some actors were in the first dinner theater at Joe's last July, but others will make their debut to the volunteer community theater this month. Most have acted at least a little, if only in high school.

Local author Jason Wright, who plays clueless president and CEO Gordon Mullens, did some acting years ago. So did Mikitarian, who teaches English as a Second Language at Triplett Tech, and Shell, a clerk at Shenandoah County Circuit Court.

They're volunteers, Wobbe said, but they still devote a lot of time and energy to the roles.
"There is somewhat of a commitment required," he said, explaining that they rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday nights for 2 1/2 hours in the weeks leading up to the show, and have more frequent rehearsals closer to opening night.

"What I like is that it does give adults a chance to play," said Mikitarian.

"It's fun, it's super fun and people who have never acted before are doing it and loving it," Wobbe said.

It also offers something different for the community, Mikitarian said.

"It's getting people out of their homes and interacting," she said.

"To get local characters and give them a forum to do some acting," is the concept, Wobbe said. He hopes to find others interested in helping with future plays.

"We care so much," he said -- so much that volunteers are willing to take time from their families to invest their evenings in the dinner theater.

"It's just so relaxed. You don't have to go to Winchester or Harrisonburg," Mikitarian said. "It's a great date night."

"Meetings Can Be Murder" will take place at Joe's Steakhouse, at 124 S. Main St. in Woodstock, from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 23-24 and March 2-3. Tickets are $25 per person. For tickets or more information call 459-5637.