Best Dinner Theater In DFW

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Dining and theater combined make for a fun-filled evening. One venue for both food and entertainment saves money, time and the hassle of parking at two different places. One of the best things about dinner theater is that you are part of the action. Here are a few places around town where you can dine and play under one roof.

Gunfights are what are in store for you at Texas Star Dinner Theater's current production of "Derailed and Departed." This western-themed whodunnit explores the death of a shady attorney and its questionable suspects. Not to give anything away, one should consider this hilarious, professionally performed comedy. A three-course meal is included in the price of a ticket plus there is a full cash bar. Casual or special dress is appropriate attire and the show is rated PG-13.

The action starts the moment you arrive at the Historic Old Mill Inn Restaurant at Fair Park. Light bites are served before a three-course dinner. The modern-day murder mystery is performed in a "Law And Order" television episode style, making everyone (including the guests) considered as suspects. Participation is highly encouraged and guests may take on an alias if they so desire. Shy guests need not to worry; they can easily be armchair detectives. This is a great date night out. The show is intended for adults and is not suited for children. The dress code is dressy to business casual with a tie and jacket optional.

Set in the center of downtown Dallas, the mysteries are based on actual cold cases. The fun of this murder mystery is figuring out if the person dining at your table is just another guest or a performer/murderer. Performers are not dressed in costume so you may interrogate them and they you while hors d'oeuvres are being passed. You can have a member of your party be a designated Prime Suspect without their knowledge when you make your reservation. In between the three dinner courses, additional clues are revealed that bring interesting twists to the plot. There is a prize awarded to the top sleuth that comes closest to solving the mystery. The performance is recommended for adults and because of the interactive nature of the show, no children under the age of 15 are allowed. A strict dress code is enforced of dressy or business casual.

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Not really in the mood for a murder mystery? Then you might want to consider Pocket Sandwich Theatre. The Pocket Sandwich Theatre is known for its hilarious twists on a theme. "Phantom of the Opera: The Melodrama," runs through November 15, and the audience gets to participate (and throw popcorn). "Ebenezer Scrooge" runs from November 28 through December 23, and is a Pocket Sandwich Theatre tradition, going on its 33rd year. Food and beverages are served 90 minutes before the performance.

From November 14-23, The Art Centre Theatre will present "Across the Known Universe." The hit from the spring line-up returns with a love story set in the '60s, and features revolutionary music from The Beatles and other familiar groups of the era. ACT will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fab Four's momentous U.S. landing, and invites the audience to participate in a "Raucous Singalong of Beatles' favorites at the end of each show." Art Centre also has showings in October of "The Addams Family" and "The Rocky Horror Show," and Christmas-themed shows in December and January.

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