The History
Keyhole Mystery Theater was founded by Lisa Murphy-Collins, Bill
Collins, Buzz Halsing, and Steve Wilner in 1993 when the four
professional entertainers and producers decided to put on a show that
met their high standards of quality entertainment.
The premier KMT show "Fishy Chips" was performed at the Mayflower Pub
& Grill, in San Rafael, California to packed houses. KMT
productions are unique in that they meld together the energy and talent
of a broadway musical with the interaction and intrigue of murder
mystery dinner theater.
Each script features a specific theme and setting, high energy musical
numbers, original murder mystery plots, and lots of opportunity for
guests to "get in the act". KMT takes great care NOT to embarass or
involve anyone who clearly doesn't want the attention - so guests can
just relax and enjoy the show if they prefer.
***
Keyhole Mystery Theater performs
"light and up-beat" musical comedy audience participation mystery shows for parties and events.
Keyhole Mystery Theater interactive musical comedy murder mystery
productions meld together the energy and talent of a Broadway staged
musical with the interaction and intrigue of murder mystery
dinner-theater. Each script features a specific theme and setting, high
energy musical numbers, original murder mystery plots, and lots of
opportunity for guests to "get in the act".
KMT takes great care NOT to embarass or involve anyone who clearly
doesn't want the attention - so guests can just relax and enjoy the
show if they prefer. Most shows are personalized for the group or
occasion, but we will write a special custom show and /or completely
adapt one of our scripts especially for you and your guests.
Showtime Length
Total showtime is 2 to 3 hours. Beginning with a mingling period,
followed by a 2 act musical comedy mystery show performed during the
serving of the meal. Times vary due to ad-libs and audience interaction.
Show List
Murder at Big Jake's
Avalanche of Murder
Beware the Shamrock
Club Dead -The Last Resort
A Dark & Stormy Night
Dead to the Last Drop
Doo Wop 'Til You Die
Fins or Foes
Fishy Chips
Masquerade Murders
Murder Afloat
Murder in Morocco
Murder on the Mississippi
Treasure of the Sierra Padre
Twist O' Fagan
Murder By A Neck
The Actors
Keyhole Mystery features professional singers and actors from Broadway
to Hollywood, television, feature films, and nightclubs, performing
original scripts with memorable old and new hit songs.
FYI: Guests may be asked to "be a character" in the show. They will not
be required to "learn lines", but are asked to respond to questions and
situations. IMPORTANT! We NEVER embarass anyone, nor force a guest to
do anything they choose not to do.
David Abad:
Has worked around the San Francisco Bay Area as a performer with Entree
to Murder, California Theatre Wing, George Coates Performance Works,
Antenna Theatre, Solano Repertory Company, the Mountain Play, and the
New Conservatory Theatre, where he played the Fox in The Little Prince.
‘Vid can also be seen on home computer screens as the Royal
Chamberlain in the Maxis CD-ROM game The Crystal Skull, starring Edward
James Olmos. Recently performed “The Geni” role in Cinnabar
production of “The Perfect Ganesh”. He has performed in two
KMT productions.
Peter Arcuri:
Has performed in Sonoma County theater groups and has put his New York
accent and Bronx dialect expertise to good use in the premier
production of "Club Dead…the LAST RESORT".
Mark Amacker:
Has been playing piano for 13 years. He studied with Conica Patniak,
was assistant director to his father, Rick Amacker, for Ducktails and
Bobbysocks at Foothill High School, and was accompanist for his high
school youth group. His theatrical credits include Tom (the mute
singing ranger) in Little Mary Sunshine, Eugene Florcyzyck,in Grease,
and Captian Gerog Von Trapp in Sound of Music. He also danced ballet at
Redding City Ballet for four years, two years as a company member,
performing numerous roles in Nutcracker, Gaite Parisienne, Red, Shades
of Grey, and Lady of Shallot as well as Sleeping Beauty with Chico
Community Ballet.
Tom Atkin:
Comes from a very musical family and has studied piano since childhood.
He started playing with bands at the age of 15, and seven years ago
founded “The Tomcats” a 50's and 60's boogie band who are
still going strong. A graduate of the John Casablanca acting school,
his credits include being an extra in Coppola's movie Jack, and five
characters in the musical Some Like It Hot. He has performed in five
KMT productions.
Doug Boyd:
A commercial jingle singer and voice of many talents, including a "GONG
SHOW" contestant winner. He has appeared both on and off screen, as a
television & industrial commercial actor and spokesperson. Doug has
appeared in three KMT productions.
Kevin Brooks:
One of the first actors to work with KMT and has performed in four KMT
productions, in addition to co-writing and starring in many Mayflower
Chorus productions. Kevin was an emcee and a regular of the Mayflower
Pub "open-mic" nights. He is an avid vintage book collector.
Lauralee Brown:
A singer/songwriter who has studied voice since 1983. Her vocal
versatility, which includes pop, rock, blues, standards, and cabaret,
has earned her many accolades from a number of well-known artists with
whom she has performed.Over the years she has been active in performing
including children’s theater. Also a singer/songwriter, Lauralee
has performed with many bands since the early 80’s. Currently she
sings in the eclectic folk-rock group “Reeking Havoc” and
very recently joined the North Bay country group “Moonlight
Rodeo”. She has performed in three KMT productions.
Cambria Burk:
Cambria first discovered her love for acting in Junior High when she
played “Jo” in Little Women. Cambria graduated from Shasta
High School in 2002, but while she was there she actively participated
in the music program and was in the a cappella and Madrigal choirs. Her
more recent roles included a minor lead in 42nd Street and she was the
Queen of the Shasta High Madrigal Dinner. Since she graduated she
played the part of Mona in the Riverfront Playhouse production, A
Little Christmas Spirit. Cambria is thrilled to be participating in her
first murder mystery theater.
Bill Collins:
KMT Co-founder, writer, producer, director, Mr. Collins has been a
commercial jingle singer since 1963, remember “two all beef
patties special sauce lettuce cheese - pickles onions on
a-sesameseedbun”? Mr. Collins has made hundreds of commercials
for clients like Levi’s, Visa, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and
appeared in and contracted looping sessions for major movies such as:
Lucasfilms "Willow" and "Tucker". Industrial composer for Apple,
Tandem, United Vintners & Shaklee, recording artist (Warner Bros.,
A&M, Infinity), and nightclub entertainer (Hungry-i, Purple Onion,
Troubadour, Ice House). Leading roles in Oklahoma, Music Man,
Rainmaker, Annie Get Your Gun, South Pacific, Man Who Came to Dinner,
Die Fledermaus, Hello, Marin Hello, and A Funny Thing Happened On The
Way To The Forum.
Chris Collins:
Is a member of the Shana Morrison band (new CD on Vanguard records available 2002), and Wake (wakemusic.com).
Chris teaches guitar and piano to students of all ages (contact
information at the Magic Flute in San Rafael). Chris has been in seven
mysteries, and starred as the Grim Reaper in "Masquerade Murders"!
Lisa Murphy Collins: One of the founding members of Keyhole Mystery
Theater, Ms. Collins has enjoyed playing character roles of all sorts,
including Ado Annie, Mrs. Peru, The Wicked Witch, Lucy, and Adelaide in
musical theater productions since 1975. She has also performed with
vocal groups “Three Sheets To The Wind”, the Mayflower
Chorus, and is the founder of the Harmony Sweepstakes National A
Cappella Festival. Currently writes and produces Keyhole Mysteries with
husband, Bill.
Robert A. Collins:
Is a composer and songwriter from Ventura, California. He made his
stage debut at age ten in a collegiate production of Jean Kerr's
Finishing Touches and has been performing ever since. Prior credits
include supporting roles in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Music
Man, You Can't Take It With You, and The Crucible. A graduate of U. C.
Berkeley with a degree in Music Composition, he resides in San
Francisco with his two cats Benson and Crocker.
John DeGaetano:
Has appeared in numerous Sonoma county theatrical productions and has
performed in two KMT productions. He works for a Fortune 500 company,
in the Sonoma County area.
Karen Devaney:
Has performed in two KMT productions, in addition to co-writing and
starring in a Christmas time special at the Rohnert Park Spreckles
Center. She teaches aerobic dance, and is a registered nurse and
medical care specialist.
Victoria D’Orazi:
Received her dramatic training at the College of Marin from 1968 - 1971
performing in such productions as West Side Story, The Birds, House of
Atreus, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In 1968 she played Lucy to
Robin Williams’ Snoopy in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.
She also performed in the San Francisco productions of One Flew Over
the Cuckoo’s Nest and The Rocky Horror Show. In 1980 she
performed the voice of Betty Boop in the animated feature film Hurrah
for Betty Boop, starring Tommy Smothers. Many Marin families have seen
Victoria in such Mountain Play performances as Peter in Peter Pan,
Annie in Annie Get Your Gun, and Ado Annie in Oklahoma! She has also
performed comedy at the Improvisation Theatre in Los Angeles. More
recently Victoria has been writing songs and singing in a Christian
Rock Band called “Pruned”, and has been recently cast in a
principal role for an original musical which will be performed in San
Francisco at the Corner Stone Church in April of 2003. She has
performed in the last two KMT productions, since coming on board in
1997. Her beautiful, but powerful singing voice and zany antics are a
joy to behold!
Samantha R. Fork:
Samantha has been a part of Redding’s theater scene since she was
eleven years old. Involved in all aspects of Community Theater, she
considers her directorial debut A Streetcar Named Desire in 1997 to be
her most crowning achievement. She is also very proud to say she is one
of the original members of the Redding Improv Players. This is her
second appearance with Keyhole Mystery after creating the roles of Ma
Bell and E.A. Poe in Murder at Big Jake’s. When she’s not
busy figuring out whodunit or making you laugh, you can usually find
her singing and dancing in the aisles doing her real job, at Sears.
Toni Fowler:
Toni has been acting since the third grade, and following a short
hiatus after high school, came back full force in 1999 when she joined
the Riverfront Playhouse with their production of Harvey as Mrs.
Chauveneautt. From there she went on to numerous principal roles from
the Glass Menagerie to directing Broadway Bound. On nights that you
don't see her dressed in costume for whatever play she is doing at that
time you can also find her on the Redding Improv Players stage making
people laugh till they cry.
Norman A. Hall:
Has performed throughout the bay area and has had lead roles in
musicals and dramas. He began his acting career as a child actor in the
New York Broadway production of "South Pacific", starring Mary Martin.
He has been seen as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, Sheridan
Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner, the Major General in The
Pirates of Penzance, Ko-Ko in The Mikado, and Sir Joseph Porter in
H.M.S. Pinafore. He just received a third nomination for best featured
actor in a musical by the Bay Area Theatre Critics’ Circle for
the role of Alfie Doolittle in the Mountain Play’s production of
My Fair Lady. Norman has performed in three KMT productions with an
unparalleled flair.
Shirley Nilsen Hall:
Recently seen as Joanne in the Santa Rosa Players production of
Company, Ms. Nilsen Hall has been performing in the bay area for many
years. Some of her favorite roles include Reno Sweeney in Anything
Goes, Velma Kelly in Chicago, Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street, Phyllis in
Follies, Sister Mary Hubert in Nunsense, Truvy in Steel Magnolias, and
Grace in Bus Stop. Shirley is pleased to be doing her 5th show with
Keyhole Mystery Theater. Her dry and somber, but razor sharp wit adds
to the fun of every KMT show we are blessed to have her in.
Buzz Halsing:
An original founder of Keyhole Mystery Theater, Buzz has been a
performer of musical theater, musician, composer, and musical/artistic
director of various community chorus and theater groups. Buzz has
directed musicals for the San Anselmo Town Players since 2001, and has
been seen on stage in 2005's "Oklahoma" Mountain Play, Marin's own "For
Whom the Bridge Tolls," and most recently in Novato Theater Company's
production of "Inherit the Wind" (October 2005). Buzz continues
to act, direct, sing and produce theater and musical production in the
Bay Area, and he may be contacted "buzz@halsing.com" for bookings.
Jan Jackson:
Has performed in the KMT production "Beware of the Shamrock", and has
been a featured soloist with many Marin County choruses, including the
Mayflower Chorus.
Bethe Jensen:
Ms. Jensen studied theater and music at College of Marin and San
Francisco City College. Prior to her work with KMT, she appeared in
several “Mountain Plays” including South Pacific, Peter Pan
and Fiddler on the Roof. She also appeared in Marin Civic Light
Opera’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and
College of Marin’s Nicholas Nickleby. Ms. Jensen started
performing with KMT initially as an understudy for their first
production, Fishy Chips. Since then she has appeared in ten other
mysteries.
Tammy Jones:
Tammy first became active in Redding's community theater scene in 1990,
acting in the musical, Damn Yankees as Gloria Thorpe. From that moment
on she was hooked! Since then, Tammy has remained active in many
different roles. Some of her favorites include; Sister Hubert,
Nunsense, Judith Bliss, Hayfever, Amos Crutchwaffle, Bad Day at
Gopher's Breath, Mother, Hair, and Dottey Ottley, Noises Off. For the
past four and a half years, Tammy has been singing in the local a
cappella group, "Women Who Sing". She is thrilled to be performing in
her first murder mystery theater.
Jonathan Kesser:
Leading roles in productions such as Oklahoma, Man of La Mancha and
Dangerous Liaisons have led to diverse acting opportunities for Mr.
Kesser. A KMT favorite (this is his fifth production), he is also
active in radio and T.V. commercials as an actor and voice over talent.
His weekly variety show “The Entertainment Zone” aired for
two years on the Northern California Radio Network, and was featured on
CNN World News. He also appeared on the Internet for six months as
“Zed Wolf” in the world’s first interactive soap
opera, “Ferndale”. He has appeared in four KMT productions.
Tom Kirschman:
Tom has been involved in theater and music ever since he joined the
acappella choir in college. The undertaker in Mr. Scrooge was his first
acting role. Since then, Tom has acted in various roles ranging from
adying 80-year-old man to “Nick” in A Little Christmas
Spirit. This is Tom’s first role with Keyhole Mystery Theater and
his first role as a gangsta!
David McCormick:
David has been in three KMT productions to date, Marshall Monty Hall in
Treasure of the Sierra Padre, Andre Bordeaux in Dead to the Last Drop
and Pretty Boy McCormick in Murder at Big Jake’s. He has
performed in a vast array of roles in productions at Shasta College,
Riverfront Playhouse, and also performs with the sensational Redding
Improv Players. His resume' includes leading roles in productions such
as West Side Story, The Tempest, Beauty and the Beast, The Madness of
King George III., and proved his "versatility" as Dr. Frankenfurter in
The Rocky Horror Show. An aspiring actor, David is a student at Chico
State and is pursuing a degree in acting.
Dave Miller:
A writer, producer, and performer at Six Flags Marine World, Mr. Miller
manages the Show Productions department. He just finished a run as
Lostin Powers in the very well received Super Spooky Sea Lion Show. One
half of the soon-to-be famous comedy team of Ward and Dave, he got his
start in musical theater on what is now the Western Stage, performing
as Charlie Brown in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown and as
Stephen in Godspell. He has done a variety of voice-overs for local
organizations and is fortunate to study with Cliff Osmond in the City.
He was a member of the audience for the very first Keyhole Mystery
performance and is very thankful now to be a member of the cast because
it’s much easier to figure out “whodunit” with his
script! He has appeared in all but one KMT production. Visit Dave's
award-winning online duo-comedy show at:
http://www.DaveandWard.com
Barry Nicol:
One of the newest Keyhole Mystery Theater cast-members, Mr.
Nicol’s theatrical credits include three consecutive Mountain
Play performances: The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma! and The Music Man. He
has also performed in various Shakespeare productions including The
Taming of the Shrew in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Matt Peebles:
One-Eyed Jack in Treasure of the Sierra Padre, and Fingers Dafud in
Murder at Big Jake’s, Matt is a graduate of Enterprise High
School and Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, Matt started playing
the piano at age 5 and loves performing in a variety of musical styles.
He and his wife of 21 months are piano teachers in Cottonwood, and hope
to soon be doing ethnomusicology linguistics and literacy with Wycliffe
Bible Translators in a developing country yet to be decided.
Joe Peer:
With more than twenty years experience as an actor and musician, Joe
has had the good fortune to work in feature film, television and radio.
He has toured the country as well as playing a wide variety of stage
roles, from Shakespeare to over the top comedies. Dead to the Last Drop
marks Mr. Peer’s ninth production with Keyhole Mystery Theater.
When not acting you can find him playing percussion with his jazz band,
“The Shelly Jae Group.”
Russell Piette:
Russell has been in three KMT productions, but has played 5 roles
– a mystery in itself! He has performed in over 30 stage
productions at the Riverfront Playhouse in roles such as: Stanley in A
Streetcar Named Desire, George from Same Time, Next Year, and his
favorite character, Sidney from Neil Simon’s God’s
Favorite. Russell has also directed a couple of plays: The Glass
Menagerie and Dickens – A Christmas Carol (A farce in two acts)
and will be directing Misery at the Riverfront Playhouse in September.
He has also been the co-director of the Redding Improv Players for the
past three years. When not performing onstage, he is acting like a
mechanic at KMS.
Maya Pruett:
Maya’s been having some very important lunches lately and
she’s been exposing herself as much as possible. She’s sure
a contract is right around the corner if not down the block. Do you
remember the award winning movie Forest Gump? She wasn’t in it
but she gave it two thumbs up. She calls the theater her home and has
had some minor successes in film and television though she has come to
the conclusion that comedy may be her real talent.
Jacki Rivero:
Appeared in the very first KMT production, "Fishy Chips", and is a
regular soloist and pianist with the Mayflower Chorus, in Marin County.
Sean Sampson:
Is a zany and twisted member of the Redding Improv Players a
non-profit and delightfully funny improv group similar to the "Whose
Line Is It Anyway?" television show. His first KMT show was "Club
Dead" and "Masquerade Murders" both at CR Gibbs in Redding, La Mystique
for the American Heart Association fundraisers in 2003 and 2004. His
most recent KMT show was the "Dead To The Last Drop" production for
WinRiver Casino, 2005.
Christine Staples:
Has starred in two KMT productions, "Something's Brewing in the Boiler
Room" and "Fishy Chips". She continues her voice studies and performs
throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Nicholas Sebastian Stokeld:
"Avalanche of Murder" was Nick’s first performance with KMT and
we are delighted to welcome him aboard! Mr. Stokeld studied theater
arts, acting and A.S.L. at Santa Rosa J.C. He has been a model for
Maudes Vintage fashion and done a professional stint in a San Rafael
studio. Mr. Stokeld has played many roles at the Old Vic dinner theater
in Santa Rosa, spoofing such characters as the young Mr. Bailey in
“It’s a Wonderful Pint”, Data in “The Planet of
Dead Rock Stars”, Double 0000zzzzzz7 in “Live and Let
Diet”, and Mr. Humphries in “Are You Being Served?”
He appeared in Wes Cravens’ horror film: “Scream”.
Dean Williams:
Has been in some local favorites such as Peter Pan, Charley's Aunt,
Arsenic and Old Lace, Harvey, Art, and The Madness of George III. He
has most recently directed The Mousetrap at Riverfront Playhouse. Dean
reminds diners that Murder is best served with a good Merlot or Pinot
Noir.
Steve Wilner:
Is proud to be counted as one of the founders of the Keyhole Mystery
Theatre company and is delighted to be back on the KMT stage. Steve has
been performing for over 25 years throughout the Bay Area, with a heavy
emphasis in musical theatre. Recent performance credits include Billy
Crocker in Anything Goes at Amador Theatre with Pleasanton Playhouse,
Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, Tommy Albright in Brigadoon, Vernon in
They're Playing Our Song, Joe in Sugar (his favorite role), and Billy
in 42nd Street. He has also appeared in A Funny Thing Happened on the
Way to the Forum, No No Nanette, Cabaret, and Our Town. In addition, he
has performed with area choral groups, dinner theatre companies, and
dance troupes. Steve holds an MBA from the University of Santa Clara,
is in sales for a Fortune 500 company, and makes his home in Dublin,
where he is the proud father of Josh and Zack (ask to see pictures of
the boys, they are always at the ready). He has appeared in five KMT
productions, but his inspiration is with us at EVERY SHOW!
Alan Young:
Learned to play piano before he could ride a bike. In 1969 he got his
first steady job accompanying modern dance classes, where he learned
(by the sink-or-swim method) to improvise in many styles. Since moving
to the wine country in 1980, Alan has performed as an accompanist for
the SRJC jazz choir, the Ukiah Civic Light Opera, and local productions
of "Oliver," "Bye Bye Birdie," and "Kiss Me, Kate." Alan has taught
improvisation at Sonoma State University as well as private piano
classes. He is currently touring the world entertaining cruise ship
guests with his broad pop, blues and show tune repertoire.
Past Audiences
Abbott Labs Pharmaceuticals
Autodesk
Bank of America
Campbells Flooring
ConeTech Inc.
Diablo A's
Fidelity Investments
Freeman & Freeman Attornies
Hewlett Packard
Lathrop Corporation
Mahoney Architects
Multimedia Live Internet
Parkpoint Health Clubs
Petaluma Women's Club
Progressive Insurance
Shasta Remodeling Company
Locations
San Francisco, Redding, Napa, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Marin, Alamo,
Oakland, Berkeley, Glen Ellen, Calistoga, San Jose, Healdsburg,
Hopland, San Rafael, St. Helena, Greenbrae, Sausalito, Rancho Cordova, Fairfield, & Petaluma
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