The Dover-Sherborn Summer Drama program, in its 17th year, will present the hilarious, family-friendly interactive dinner theater show, “Who’s Dying to be a Millionaire” from August 13st - 24th at 6:30 pm at the Sherborn Community Center (SCC). Student actors from grade 6-12 will serve up this engaging whodunit along with a three course Texas BBQ catered by Zaftig's.
Set in New Old Plunketville, Texas in the mid-90's, the production centers around the live airing of a traveling game show. However, right before the million dollar question, the contestants keep dying. Is it the power hungry game show director? The egocentric host? The local mayor? Or one of the other many suspicious characters?
The audience will be treated as the live studio audience throughout the night and encouraged to interact with the cast as they play along to solve the mystery and possibly win a prize.
Since mid-July, students have been rehearsing the show, developing their characters, and learning the ins and outs of the Texas BBQ-themed menu: garden salad, Texas dry-rubbed chicken breast and barbecue pulled pork, cowboy caviar, potato salad, and coleslaw.
Director Scott Walker observed, “The dinner theaters are always fun for the audience because they get to be involved and interact directly with the cast. The dinner theaters are an incredible opportunity for the cast because they get to completely embody a character for hours at a time. There really isn’t another experience quite like it.”
Since the show is double-cast, students use improv to create original characters who wait tables and provide additional entertainment for the audience on their off nights.
“The summer show is a great opportunity to dive deeper into a character than you would in a typical scripted show. Improv work is actually one of the most entertaining parts of rehearsal. It allows you to strengthen your skills while simultaneously having a blast,” said student director and rising DS junior Jonah Brown.
Each summer students spend a day of rehearsal at the Garment District in Cambridge shopping for costume pieces to help them bring their characters to life. Rising DS senior Miranda Savla, who also student directs this summer’s show, shared her love for the Garment District trip.
“It’s a great tradition that really encourages the super free flow creativity and character building that summer theater is particularly good at fostering. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for kids across grades and friend groups to hang out together and enjoy independence, which is another unique strength of the DS Summer Drama program.”
Scott Walker, who also directs the annual Dover-Sherborn High School musical, has teamed up again this summer with Technical Director Jenifer Sunday to transform the Sherborn Community Center into the set of the wacky game show “Who’s Dying to be a Millionaire”. Parent and student volunteers from across the community support their work, coordinate with Zaftig's on the menu, and manage the pop-up restaurant nightly.
Judi Miller, a DS drama alum parent and volunteer restaurant coordinator encourages the larger community to join the audience. “Once again, the DS Drama Program is providing our community with the fun and entertaining experience of participating in murder mystery dinner theatre–great student actors, good food and a chance to reconnect with our community as summer draws to a close,“ she said.
Tickets are available at dsdrama.ludus.com. All tables and seats are reserved (no general admission), and seats are going quickly. Get yours today!
