ABOVE: The cast of the Red Rock Center for the Art’s upcoming murder mystery show gets into character before rehearsal Thursday night. From left: Mark Santelman, Georgie Pfaffinger, Jody Wetzler, Director Parl Warshauer, Becky Beenken, Carol Justice. Not pictured: Shawn Shoen, Corey Shoen.

FAIRMONT– The Red Rock Center for the Art’s 11th annual murder mystery dinner theatre will take place tonight and Saturday night in Fairmont. The original murder mystery is written and directed by Paul Warshauer and made up of local cast members.

Warshauer has written and directed each of the unique murder mysteries that have shown at the Red Rock. However, he’s written more than 450 original shows that have played all over the United States and even in other countries.

The show is very interactive with the audience, which both parties have traditionally enjoyed.

“It’s totally unscripted,” said cast member Georgie Pfaffinger of Fairmont. She added that it’s like playing the game “Clue.”

While the show plays both Friday and Saturday, there’s a different murderer, victim and weapon each night.

“So if you come both nights, you’ll have two different shows,” said cast member Carol Justice of Truman.

Warshauer said his shows are unique because he writes them for the specific venue.

Mark Santelman is a repeat cast member. He’s from the New Ulm area but has done over 30 shows with Warshauer over the years.

“He has trademarked lines that he always uses that are brilliant in and of itself. The plots are good, it’s a little bit of over-the-top theater.”

Each of the murder mysteries that Warshauer has written for the Red Rock have dealt with a different matter specific to Fairmont. A few years ago it was “The Town Center Controversy” and last year it was “Murder on Budd Lake.” This year’s show is: “Murder: The Magic Waters of Fairmont.”

While many of the cast members have done a show with Warshauer in the past, joining for the first time this year is Becky Beenken of Buffalo Center, Iowa. Repeat cast members explained why they keep coming back to take part in the unique show.

“It’s the endorphins. It’s exciting every time. I love seeing people smiling and having fun. That makes me want to come back and do it,” said Justice.

“There’s a lot of laughter. Even though we call it a murder mystery, it’s really a comedy,” said Warshauer.

Shawn Shoes, who has been involved in a number of productions in Fairmont over the years, said, “For me in particular, flying with much less script than I’m used to is very different and exciting.”

Red Rock’s director, Sonja Fortune, said the the show also includes a meal from Gerhardt’s Catering and a cash bar. A silent auction will also take place both nights of the show.

For all 11 years of the show it’s been a sell-out and this year is no exception.

“People need to put it on their calendar for next year and get their tickets early,” said Fortune.

Over the Covid years, in 2020 and 2021, the show still happened but fewer were allowed into the venue and the show took place in the summer months. This is the first year they’ve gone back to April.

“I think people know to look for it in April because it’s our spring fundraiser,” Fortune said.

The money from ticket sales funds the upcoming season of events including art classes, concerts and visual arts.

“One hundred precent of the proceeds go back into programming,” said Fortune.