LOS ANGELES -- Devotees of dinner theatre have a smorgasbord of shows to choose from in southern California.
Nine different productions are in the offing -- everything from interactive theatre to murder mystery to Broadway musicals. Here is the menu:
My Fair Lady at Elizabeth Howard's Dinner Call Dinner Theatre, 690 El Camino Real, Tustin. Begins performances Feb. 19 for an open-ended run. The schedule is as follows: Tue.-Sat. dinner at 6:15 PM, performance at 8.15 PM; Sun. matinee brunch at 11:15 AM, perf. at 1:15 PM; Sun. evening dinner at 5 PM, performance at 7:15 PM. Tickets, $24.95- $35.95, include dinner, show and taxes but not gratuities. For reservations (which are a must), call (714) 838-1540.
All That Glitz and A Case of Medium Murder, Taix Restaurant, 1911 Sunset Blvd. Open-ended run. Participatory cabaret show. For schedule and tickets, $45-$55, call (310) 278-7712.
Arsenic and Old Lace, Granada Theatre, 18167 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. Joseph Kesselring's comedy about two eccentric and lethal sisters. Feb. 6-Mar 22. Regular schedule: Thu.-Fri. 8 PM (no dinner); Sat. 7 PM (dinner follows); Sun. 11:30 AM (brunch, then show); Sun. 5:30 PM (dinner follows). For reservations, $16.50-$29, call (818) 363-6887. Comedy Exotica, Primavera Restaurant, Velvet Room, 2138 Hillhurst Ave. Mark Graham portrays several characters in his "space-age vaudeville show." Mon. 8 PM. Open-ended run. With buffet dinner, $12; show only, $7. For reservations, call (213) 960-5570.
Joey & Maria's Comedy Italian Wedding, an interactive theatre event from Dillstar Productions. $49.50. Call for weekend times and venues in Studio City, Ontario, Anaheim and San Diego, (800) 944-JOEY.
Murder at the Cafe Noir, Mystery Cafe, Mezzanine Restaurant, 19800 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine. Participatory mystery. Fri. and Sat. at 8 PM. Open-ended run. For tickets, $49, call (714) 631-CLUE.
Murder By Night, Cat & Fiddle Pub and Restaurant, 6530 Sunset Blvd. Starmax Prods. participatory murder mystery. Fri. and Sat. evenings (call for times). Open-ended run. For schedule and tickets, $55, call (310) 278-7712.
Night Games, Shanghai Red's, 13813 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. Starmax Production's 'game show murder-mystery' with audience participation. The host is Earl Bowen. Fri.-Sat. Call for schedule. Open run. For times and tickets, $55, call (310) 278-7712.
The Unexpected Guest, Penthouse Theatre, Hilton Hotel, 21333 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance. Agatha Christie's thriller. Sun. only, call for times. Open-ended run. For tickets, $38, call (310) 522-0132.
-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent