Help Solve the Mystery at Curtain Call’s ‘Crab Cakes and Murder’

Cast Members Gabby Wade (L) and Carly Petrey (R) Rehearse in the Weeks Leading up to the Performance

Curtain Call Theatre for Children needs your help to solve the mystery of who killed Capt. Savage Raines, whose ship was mysteriously found wrecked at sea following the announcement of his retirement from his successful and sought-after fishing company. 

From Feb. 3 to 5 at the Curtain Call Studio, audience members are invited to participate and help solve the mystery behind “Crab Cakes and Murder,” the opening show to kick off the children’s theater’s 22nd season. 

This short and quirky show allows middle and high school students to put on a show together, said Curtain Call’s executive director Jeremy Leazenby-Bruce.

“It's a fun group; they have lots of energy. But being able to channel that energy into performing is the key task,” said Leazenby-Bruce. 

This hour-long show features a cast of 14 actors, ranging in age from 11 to 14 years old. The unique approach to finding out who killed Captain Savage Raines will include a packet of clues for audience members to look through with their neighbors. 

“Murder Mysteries are just fun,” said Leazenby-Bruce. “They get you thinking and engaged. And [the audience] have the opportunity to voice their opinions on who they think did it.”

Leazenby-Bruce has big plans for the 22nd season of Curtain Call. Some of those include growing not only as an organization, but also grow as leaders. 

Rehearsal - The cast of Crab Cakes and Murder practices at the Curtain Call Studio

Leazenby-Bruce and Curtain Call board member Eli Cooper were both accepted to the 2023 Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Series by the Community Foundation of Howard County. The six-week class provides instruction and guidance to nonprofit leaders in our community. 

“We’re hoping to gain that knowledge from those experts,” Leazenby-Bruce said. “I want this to be the turning point. We’ve worked so hard to rebuild the foundation. Now let’s start building and growing.”

On top of five planned shows and musicals in for 2023, he said, the group has hopes to dream even bigger this year.

“I’d really like to see us do some long-term planning. We have some lofty goals but I’d like to see some strategic plans to work towards those goals,” said Leazenby-Bruce. 

Tickets are on sale now for Crab Cakes and Murder. Click here to purchase tickets.