The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The Montana Actor’s Theater (MAT) will be holding its annual fundraising dinner theater event, Death By Chocolate, this Saturday, September 23rd at 5:30 PM in Havre. The evening will include dinner, a murder mystery, previews of the season’s shows, and dancing. The audience will have the opportunity to guess who the murderer is and win a prize.

The event theme is a play of the 80’s television series “The Love Boat: The Like you Very Much Ship.” Instead of the Pacific Princess, guests will board the “Mediterranean Madam” and enjoy a Mediterranean themed dinner, drinks, and onboard entertainment. Guests are encouraged to dress in their very best cruising gear, which includes anything from ball gowns and tuxedos to Hawaiian shirts. The theme is chosen by the staff of MAT, who strive “to give the audience an immersive experience based on the theme including decorations, food, and prizes themed to match.”

Death By Chocolate is the launch of the new season of shows for the Montana Actor’s Theater. Scenes from each of the shows in the season provide attendees a sense of what each of the shows in the coming season will be about. It has been a regular MAT event for around 15 years and began as a murder mystery fundraiser. The name is derived from the silent auction where chocolate based items were sold off throughout the evening. In recent years, the MAT has moved away from the silent auction, though they will be bringing back chocolate fountains this year.

The event raises money for MAT productions through raffles, sponsorships, and show producer auctions. The raffles will include 50/50 tickets, a themed booze basket, and a grand prize trip to Vegas (including airfare, hotel, and a show), a trip to a Montana Destination (like a Hot Springs Resort or skiing), a gift basket of cruise themed items, or nothing. The winner of the grand prize will receive one of these items based on the outcome of a luck-based game. Past luck-based games included plinko, spinning a prize wheel, and other games. The luck-based game is always a surprise. Guests looking to support the MAT can do so through events that range from a few dollars to several thousand dollars.

The funds raised at Death by Chocolate go toward the general operating budget for the MAT. Ticket sales don’t cover all of the expenses for the theater company. In addition to sets, costumes, and props, the theater needs funds to pay for the rights to perform shows, paying staff salaries, stipends for some crew members, travel expenses for the Dinner Theater show, and the Renaissance Fair in June.

Tickets to Death by Chocolate are available online at http://mtactors.com/tickets, or at the Havre Chamber, The Computer Center, Bear Paw Meats, and Company Apparel. Individual tickets are $50, with couples costing $90. Tables are available for between $750 and $1000.