Intrigue and Improv Headline at Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Show

Orlando's Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show is a one-of-a-kind and truly out-of-the-ordinary dinner show. Inconspicuously located in a former mini-mall on International Drive, Sleuths is an improvisational style show with lots of audience interaction.  Aimed towards an adult audience, the characters and are tongue-in-cheek caricatures leading revelers in a night of comedy and delicious food. 

Guests can begin their evening in the gift shop and lobby with appetizers. Here, the jovial Professor Plum meets with and entertains guests before escorting them to one of the three theaters Sleuths maintains. Each theater is elaborately decorated to give the air of a private banquet. Round tables, seating anywhere from 6-10, are set with salad waiting as groups of guests are brought in. Tables are set up throughout each theater with a variously set stage at one of the walls. The most guests that any of the three theaters seats is 250, so any evening at Sleuths is bound to be intimate.

The setting is not all that makes Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show in Orlando intimate. The performance of the actors in any of Sleuths' 13 rotating shows goes far beyond dinner-show expectations.  Genuine and always in character, the actors of Sleuths create a hilarious atmosphere as you try to solve the nights mystery. 

Inside the one of the three Sleuths theaters.  

During my visit, the show of the night was “G.K.’s 80th Birthday.”  The ensuing set up of the mystery takes about forty-five minutes.  Extravagant characters like Nurse Faber and Virginia Shuttleworth are introduced, and as the story unfolds, I enjoyed a crisp salad and could not get enough of the signature cheese spread and cracker plate.  Beverages such as Bud Light, Budweiser, White Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Cabernet and Pepsi products are also included with the price of the ticket.  The MC joked “they pour freely” at Sleuths, and indeed, unlimited beverages are included making for a lively atmosphere and even livelier question and answer segment! 

Once the plot of the mystery has been told, guests are asked to discuss with their table the mystery and come up with questions to ask the characters.  During this time, dinner is also served.  Four main dinner options are available, including glazed Cornish hen, lasagna with meatballs, lasagna (no meatballs), and prime rib.  I chose the lasagna with meatballs and was impressed by the quality and taste of the meal served.  The good-sized portion was cheesy and rich and the meatballs were well seasoned. 

As dinner is finished, the characters return for a round of questioning, conducted in turn by each table. This showcases the improvisation skills of the actors and brings out a lot of laughs. Note that the improv aspect and interaction with the crowd leads to a fair amount of adult humor but does not use any adult language, so it remains appropriate for young children. After questioning, guests are again left to have their dessert while pondering "Who did it?" and "With what?".   Dessert options included chocolate cake, key lime pie and strawberry shortcake.  The key lime pie was refreshing and had just enough bold key lime flavor. 

After dessert at the Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theater, the suspects – I mean characters – come out on stage and are questioned to admit guilt to the mystery crime.  One by one they are excluded until the real culprit is named.  The guess and reveal will have everyone anxious and excited, and for those who guess correctly there is a prize. 

Tips: The breaks in the show allow for time to use the restroom or step outside. Note that there is only one restroom in the theater so it is a good idea to use the one in the lobby. The show runs two and a half hours but do get there at least an hour before show time due to the prompt seating.