There’s something for fans of Prince, Cinderella, Lady Ella and even amateur sleuths during Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts’ 19th performance season.
The season begins Sept. 21 with a Masquerade Murder Mystery, one of six experiences in a new adults-only venue with cabaret-style entertainment and a restaurant billed as “crafted from the palette’s palate.”
The opening evening includes a plated dinner, two beverage tickets and, yes, audience participation in a murder mystery. Costumes are encouraged.
“When we had the last one, people really went all out in costume, so we’re hoping they’ll do the same thing this year,” said Rick Byrd, the center’s creative director.
The new dining venue - Downstairs at the Café - seats up to 145 guests. The Birdsong Theater upstairs has a capacity of 500.
The season’s first show on the main stage will be “The Purple Piano,” on Sept. 27, with Marshall Charloff presenting the one-man show he has performed as a Las Vegas residency, paying tribute to Prince.
The show channels Prince’s final tour, the 2016 “Piano and a Microphone” set when he played his most popular hits in solo arrangements for intimate venues. The interactive evening is a chance to party like it’s 1999.
“His show toured the world to sellout audiences, and we hope we can do the same thing,” Byrd said.
Other Downstairs at the Café shows are: “The Copper Piano Presents Dueling Pianos” (Nov. 23), a “Sweetheart Dinner Dance” (Feb. 14), “’Til Death Us Do Part Murder Mystery” (March 8), “A Night of Jazz and Martinis” (April 12) and “Comedy Times Three” (June 14).
Patrons can choose from packages that include dinner before the show or hors d’oeuvres, another new addition this season. Arts Kitchen, the renovated restaurant onsite serving upscale Americana with a twist, is under the direction of Chef Ed Beardsley, owner of The Mod Olive.
The kids are invited to share lunch with the characters before the Oct. 19 matinee performance of “Cinderella,” the full Rodgers & Hammerstein musical. The event includes a costume contest with the winner receiving the Glass Slipper Award.
Ushering in the holiday season: “Masters of Soul: A Motown Christmas” on Dec. 21, followed by the return of house favorite cover band Vinyl Radio, Chuckatuck native (and current Nashville resident) Tim Buppert on vocals and drums. The band specializes in the legendary tunes from the ’70s, with music from The Eagles, Boston, Styx, Queen and more.
Buppert grew up seeing those bands at Hampton Coliseum, Scope and Chrysler Hall and remembers the excitement of buying a new album and reading every word of the liner notes.
“The music takes me back to my teenage years,” he said. “When people come to see us, it’s like going to 10 concerts in one night.”
The new year features another matinee for the kids, the Hurrah Players production of “Frozen Jr.” on March 15, and a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald on April 25, the 107th anniversary of the First Lady of Song’s birth in Newport News.
“We are going to have a birthday celebration,” Byrd promised.
Amanda King, who has earned the title of “Las Vegas’ Queen of Swing,” plays Fitzgerald.
Find tickets and information at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.
