La Strada Ensemble Theater to Present MURDER ON THE PARADISE LINE, by Young Local Playwright

La Strada Ensemble Theater of Monmouth County (whose most recent festival, CHANCE, enjoyed great acclaim in Manhattan in March) is "all aboard" with their very first dinner theater experience... Murder on the Paradise Line.

"Murder" (written by La Strada "veteran", 21 year old Brick resident, Dennis Gribben) offers theater-goers the rare taste of mystery... heavily sprinkled with laughs.

Gribben has created something truly unique in "Murder on the Paradise Line" - a Two Act comedy about a murder mystery on a train. His characters are rich and outlandish, fast talking and familiar (in a 1940s screwball comedy fashion) but the show itself is utterly one-of-a-kind.

Opening at La Strada's "homebase" on Mother's Day weekend (the second floor of the Asbury Park restaurant, BANK on Mattison), "Paradise" is a perfect pairing of delicious fare and fabulous farce. Each audience member will enjoy a sumptuous meal pre-show and dessert and coffee at intermission... and, on Mother's Day, BANK will be providing Mom a delightful brunch... complete with champagne and a rose.

The show itself is set in the dining car of the economically failing Paradise Line - a once beloved entertainment excursion train which has fallen on hard times. The audience is introduced to Monty Marmamilton and his business partner Robertson whose relationship has soured over the years due to bad business, as well as several other odd and interesting characters including: an overprotective mother, a hot tempered Irish chef, a less than reliable Russian dancer, a bumbling train conductor, and Marmamilton's much younger wife... who moonlights as a showgirl. As the train leaves the station, the lights go out and, when they flicker back on, someone is shot... dead! Who has committed this murder most foul? It's up to Detective Nebbirg and his not-so-welcome assistant, Alex, to interrogate those onboard, solve the case, and reveal "The Blackout Killer" ... before he (or she) strikes again!

MURDER ON THE PARADISE LINE leaves the station at BANK on Mattison (649 Mattison Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712) Fri. May 8th & Sat. May 9th (dinner at 6pm, show at 7pm) and Mother's Day Sun. May 10th (brunch at 2pm, show at 3pm) as well as Fri. May 15th & Sat. May 16th (dinner at 6pm, show at 7pm) and Sun. May 17th (brunch at 2pm, show at 3pm).

$35 tickets (which include dinner, show, and dessert) can be purchased online at www.lastradaensemble.org or by calling (732) 455-2748.

(As parking is at a premium in Asbury Park on weekends, La Strada suggests arriving at BANK 15 to 20 minutes before dinner is served.)

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