Wear your party hat and step back into Prohibition at Artists’ Exchange’s interactive Mob Murder Mystery, “Speakeasy Slasher,” an original production presented March 17-25 at Theatre 82 & Café in Cranston. Interrogate suspects, dissect clues and solve the crime in this interactive whodunit filled with colorful characters, fast-paced action, singing, dancing, humor and intrigue. Show is family-friendly and perfect for super sleuths and anyone who loves to laugh. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

The original script is written by Jessica Chace and Nicole Pellegrino with improvisational collaboration of the cast. Enjoy live music, singing, and dancing with music direction by Tom Chace. It’s an ensemble-oriented production featuring a cast of community actors ranging in age, including children, teenagers, adults, and veteran stage actors. Cash wine and a beer bar available before and during the show.  

A brief synopsis of the show reveals a seemingly simple occasion gone wrong: Celebrate the 80th birthday of Salvatore Sabatini, Godfather of Rhode Island’s “Three Families.” Join members of the Sabatini, DeFusco and Valente families in paying respect to Salvatore and honoring the story of their families’ alliance. Party festivities include watching live music and dancing performances and the documentary and trailer of “Speakeasy Slasher,” the new film which tells the tale of how the “Three Families” stopped the infamous serial murders in New England speakeasies during Prohibition.

Be careful, though: amidst the cake cutting and cork popping is the bubbling of betrayal, blackmail and bitter grudges. When someone is found dead, guests must search for clues and question suspects to solve the crime. Keep your eyes and ears open – one wrong move and you’ll wind up the next victim.

Raising funds for its recent award of an $85,000 Cultural Facilities Grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) for capital improvements. Ticket sales and donations support this fundraising campaign to replace outdated and inadequate theater lighting and sound equipment, replace theater seating with a retractable system to allow for a more multi-purpose art and performance space, build a new sound booth, increase flexibility for actors and directors through creating a second entrance to the theater, and build a backstage space, among additional improvements for educational purposes.

Show takes place throughout Theatre 82 & Café, located at 82 Rolfe Square in Cranston. Performances are March 17-25 on Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. (individual show dates March 17, 18, 24, 25). Buy tickets online, by phone, or in person.  For information, questions, and to buy tickets, call 490-9475 or visit the show’s webpage at www.artists-exchange.org.