If you're looking for a unique way to spend an evening this summer, dinner and the theater might be just the outing for you. Ohio is home to an impressive array of performing artists, including actors, comedians, and musicians. Take some time to get out there and see them at any of the exciting venues listed below.
1260 Euclid Ave. Inside Crown Plaza at Playhouse Square, Cleveland, OH 44115
At The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show, you get to play the part of a detective in a gripping theatrical murder plot. As you eat your four-course dinner and enjoy access to a cash bar, you will watch the murder scene unfold before your eyes. Each event features plainclothes actors sprinkled throughout the audience, giving the proceedings a more unpredictable and dramatic flair. It's an interactive experience where anyone in the room could be a part of the mystery. At the end of the night, the person who figures out the identity of the murderer first will win a small prize for their efforts.
4365 OH-39, Millersburg, OH 44654
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Hoping to bring your kids on your night out? The Amish Country Theater is one of the few fully family-friendly theater establishments in Ohio. This local theater features a full complement of nightly variety shows that evoke the popular vaudeville shows of the early 20th century. Special guests appear periodically to shake up the venue's usual farm-themed routines. The performances are diverse, surprising, and always entertaining, giving you something new to look forward to each time you visit.
5475 Lake Rd., Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH 44041
The Noble Art Entertainment dinner theater experience is always a fun option for a night out in Northeast Ohio. Some of their shows, such as murder mystery dinners, are interactive. Others are more traditional theater experiences. Each is performed during a three- to six-course dinner with vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options available. Vegan dishes may also be provided with advance notice and a small surcharge. Check out the list of upcoming shows and show menus on their website to see which types of events are available this summer.
765 W. Central Ave., Springboro, OH 45066
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La Comedia is a popular live dinner theatre in the Cincinnati area. When you attend, you'll be invited to eat your fill from a massive buffet filled with delicious options like fried chicken and fish, homemade cornbread, sauerkraut, and potato soufflé. This company is best known for its musical performances, but you can catch all kinds of shows here at different points in their rotation. This summer, they will be performing Beauty and the Beast starting on June 2nd, followed by The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee starting July 28th.
4990 Glenway Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45238
Cincinnati Landmark Productions has been operating under different names for nearly 36 years. In that time, they have become one of Ohio's premier entertainment destinations. Some of the shows they have lined up for the summer months of 2022 include Newsies, Jerry's Girls, and Carousel. CLP also hosts the Cincinnati Young People's Theater at their Covedale building. This summer, this group will be putting on an all-teen performance of the beloved high school musical Grease.
2172 E. Seymour Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45237
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Experience a whole new meaning of "meals on wheels" on the Cincinnati Dinner Train. Buying a ticket on this vintage train entitles you to a four-course dinner served while rolling through the most scenic spots around the outskirts of Cincinnati. The train itself is themed around the 1940s and includes several carefully restored cars to accommodate guests. The highlight of these is the Albee Car, an impressive space featuring a full musical stage. This spot is home to the Queen City Sisters, a retro musical group singing songs from the period to complete the mood. By the time you step off the train at the end of the night, you'll feel as if you've gone back in time.
Inside Hilton, 401 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215
The Columbus version of The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show offers the same thrilling experience as the company's Cleveland location. Remember that there is a lot of frightening imagery involved at these dinners, including simulated gunshots and sudden blackouts—all guests must be over 15 to attend. Adults can look forward to a thrilling night of puzzle-solving, intrigue, deception, and eventual triumph. Even if you are not the person to eventually catch the killer, you're sure to leave feeling pleased to have had the chance to exercise your detective skills.
2101 Noe Bixby Rd., Columbus, OH 43232
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Over the course of just two hours, The Murder Mystery Company offers a three-course dinner and a Clue-style murder mystery performance. This company themes each of their performances to enhance the experience and provide something different for repeat guests. Some recent themes include Midnight at the Masquerade, Death of a Gangster, and Totally 80s, Totally Murder. Guests are encouraged to dress up to match the theme of the night. Adult guests can also purchase alcohol at any point during the show.
1625 Bethel Rd., Columbus, OH 43220
At Columbus' A Murder Mystery Dinner, you'll experience more than just a show. Guests at this dinner theater are taken through an engaging murder mystery through step-by-step interactive dramatizations of events. In between these dramatizations, guests are invited to solve escape room-style puzzles together as a team. This format is a great way to see how well your companions work together as well as how well each of you works with other people. Some of these events are adult-only, while others accommodate teenage guests as well. Check out your options in advance if you plan to bring younger people to the show.
There's nothing like a night on the town to get you feeling on top of the world. Which of these entertainment experiences will you be attending this summer?