Death by Chocolate returns, albeit a bit different this year

Montana Actors’ Theatre is holding its annual Death by Chocolate fundraiser this weekend, though COVID-19 has necessitated some changes.

MAT Artistic Director Grant Olson said the event has a different theme every year, with this one’s being 1950s Prom.

“Yeah, it’s the one from ‘Back to the Future,’” he said.

Olson said the event often includes a murder mystery with audience participation, and while this year’s theme is different, the audience will still play a part in the performance.

He said the audience can guess who the king and queen are going to be and based on their choices the story of the play will change, describing it as a “chose your own adventure” kind of event.

He said the actors have needed to practice improvisation because of the vast number of possible permutations of the event, and they are having a good time with it.

Olson said there have been some things they’ve had to change this year to make the event safer amid the pandemic.

He said the buffet has been replaced with plated meals, and the games that would normally be held have been replaced with music, both of which will allow people to more easily stick with their groups and stay COVID-safe by not mixing the audience together too much.

“We’re trying to keep things as safe as we possibly can,” Olson said.

While these changes will make the event look a bit different from normal, he said, plenty of the event’s traditions will be returning, including the chance to win a big trip and a number of raffles.

“It will be a bit different from what people are used to, but it should be a lot of fun,” he said.

Olson said COVID-19 seems to have affected ticket sales, but only a little bit, as they’re already pretty close to their average sales.

Tables for the event are still available and can be purchased on MAT’s website, https://mtactors.com, or by contacting Jay Pyette via email at [email protected].