You never know what's going to happen when you perform in the midst of people you've urged to join in.

Mayhem & Mystery directors Tamra and Jerry Francis have experienced many of the possibilities during six years of interactive mystery dinner theater performances.

Stranded in Sheboygan, their 25th original show, opened last week at their troupe's dual headquarters — the Spaghetti Warehouses in Dayton and Columbus. The troupe will give its 500th performance in January and is approaching a total audience of 20,000.

The Dayton couple must be approaching 20,000 plates of pasta, too. "We know every combination possible at Spaghetti Warehouse. We eat there more than 100 times per year," Jerry Francis said.

Now that they've paused to burp discreetly, here are:

10 questions for M&M (Mayhem & Mystery), aka F&F (Francis & Francis).

Q How long does it take you to write a script?

A Our first (in November 2000) took just 48 hours out of pure necessity. Our writer fell through at the last minute, the first of many "sink or swim" events over the years. It usually takes three to four weeks from conception to first draft.

Q Your titles are often clever, such as the salon-flavored Wild and Styled (2003) and Curl Up and Dye (2005). Which one have you liked the best?

A Our choice is Go West — Suspense at the Sarsaparilla Saloon (January 2004).

Q Which character has had the best name?

A How about Stew Pidity, Urah Fraid or Eve Ill (from Go West); The Godmother (from Holiday With the Mob); Poly and Esther from Diabolical Disco; or Jane Blonde and Tres Clueseiss from Double–O-Deadly?

Q Which show has been the best?

A Diabolical Disco (May 2004) stands out. The whole audience got involved in a disco competition that included doing YMCA to conclude the show. That was memorable.

Q Do you ever get stuck in a rut?

M&M: We're just getting started. We have ideas, names and scenarios ready and waiting for shows well into 2008 and beyond, like Ships A' Ploy, Agony Casino and Internal Affairs. The list just keeps growing.

Q What's the craziest thing an audience member has done?

A How about the top four? Guests trying to steal the show by over ad-libbing or creating their own story line. A spectator going through the pockets of recently deceased characters, looking for clues while they're laying there. People enjoying the props so much that they try to leave with them. One guest ran backstage to perform CPR on an actor who had just done a death scene.

Q Has a cast member ever "lost it" or committed a faux pas in responding to an audience member? Ever said one of those things you regret?

A Normally the problem is trying not to laugh at each other or bust up at a crazy comment offered by an audience member. It's also hard to play dead when you're being tickled by another actor.

Q Next to Shakespeare's plays, where would you rank yours?

A That's like comparing opera to The Wiggles, although actors who have worked with us say it's more difficult than what they're used to since the audience is in your face, interrupting you, egging you on and sometimes upstaging you. We're a fun interactive evening with no agenda except getting you to enjoy yourself for a few hours.

Q Once you've performed a show for a couple of months, do you retire it permanently?

A Other mystery companies offer as few as three shows per year. Most, if not all, are repeats. We've offered six original, never been done, hot-off-the-press mysteries each year since 2001. We haven't repeated any or officially retired them. Actually, syndication is pending.

Q Do you have anything to say for yourselves?

A If you're an actor in the area and 21 or older, please consider auditioning for us. We're always looking for new talent, even if you've never performed interactive theater before. Try it, you may love it.

 

CALL: (937) 461-3913 for reservations. More information is available at www.mayhemmystery.com.