Frank and Kristen Marquette’s passion for interactive comedy/murder mysteries has been expressed through their Murder Café Dinner Theatre these past dozen or so years, entertaining audiences in public venues and private institutions throughout the country. Frank is writer, producer, director and actor in Murder Café productions, while Kristen specializes in costume and set designs and all other backstage business: makeup, hair and generally getting characters into convincible character. Presenting fully scripted, original plays, the duo heads an acting troupe adept at engaging theatregoers in intrigue, ensuing mayhem and detective work, right up to the final “whodunit” moment.

A round of Halloween-themed comedy/murder mystery nights will sweep through the Hudson Valley this month. The Night of the Witches’ Wedding, written and produced by Frank Marquette, is a play conjuring up a rich brew of curses and spells at the centennially held gathering of the Willobee Witches’ Coven. The three witches, Hazel, Blair and Bea, stir up trouble in their search for a groom for Lily Le Fey, a deserving young maiden. Naturally, all the grooms fall victim to a spell-gone-wrong. The creepy cast includes Sharon Coughlan, Dana Page, Courtney Constantino, Frank Marquette, Ryan Hunlock, Barbara Gallo, Jean Garber, Chet Beesmer and James Stokes.

The Night of the Witches’ Wedding will be staged on Saturday, October 15 at Eleven 11 Grille in Fishkill, on Friday, October 21 at the Inn at Stone Ridge in Stone Ridge, on Saturday, October 22 at Arbor Ridge in Hopewell Junction, on Friday, October 28 at the Hudson House Inn in Cold Spring, on Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30 at the Lodge in Wingdale and on Monday, October 31 at the Rhinecliff Hotel in Rhinecliff. Guests are encouraged to come in costume, and the evening’s festivities will include a costume contest. Contact each venue for times and ticket information.

Poe’s Last Mystery was conceived by Marquette’s daughter Irene, a writer and director now living in Chicago. Frank Marquette’s script has Edgar Allan Poe, desperate and destitute, reading from his poems and tales of mystery. As he recites from Annabel Lee, The Raven, The Cask of Amontillado and The Fall of the House of Usher, characters from his stories make surprise appearances, testing the great author’s mettle as each ghostly visitor seeks revenge on him for the way in which they were killed. Is Poe delusional or are they real? Both entertaining and educational, the drama that unfolds during Poe’s Last Mystery will alter events on what will prove to be the eve of his death. The cast includes Sharon Coughlan as Annabelle Lee, Frank Marquette as Edgar Allan Poe, Phillip Levine as Roderick Usher and Ryan Humlock as Fortunado.

Irene Marquette directs this interactive show wherein Edgar Allan Poe speaks to the audience, and audience participation is – as always – welcomed but not required. Poe’s Last Mystery will be staged at the Rosendale Theatre on Main Street in Rosendale on Saturday, November 5 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, November 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for the Saturday evening performance, $12.50 for the Sunday matinee and $10 for students. Proceeds will benefit the Rosendale Theatre. For further information about Murder Café visit www.murdercafe.net.