Local residents this weekend have the opportunity to enjoy good food, great chocolate, grand company — and a murder.

On Saturday Montana Actors’ Theatre, for the third straight year, will hold Death by Chocolate, its biggest fundraiser, in the Student Union Building at Montana State University-Northern.

Jay Pyette, MAT’s founder and artistic director, said the event has been very popular both years previous, with about 300 people attending.

“It’s been, pretty much, a capacity crowd, ” he said. “It’s been full both years. It’s been great. ”

The event combines an hors d’eouvre buffet and bar, locally baked chocolate desserts, a silent auction and an interactive murder mystery play.

Pyette said the play, directed by Martin Holt, will go on throughout the night, with breaks in between the scenes and acts.

“People have a chance to solve the mystery, ” he said. “It’s a different mystery each year. ”

At the end of the play, the audience members can ask the actors questions, then each table can present its findings, Pyette said.

The desserts are one of the main features of the evening. Local chefs cook two of each dessert, with one for sampling and the second to be auctioned off.

There usually are about 40 desserts, he said.

The silent auction focuses on art, Pyette said, with most of the items crafted by local artists.

The event starts in the SUB Ballroom at 5:30 p. m. with a social hour, and the murder mystery begins at 7 p. m.

Tickets are available at the MAT website, www.mtactors.com, or at Creative Leisure and Bright Ideas Advertising, at a cost of $30 for one ticket, $50 for two and $400 to reserve a table.