MAT's Death by Chocolate fundraiser planned

Local — and visiting — theater-goers again have the chance to mix food, theater and murder during the annual Death by Chocolate event put on by Montana Actors' Theatre.

The annual fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Student Union Building Ballroom at Montana State University-Northern.

The highly popular event, which helps fund the local amateur acting troupe's season of productions, has sold out in past years, with all the tables full of audience members eating, sampling and bidding on locally made chocolate desserts as well as bidding in a silent auction and trying to solve a murder.

Jay Pyette, president and artistic director of MAT, said he expects the event will again be a good time.

"Things get kind of crazy during Death by Chocolate, " he said.

The event will again feature two of each chocolate dessert — one for sampling by the audience and one for the auction — artwork for the silent auction and a full bar and the meal

"We try to gear the food somewhat toward the event itself, " Pyette said, matching the theme of the play.

"Not murder, " he added. "We don't tie it to that part. "

The audience-interactive production of "Peace, Love and Murder" is being directed by Patrick Ulano and Rachel Dean.

"It has a … hip, '60s feel to it. Everybody's happy except the dead guy or girl …, " Pyette said "This (play is) a little different, and if they pay attention they could really solve this one, " he said.

The event also leads to sponsorships of the plays, and local businesses also sponsor tables at the fundraiser.

Tickets, at $35 each or $50 for a couple, went on sale today at Creative Leisure and Angie's Wildflowers, and are available online at http://mtactors.com/havre.

The doors and bar open at 5:30 p. m. with hors d'oeuvres served at 6 p. m. and the production starting at 7 p. m.