More Mafioso Murders cast and production clues

Andrea Molberg

This April, Community Circle Players (CCP) presents the live mystery dinner treat Mafioso Murders with actors moving among the diners dropping clues at CCP’s latest “whodunit.” Ticket sales are expected to be lively, because almost 900 attended last year’s dinner murder mystery.

Tickets went on sale February 7 at the respective administration buildings and include both the performance and an Italian themed dinner for only $49. Performances are April 8, 9, and 10 in the SaddleBrooke One Vistas and April 12, 13 and 14 at SaddleBrooke TWO MountainView Ballroom.

Here are clues to some of this show’s performers:

Ron Andrea (Mickey) and his wife Pat came in 2003 from Buffalo, NY. Ron worked as a psychologist in local schools, at the university and in private practice, and Pat taught chemistry.

Ron’s theater experience started here, where he performed on stage and Pat managed props backstage. Ron credits Suzy and Steve Shear, who wrote, directed and produced plays in SaddleBrooke for well over a decade, for teaching him most of what he has learned. He performed in each of the ten annual SaddleBrooke plays, in No Way Out at the Temple of Music and Art, and with the company of Tucson Improv Movement off 4th Ave in Tucson. His most recent role was that of a drunk sommelier last year in Eat, Drink and be Deadly.

Karen Moore (Tootsie) and her husband Greg moved from Portland to SaddleBrooke in 2008. She started her theatrical career as Savannah Cooper in The State vs Max Cooper and had a ball! She then went on to perform in five more productions by PrimeTime Players including playing the role of Annie in Calendar Girls.

Karen also performed in No Way Out, a Susan Shear Production at Tucson’s Temple of Music and Arts and in The Sunshine Boys, a Leona Mitchell Production, appeared in four short films, and performed as a company member of the Tucson Improv Movement. Karen is a charter member of CCP and was seen last year decked out in fur as Sarah Syrah in Eat, Drink, and Be Deadly!

Patty Gregory-Burke (Costuming and Dr. Rusty Blade) danced in high school musical performances and continued studying and teaching dance until her early twenties. At the Rochester NY Police Department, she found her calling as a 911 Police/Fire Dispatcher and supervisor (and husband). After a 17-year career there, she worked for seven years as a dispatcher/supervisor for the Carlsbad CA Police Department, until they moved to SaddleBrooke in 2007. She is a library volunteer and the Vice President of the SaddleBrooke Genealogy Club.

Patty explains that an audience of thousands of people on the radio channels helped her nerves, as did training dispatchers and volunteers. “When last year’s auditions were announced, it was something that I really wanted to try. One of the things I love about theater, especially with the wonderful group of actors here, is the feeling of family.” She finds the dinner theater format fun for both actors and audience. “I’m so happy we can bring this experience to our community with such a quality production.”