Murder Mystery Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Sharpo Murder Mystery?

A Sharpo Murder Mystery is an interactive theatrical event. It is part show and part game. Attendees participate as amateur sleuths and suspects as they interact with professional actors playing roles in the murder mystery. Our Professional Actors are facilitators creating a world of intrigue, mystery and adventure for the participants.

Sharpo!® Inc Produces Murder Mystery Private Parties , Murder Mystery Corporate Events plus public Murder Mystery Dinners and Weekend Murder Mysteries. Sharpo Inc. is a California Corporation. We produce events all across the USA.

What happens at a Sharpo Murder Mystery?

Sharpo!® Murder Mystery Evenings and Dinner Mysteries usually begin with a cocktail party or mingling reception. It is during this time that the murder mystery theme, back story and exposition occurs. Leading characters are introduced and actors work the crowd, getting the party started and warming up the audience for what comes next, which is in fact a MURDER. In most cases, the victim is shot, stabbed, poisoned, bludgeoned, electrocuted, strangled, or otherwise murdered, either in plain sight or just outside of the room. Sharpo!® Murder Mystery Evenings and Dinner Mysteries place great emphasis on visual excitement and will usually have the actual death occur in front of the audience. A police detective arrives quickly and attends to the victim, checks the perimeter, sequesters the audience and begins an investigation as to who committed the murder. Sharpo!® Murder Mystery Evenings and Dinner Mysteries award prizes to those who can solve the murder and determine: Who is the murderer? How was the murder carried out? (Opportunity and Method) Why did they do it? (Motive)

Why host a Sharpo Murder Mystery?

It's Fun, Challenging, Exciting, Memorable and Clean Entertainment that is suitable for all audiences. Armed with a devilishly clever script, a unique, edgy comedy shtick, and the impeccable timing that comes from years of performing, Sharpo!® keeps the crowd in stitches and on the edge of their seats. The action-packed show starts with a bang (and a body) and then moves along at a fast, furious pace. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way. Suspense builds as our detective interrogates the guests. His masterful manipulations often result in spontaneous, hysterical laughter by your guests. Guests have an opportunity to solve the crime and win an unusual prize. In a dramatic climax, the truth is revealed. The killers are exposed and taken away.

How is a Sharpo Murder Mystery different from other companies'?

CSI means Call Sharpo In. Trust your inner detective and our years of experience. Sharpo!® parties are the best. We bring Broadway and Hollywood to your event. Eric Sharp, Executive Producer, Sharpo!® Inc. is a proud member of the Mystery Writers of America, the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, & the American Society Of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Eric's co-starring appearances on primetime network television shows include "Star Trek Voyager", "Wings" and more. Eric had a recurring role as the disgruntled "Benny" on UPN's "In The House" with LL Cool J, Kim Wayans, Debbie Allen, and Robin Givens. Eric made a cameo as "Sharpo The Clown" in the blockbuster film, "Liar Liar", with Jim Carrey and is prominently featured in the Good Charlotte Music Video, "Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous". Yes, That's Eric in the "Bottled Water" episode of "Penn and Teller's Showtime Video on Demand". Eric hosted and produced the L.A. based cable interview show, MY HALF HOUR from 1997 through 2002 and honed his live mystery show over 15 years traveling all over the U.S. His audiences include Air Force Generals, Fortune 500 CEOs, Award-Winning Physicists, Network Chiefs, and other people of distinction. We also focus on making your guests the stars of the evening. We bring audiences together. Read our Letters page to sample glowing comments from past parties! Read more Sharpo!® Bios here.

Where is the best place to host a Sharpo Murder Mystery?

We can bring our critically-acclaimed interactive murder mystery to any a private dining area/banquet room, or on a cruise, train, or even in your own home. We need a central area where all the guests can congregate and we require a small backstage area to store the props, prizes …and dead bodies. Check out these venues we recommend.

How long does a Sharpo Murder Mystery last?

A Sharpo Murder Mystery Dinner/Luncheon Event usually lasts about 3 hours from the start/mingling reception to curtain call and prize ceremony. If you have other business to attend to, such as a speech or awards to give out, we can break up the show into segments accommodated around your other business. In those cases a Sharpo Murder Mystery can last up to 4 or 4 ½ hours.

Sharpo Murder Mystery Team Building Events can run 2 hours or go all day (6 hours).

We also produce Sharpo Weekend Murder Mysteries. They can last 2 to 3 days.

We can create a Sharpo Murder Mystery Tour that can last 3 hours to 7 days!

What are some Sharpo Murder Mystery themes?

Most of our programs are contemporary, meaning the story takes place here and now. Guests play themselves. Events are personalized as much as possible around the attendees. Our professional actors play real people. Sometimes it is difficult to know who is an attendee and who is an actor. You won’t see any outlandish Sherlock Holmes caps or feather boas in our shows unless you specifically ask for our Roaring Twenties Mystery. Think more along the lines of "Columbo" meets "Monk" meets "CSI."

What does "interactive" mean?

Attendees are the biggest part of the event. Everyone attending is a suspect and can be interrogated by the detective. More outgoing guests can be included in reenactments of crimes, be rounded up for a police line up, be asked to read or describe clues to the rest of the audience, etc. Guests who prefer not to be that involved can simply sit back and enjoy the show. All attendees have the opportunity to write out a solution for a chance to win a grand prize!

What prizes can I win at a Sharpo Murder Mystery?

Our grand is the coveted “Sharpo.com Hammer Of Justice Award”. This is a limited edition bronze and wood plaque that recognizes and rewards the guest who contributes the best solution to the crime! Runners-up prizes can include Sharpo CSI bumper stickers, coffee mugs, and other promotional items. We also award some gag prizes to whoever comes up with the silliest solutions.

Should I tell my guests that they are coming to a murder mystery or should I surprise them?

Tell them! Sharpo!® Inc Murder Mystery is a critically-acclaimed, interactive hit show featuring Hollywood and Broadway talent. Get them excited about your party! Don’t surprise your guests with a "cold opening." Some people think it is great fun to just have someone drop dead at their cocktail party and then spring the detective on their audience. This is a risky tactic, and can scare some people out of their wits. We have had very mixed results with cold openings and discourage clients from this practice.

How many actors are there in a Sharpo Murder Mystery?

Our All Pro Cast is specially designed to work with 4 to 8 Actors depending on how many guests are attending; the distance from our offices to your event; and other factors.

Our Skeleton Crew Cast is specially designed to work with 2 to 3 professional actors depending on how many guests are attending; the distance from our offices to your event; and other factors.

Can a guest be one of the killers or victims?

Yes, if you want to! Let us know in advance and we’ll write some parts specifically for you.

How does a Sharpo Murder Mystery work as a team builder?

Teams work together, racing against time, to solve the crime, using collective insight from their group, deductive reasoning, problem solving techniques, etc. Sharpo Murder Mysteries also bond your group through laughter. This fun, exciting, shared experience creates camaraderie and unity that lasts. Remember, the company that slays together stays together.

How should we decorate for our Sharpo! Murder Mystery?

We suggest that you create a fine dining atmosphere, but keep the lights up. The whole room is the stage and everyone needs to see each others’ faces. We suggest setting the mood with black table linens and red napkins. Please keep your table centerpieces short, so that everyone can see each other. We suggest that you keep the tables close together, but with some room for the detective and other actors to walk between them. We also would like a central area for our evidence table and an area for the detective to “stage” some action.

Do you have a mystery show without murder?

Yes! This is a mystery surrounding a grand theft! Party guests race against time to follow the clues, solve the crime and win a prize!

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