Austin Price, Editor in Chief
Located off Federal Boulevard, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Downtown Denver, a building that’s both haunting and enchanting stands looming over the road, peeking above the trees. With its intimidating size and neon sign in the shape of a magnifying glass, Adams Mystery Playhouse sits above the chaos of the street and creates an air of mystery and magic. Adams Mystery Playhouse is Denver's longest running interactive comedy murder mystery dinner show, and Denver’s only full-time comedy murder mystery dinner theater. At the Playhouse, guests help solve humorous murder mysteries over a formal dinner, at a mansion that was once used as a mortuary.
The bright, neon sign advertises an experience that’s both haunting and humorous. Photo by Austin Price
As a lover of all things murder, mystery, macabre, and magic, I chose Adams Mystery Playhouse as the signature activity to celebrate my birthday, several weeks ago. While this may seem like an unusual choice for many, it proved to be quite a hit for me and my family. I think this is a pretty big win, considering I come from a family of anxious introverts with social issues.
Our evening began with a comical and friendly welcome from one of the owners, as we were ushered inside, away from the rain. Upon entering, we were greeted by antique furniture, dusty books, and floral patterns lining the walls.
The walls of the house demonstrate the classic, elegant feel of Victorian architecture. Photo by Austin Price
As we walked through the mansion, it was clear that the owners of the building understood the importance of blending classic creepiness with modern monsters. Contemporary Halloween decorations scattered the different rooms, adding an air of holiday horrors onto the elegant ambience of eclectic furnishings.
A motion sensored Halloween statue stands before vintage, red curtains. Photo by Austin Price
The layout of the mansion reflected the initial designs of old buildings. A plethora of secret rooms, hidden doors, and small passageways could be found throughout the different halls and on the different levels of the building. Personally, I would love to own this house, simply to host a legendary game of Hide and Seek.
An unassuming bookshelf doubles as a hidden door. Photo by Austin Price
While the entire building and the interior decorations were wildly impressive, I must say that my favorite part of this haunted estate was the grand staircase. Made with oak wood and engraved with carvings made by hand, the staircase is a signature piece of the home’s iconic vibe. Me, being my weird self, had a full on, Morticia Adams / Madame Leota moment when coming down the stairs. A huge shoutout to my brother, Alex, for capturing this moment on camera.
Me living out my dream of being a wealthy hostess in a haunted house. Photo by Alex Price
After exploring the nooks and crannies of the house, we were led to the main space, The Adams Room. With a ballroom type setup, the Adams Room was filled with wooden chairs and tables, expertly navigated by efficient waiters as they served the audience. At the front of the room was the stage, set and ready to host the evening’s performance, Murder at Haunted Blood Mansion.
The curtain has risen, and the actors are set. Photo by Austin Price
The show began, and in a pleasant surprise, the team formerly seen as the waitstaff became the show’s performers. They embodied a variety of characters, each with their own peculiarities and over-the-top personalities. The actors blended the direction of their scripts with their improvisational skills into an expert performance.
Something unique about this production was the immense amount of audience participation that was incorporated into the show. Audience members had direct interactions with the actors, helping them make each performance uniquely suited to the audience. As attendees of the show, we were given clues, cue cards, and background knowledge to build our predictions for the result of the case. Without giving away any spoilers, my team, fondly declared as “Austin’s Angels” predicted the criminal correctly, and sufficiently solved the whodunnit.
Fueled by a well-stocked bar, fine dinner, electric cast, and an enthusiastic audience, Adams Mystery Playhouse presented a fabulous evening of investigation, laughter, and spookiness in their production of Murder at Haunted Blood Mansion. Upon leaving the event, my family informed me that we needed to attend another show at the Playhouse, and we needed to do so soon. So, I highly recommend a night of murder, magic, and madness at Adams Mystery Playhouse. Whether it’s a family excursion, date-night activity, or a holiday celebration, the Playhouse promises an experience like no other that feeds our spooky selves and satisfies our scary souls.