Where is your theatre?
We are a moveable feast. We perform our shows wherever you want them. We are not based out of a theatre building or a restaurant. We write and rehearse our shows at our office in Greenbrae, but each performance is a unique event, happening at a different site. We have performed in hotel banquet rooms, historical buildings, homes, restaurants, on yachts, at country clubs, in offices. You get to choose. Our motto: Have Show, Will Travel.

Where should we have it?
We can literally perform our shows anywhere. We have found, however, that the shows work best when they are indoors, in a space where everyone can see the action at the same time. Banquet halls and meeting rooms in hotels are ideal.

What size group is best?
We can perform for any size group. It depends how intimate or how grand you want it.

How many actors do you use?
We have found that the perfect size for a comedy mystery is 5 actors, and a 2-3 person tech crew. (Our shows include lights & sound, and we have live music as well as taped cues).

How long is the show?
We time it to your event. You’re the boss. Most of our events run between 90 minutes and two hours (the duration of a dinner party).

How much does the audience have to get involved? Do they have to go onstage?
The great thing about our shows is that the each audience member can participate as much or as little as they like. No one is forced to go onstage, no one has to play the clues they are given. The show is great even if no audience clues are played. But… it is more fun when the audience jumps in and plays the game. And by the way, most people love to come up and be a star. Group participation has never been a problem. Our actors are trained improvisers who are great at getting people involved. For testimonials from our clients, click here.

Will the guests be able to solve the mystery?
Yes, but it’s not essential. In our show, the accent is on comedy. Imagine a mystery a la Mel Brooks or Woody Allen. It’s fun to just laugh along. When you are asked to find a motive, you could choose "Revenge" or "Profit". Or you could choose "It seemed like a good idea at the time". Serious mystery fans will be able to figure it out; but even people that don’t usually like mysteries will have a great time.

Why is Metropolis the best?
Unlike other murder mystery companies, ours is made of professional theatre people – actors, directors, playwrights – who know how to put on a terrific presentation. All of our performers have at least 10 years experience doing interactive improv comedy. Our actors are all working professionals; we have more Screen Actors Guild members than any other company. Any given cast has at least 50 years of combined performing experience. With the best story, the best production values, and the best cast; our comedy mystery show is a sure-fire hit.

How much is it?
The cost for a Metropolis show is $2,700 including sound and lights and peripheral materials (programs, clues, etc.). Our "period piece" shows ("A Dickens of A Christmas", "Wild West Shenanigans") are $3,200. There is a small travel fee for shows more than 30 miles from San Francisco. If there are extra technical needs (video projection screens, etc.) or if the show involves a greater time commitment ( performing the show in another state, or writing a specific new script ), the price would be higher.

If you want something other than a murder mystery, fear not. We have different kind of programs to fit almost any budget. To get a glimpse of what else we offer, click here.

How much time do you need? How far in advance should we book?
We can perform at the drop of a hat. If you want a show, we’ll put the calls out to the actors & crew & see if they are available within your time frame. For us, it is best to book the event at least a month in advance. If we have a signed contract and deposit received a month before the show, we can be confident that you will be getting the best show and the best cast possible. That also gives us plenty of time to get information on your group and incorporate it into the script.

Is there anything else we should know?
Technical needs for each individual show will be discussed with the clients, but here’s the overview: The client provides the site, and takes care of the food/beverage service. They provide free parking for our cast & crew, who show up on the day of the event 3 hours prior to the arrival of the guests. We rehearse the show, and set up the lights & sound system. Part of the contract calls for a meal service for the actors & crew 90 minutes before the guests arrive. (For the actors, it’s an 8 hour day with travel. If you give them a meal, they won’t be staring at the guest’s dinner through the whole show.)

What we need onsite: a staging area (an area big enough to comfortably fit 5 actors), a tech area (an area with a table for the stage manager and equipment, a place for a spotlight and operator, room for the speakers on tripods in the corners of the room), a backstage area big enough to hold a table and 8 chairs (preferably with a clothing rack and water for the actors). The backstage area should be close to the playing area and must be available to the actors for the entire duration of the event and the 3 hours prior to the event.

For event planners needing background in order to "pitch" a Metropolis show, click here.

We want to book a Metropolis show! How do we do it?
First, it’s time to get out of cyberspace and talk to an actual human being. ("Oh, that is so 20th Century".) Our phone number is (415) 461-7695. In case we are at an event (and we apologize in advance), the answering machine is on 24 hours a day.