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Posted on Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 10:36 a.m.

New Mixed Company Troupe offers patrons the chance to star in an original, scripted play

By AnnArbor.com Staff

A new kind of dinner theater, presented by the just-launched Mixed Company Troupe, recently debuted at the Portage Yacht Club in Pinckney.

The evening began when a volunteer from the audience was selected to star in the show. The woman had never seen a line of the original, scripted play, or met any members of the cast; but she received her lines (through an earpiece) from director/playwright Sasha d’Or, who was hidden in a nearby soundproof booth. (Hence the dinner theater program’s title, “Lines A La Carte.”) This play was the first of three performed between courses. MCT, the brainchild of mystery writer and movie director d’Or, employs technology custom-designed by the troupe’s sound engineer, Ben Solomon. MCT also uses two sets of actors, to allow for rotation between performers so that new plays can be regularly introduced.

The company is self-contained so that it can perform in a restaurant, club, or civic group that's not normally set up for theater. The business/group provides the space, the audience, and a volunteer, while MCT provides the cast, lighting, props, costumes, special effects, a wireless earbud system, and sound equipment. To contact MCT, call 734-277-6847; email info@MixedCompanyTroupe.com; or visit the Mixed Company Troupe website.

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.