We attended that murder mystery weekend at Hotel Canandaigua and it was so much fun! Our third…read moremurder mystery weekend - The food was great, the acting was excellent, and we were left guessing the plot. Highly recommend! I

Pros: *The food was very good…read more *The room and seating were comfortable *Some of the performers were very good *Nice atmosphere/interesting restaurant Cons: *A bit disorganized *A real need to have more direction for guests. *More thought on character and story depth needed *"Props" consisted of just scribbled notes on paper. Upon arrival, guest have literally no idea what to do when they arrive at the restaurant. No one is there to greet anyone, we were just left to wander awkwardly around. While it says the show is 7 to 10 PM we were unable to get out of there until almost 11. This really ruined our after event plans, as we had no way to gracefully leave. The show was running late (there was a big lag between the salad and entrée with no activities or instructions on what to do during that awkward lull), and when finally it was "solved" (about 10:40pm), the performers and host positioned themselves in front of the only room exit, so they could introduce cast members. And after that-then even though it was 10:45PM, while they were still blocking the exit, they opted to single out everyone who had a birthday or anniversary, and sing happy birthday not once but twice in Long form. We really wanted to leave, and it was impossible. I've been to many murder, mystery evenings, and never been to one that there were not props involved. Usually there are evidence Props placed all around the room and included on the evidence table with diagrams, etc. So it was disappointing that no real thought went into creating "evidence". For over $650 for 6 of us (we bought cocktails at the bar), and our after plans completely ruined due to us not being able to get out until almost at 11 o'clock, I probably would have given this a two star rating but the food was very good and the actors at our table were fun to be around.

This Show, put on by the Belly Laugh Productions, is inside the Courtyard Marriott in one of their…read moreconference rooms on the 1st floor, pass the Starbucks. Your options for parking include valet at the hotel, self parking in a parking structure nearby (1st 90 minutes are free) and street parking a few blocks away (if you can find it, and this would be free parking). My husband and I came for a dinner and show last night (6:30 pm show). Making reservations on line was a breeze (be sure to check Groupon for discounted tickets). Check in at the hotel was quick and we were given 2 keepsake glasses. We were placed at table 5 and sat at the only 2 seats left at the table (although you are assigned a table, seating is 1st come/1st served so if you prefer to sit somewhere in particular around a table of 8, be sure to come early). There were only 7 tables with 8 seats per table, which was a good size for this interactive dinner show (you are able to hear the performers/ actors from anywhere in the room). The show is about a princess of Whussels who is thowing this ball (name of this show is called "The Un-Royal Ball") and has several body guards hired to protect her. The story line was pretty disappointing and didn't really have much of a story line. The jokes thrown in were not really that funny and just seemed to have gotten those "oh, ha-ha" chuckles here and there from the audience (which the crowd did seem to be an older crowd). The story line did seem a little predictable as well, and yes there is some raunchiness (so don't bring your kids with you, as this really isn't family friendly as the company website advertise). But the food itself was really good. Often times when you go to a dinner and show type of event, usually the food suffers in terms of taste. But the food was quite good and was catered by the hotel. You have your option of getting chicken, salmon or vegetarian (penne pasta). I went with the chicken and my husband went with the salmon. With this 4 course meal, we had: Bruschetta- This appetizer was delicious and wished I had more. Loved the pesto sauce on the bread and the diced tomatoes (made it quite refreshing). Salad & Dinner Roll- Average dinner salad. There is already 3 different types of salad dressings on the table (raspberry vinaigrette, balsamic vinegar, ranch). The dinner roll was nice and warm and pretty standard. Chicken Dinner- This dish comes with 2 pieces of breaded chicken breast with a white cream sauce, a small scoop of mashed potato and assorted steamed vegetables. The portion size of this dish was quite large. I gave one chicken cutlet to my husband and I ate the other one. I really enjoyed the assorted steamed vegetables and the mashed potato was okay. I was pretty stuffed after I had this meal and really should have only ate half of my food. Salmon Dinner- Just like the chicken dinner, this dish came with a small scoop of mashed potato and steamed vegetables. The salmon itself was a small portion (but would have been find enough for me) but cooked well. But for some reason, this one girl at our table had a huge salmon portion (looked like 3 times the size as my husband's and everyone else at our table who had the salmon too). Chocolate Bundt Cake- I was already too stuffed to eat my dessert so I took my home (don't be afraid to ask for a box, many people took their dessert home too). But I did get a bite of my husband's and it was quite rich and fudge like. Very decadent. There is also water, (unsweetened) ice tea and coffee on the table. If you want alcohol, there is a cash bar. But the line was rather long, as there is only 1 bartender and plenty of people seem to have wanted some libations for the show (so either wait in the long line for your drink or perhaps drink before coming). In the end (the show was from 6:30 pm to 8:50 pm), I had a great meal and a night out on a Saturday with my husband. The show was much to be desired and do not see myself coming back for another one. Service also could have been better.

Where to start. As a late combination Father's Day and Birthday night out, my wife bought tickets…read moreon Groupon. $79 for two for a show and dinner, OK! The $79 deal balloons when they add another $40 for taxes, gratuities ... At the time you redeem you tickets. The venue: The Courtyard in Pasadena is a nice place, clean, hip and valet parking was only $7. The room was laid out in 8 table arrangement. We sat at table 4. In the back. More on that later. There was bar service in the connecting ballroom. Don't know what the prices were for bar, but they had a steady line of traffic. The room's tables were very nicely set for what could have been a more formal dinner.. Was kind off impressed until I realized that virtually none of the setting would be used. The program laid out the night starting with hors d'oeuvres. Being that we were in the back, the hors d'oeuvres never. Made it back to us. I heard they were bruschetta. Not really sure, never got within seeing or smelling range. Water and some weird muddy tasting iced tea was provided. I can't say what kind of iced tea it was, but was reminiscent of washing my mouth out with water after being forced to eat mud pies as a kid. The table was set for coffee service, but no coffee was ever provided or offered during dinner or desert. Water service was slow at best. Hors d'oeuvres down onto the first act! Wow! I would liken the production to a play at a special ed high school. Missed lines, dyslexic delivery, poor timing, meaningless dialog. Then it happened! They moved from an advertised PG-13 into something else. I was mortified to be sitting next to my in-laws. Poorly delivered and tasteless raunchy jokes, not ever really good jokes. However, the "Lion Tamer" joke was the best of the night. While moving at a steady pace, with short acts it seemed not to drag. I guess that is a positive. Salad: Nice proportioned, everyday dinner salad. Nothing bad to say, after all it's salad. Rolls: I thought the rolls were good, probably one of the shining stars out of the food choices for the night. Dinner: Pre-selected choices of chicken, salmon or penne pasta. We had the chicken. Portion was LARGE! Breaded Parmesan crusted breasts, a white garlic sauce on top adorned with squash, carrots and mashed potatoes. Just average, not bad, not great, but not worth the cost. I saw my Father in-law fidgeting with something in his mouth, he pulled out a hair ball, not a hair, but a fully developed hair ball. We notified the service staff, which I'm not sure did any good. The penne pasta and salmon looked good, generous portions. Desert: Pre-fabricated (tasted out of a box) 1x1 cheese cake, garnished with a strawberry and chocolate with raspberry purée. I ate a couple bites and pushed it away, dreaming of a blueberry pie waiting at home. Back to the show. It began to drag as the raunch comedy continued. They were running around, in one door out another delivering meaningless lines. Not sure there was any development beyond the initial plot. Claimed to be from a fictitious country and a ball. Had nothing to do with a ball. My take: A group of college theatrical majors wanting desperately to break into the biz, craft an idea to rent out a hotel ballroom, pack it full of unsuspecting Groupon following customers, put on an ill conceived and developed play all to get a name out and cash in. Sorry. But I cannot recommend this show at this price point. Was very expensive for the level of food, service and production value. There are some great community theaters out there with much better productions and go next door for a dinner in one of then many restaurants that line our city streets. I hope this helps you in your buying decision.

Home Game Enterprizes is a comany that produces TV game shows. They have computer software to…read moreprovide the gameboards and sound effects, and they have people to act as host, announcer, and production crew. They can do almost any game show you can think of, from the past and present. I've seen them do well-known shows like The Price Is Right, Jeopardy, and Wheel Of Fortune, as well as old obscure shows like Whew and Monopoly. They appear at Strategicon, a gaming convention in Los Angeles, and one of the most popular games they do there is Press Your Luck from the mid-80s. Their game shows are so true to the TV originals that I feel like I'm really on a TV game show when I play their games. I've been to four Strategicons so far, and it's so cool that I get to live out fantasies I've had about being on game shows, as that was something I had wanted to do since I was a kid in the 70s. You can check these guys out at Strategicon (www.strategicon.net) or you can book them for private parties.

I have been lucky enough to be in attendance at several Home Game Enterprizes events as both a…read moreparticipant and audience member. They are a team of professional, enthusiastic, charismatic, knowlegeable, prompt and fun individuals. Whether it's classic shows like Pyramid and Wheel of Fortune or HGE originals, you will not be disappointed.

Lovely people, and they've professionalized a very special kind of service indeed. They really do…read moreknow how to do this. One note: while events can utilize as few as two actors (like ours did) - more actors might be better. It's clearly a lot for just two people to set up the needed audio and video equipment, place props etc, and then perform. We did feel a bit of their stress. That's not a criticism, just a suggestion for future clients. Thanks Dainty Dames!

We had a great time! The experience , from our first conversation to the delivery of show, was…read moreseamless and the customer service outstanding. It was a fun and unforgettable evening for everyone. Highly recommend!

If you like immersive theater, this is the show for you…read more It's all in the details, and they are pretty cool. First, you get a "welcome to the ward" email the day of the event. Then, once you get onsite all of the actors are in period 1950s costumes--nurses uniforms, lab coats, etc. For the first 45 minutes there is a "pre-show" where you can explore the set and interact with the characters and there is a scavenger hunt type quest you can take part in that is ingenious and totally fun with secret rooms and such. The set is also wonderful and they have lots of great touches. For example, some of the drinks at the commissary (the bar) come in a huge syringe or in a blood bag. They even have vintage magazines and games around the room. At one part in the show patients pass out "medicine" and it comes in 1950s specimen cups! The show itself is well done and clever and the actors use the space well. Also, their lighting designer is a genius. There are two different prices: one for "chronic patients" who sit and observe the show and "acute" patients who get more involved. It is about $25 more for the more immersive experience, but it isn't that immersive once the show starts--but you do get to sit closer (actually on the "stage" which is the floor of the room). A super fun, fresh, inventive theater experience!

What a wonderful time!! As always great fun, very entertaining. Everyone from GoodTimes travel had…read morea delightful time. The interaction between the actors and audience was superb!!!! The title was, "Shakespeare is Killing Me". And that was true, thought I would die of laughter. Thank you again for another fantastic performance, I cannot wait for the next one.

This is the best "out of the box" entertainment I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. My family and…read moreI had such a wonderful wonderful time watching this talented troupe entertain us that I hired them to do a corporate retreat-- which was equally as satisfying. A true gem.

I was surprised at how much fun this was, the cast truly made the difference for me. They were…read morehaving as much fun as we were. We laughed and got to play along it was a grand time.

I really miss this. I hope they bring it back. I went for many years. It was always entertaining…read moreand fun to go with friends.

Wicked Lit! Went…read morelast year for the first time and then twice this year to see both Production A (The Unnameable, the Chimes, and Cask of Amontillado) and Production B **new** (Casting the Runes, A Ghost Story, and The Body Snatcher). I brought a bunch of people with me to see Production A this year. It was amazing as always... Note to newcomers - if you are meeting people at the event, make sure that all members of your group receive the same color sticker on their program. You want to stay together in the same group. Also note that they have coffee, hot apple juice (which they insist on calling cider), and a few candy bars. $2 each or 2 items for $3. Bring cash, a jacket as you will be outside for a time, and comfortable shoes for walking and standing for short periods. The plays are immersive as you walk following the characters and story progression through the creepy and eeriliy lit long hallways of the mausoleum... and through the cemetery across the street. Most of the acting is great. Last night was unusual because they had BOTH productions going on at the same time. I was concerned that we would be running into each other in the corridors and we would lose the integrity of the individual plays with competing noise in the background. They actually handled it really well and there was only about 5 minutes when I was distracted by noise from another play. Production B was very good for the most part. I will not forget the images from Casting the Runes and The Body Snatcher. The Ghost Story however, started out GREAT but then the second half was kind of ridiculous. What annoyed me most was the fact that because it wasn't as long as the other plays and they all had to end at the same time, the guide read us "The Raven" as we walked back. Now, I take my Poe seriously and want it done right or not at all. This guy read it from the folder, lost his place a few times, used a voice that I assume was supposed to be funny (and wasn't). It just wasn't done well. If they HAD to fill up that time, (and I hope they read this review) they should have the poem read at the original site and read seriously by someone who can do it properly... by candlelight... with some thunder, rain, and lightning in the background. I was not only disappointed, but mad that it had been done so poorly. I could have read it better (and not from a folder). All in all, it's still a Halloween favorite and the location is fantastic and used well.