‘Crime’ for a Good Cause

Murder, mystery and mayhem, right before your very eyes and for a good cause indeed.

“The Puzzle of the Purloined Punjabi Pearls” will give patrons the opportunity to solve the case of the missing pearls in this Whodunit murder-mystery.

The Feb. 1 performance will benefit the Reginald M. Faletti Fund of the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara, which supports the theater’s presentations.

“It’s a high-action event,” Nancy Moore, Lobero Theater executive director, said. “And the mystery begins the moment you arrive.”

The audience will gather for cocktails at 6 p.m., and an Indian dinner will be served about 6:45 p.m.

“By the time dinner is ready, I’m sorry to say some crimes will have been committed,” Moore said.

Honorary hosts for the evening will be Mr. Horror himself, Vincent Price, and British actress Dame Judith Anderson.

“The audience will be divided into teams of 10, and each will compete to solve the murders,” Moore said.

Up for grabs will be future admission to theater productions, restaurant meal freebies and autographed copies of various authors’ books.

Also, round-trip air fare to Paris will be raffled and a lucky member of the audience who’s able to solve the evening’s biggest crime will win a string of authentic pearls.

The performance will be held at The Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara.

Reservations should be made as soon as possible. Tickets are $125 and going fast. Call 963-0761.