Calgary’s favourite murder mystery theatre is presenting a world premiere featuring a brand new sleuth.
A Killing at La Cucina by Thomas Morgan Jones introduces mystery theatre fans to Lucia Dante, a detective who gets called in to investigate after a famous food critic dies following a meal at a five-star restaurant called Fate.
Dante must determine whether the critic’s death was due to poorly-prepared puffer fish or was a deliberate killing.
With multiple suspects to vet, Dante goes to work with an AI colleague named Isabella to crack the case.
The script was written by Jones, the artistic director of Winnipeg’s Prairie Theatre Exchange, where it was staged in February prior to its Calgary production.
“I am a huge fan of the mystery genre.” said Jones, in a media release. “Two main themes have emerged in this play: identity and morality. This play grapples with both at once, in a world of excess.”
Vertigo artistic director Jack Grinhaus, who directs, said the production is an opportunity to develop a new detective in a genre that’s always been defined by its detectives, namely characters such as Poirot, Sherlock Holmes and Phillip Marlowe, among others.
“We wanted to invent a new infamous detective, “said Grinhaus. “Thus Lucia Dante was born.”
Dante is being played by award-winning actor, writer and producer Lauren Brotman while Calgary’s Braden Griffith plays seven different parts.
The KILLING AT LA CUCINA team has just returned from Winnipeg and their time at Prairie Theatre Exchange. We're so glad to have them back!
— Vertigo Theatre (@Vertigotheatre) March 13, 2025
A KILLING AT LA CUCINA begins previews this Saturday! pic.twitter.com/Eg3cekCVHP
Previews of A Killing at La Cucina are on now through Wednesday night, with opening night set for Thursday. The show runs at Vertigo Theatre in the Calgary Tower through April 13.
For tickets and info, go here.
