“Crak, Bam, Dead!” brings a storm-battered mansion, a mahjong tournament gone wrong, and a stage full of suspects to Melbourne Beach this November.

MELBOURNE BEACH, FL — The tiles are set, a storm is approaching, and someone is about to lose more than just a game! The South Beach Players, a local community theater group on the Space Coast, are preparing to present their first-ever murder mystery comedy, and audiences are in for an evening of laughter, suspense, and surprises.

Crak, Bam, Dead!, a hilarious new play written by Clark Semmes, brings together socialites, mobsters, and a colorful group of suspicious characters for a high-stakes mahjong tournament at a private island mansion.

What begins as an exciting evening of friendly competition quickly takes a deadly turn. With a powerful storm raging outside, hidden secrets coming to light, and a mysterious murder, everyone becomes a suspect. The audience will have an opportunity to follow the clues and help solve the mystery.

“We’ve done comedy, we’ve done drama — but we’ve never asked the audience to catch a killer,” said Pam Harbaugh, director of the play. “This one’s a game night nobody will forget.”

A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT MAHJONG

Mahjong has an interesting history filled with competition and excitement. The game originated in China during the mid-to-late 1800s and became popular as a fast-paced pastime, particularly among men who enjoyed gambling.

In the early 1900s, American businessman Joseph Park Babcock helped introduce mahjong to the United States. By 1922, a major advertising campaign sparked a nationwide craze.

In 1937, a group of Jewish women in New York City established the National Mah Jongg League to standardize the American version of the game. Today, mahjong continues to bring people together for friendly competition, strategy, and fun.

For those interested in learning more about the game, join cast members at the mahjong tables every Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Nancy Higgs Community Center.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Location: St. Sebastian’s-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Fellowship Hall, 2010 Oak Street, Melbourne Beach, Florida.

Performance Dates: November 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22.

Tickets: $20 per person.

Tickets are available through Eventbrite, at the door, or at Melbourne Beach Properties, located at 6680 S. Highway A1A in Melbourne Beach.

ABOUT THE SOUTH BEACH PLAYERS

What started with a dream, determination, and a love for live theater has grown into a special part of the Melbourne Beach community.

The South Beach Players have built a reputation for bringing entertaining productions to local audiences while celebrating the creativity and talent found right here on the Space Coast.

With plenty of laughter, unexpected twists, and a mystery waiting to be solved, Crak, Bam, Dead! promises to be one of their most entertaining productions yet.

Make plans to attend, enjoy a great evening of community theater, and see if you can figure out whodunit before the final curtain falls!