About
Murder Cafe
Murder Café is the creation of actor, writer and director Frank Marquette along with his wife and producing partner, Kristen. They have been serving quality entertainment for both public and private events since 1998 and their menu includes: original and customized scripts, professional performers and singers, one-of-a-kind production values and the marketing and publicity skills needed to ensure the success of each event.
After an 11 year run in Las Vegas, the Marquettes brought Murder Café to the Hudson Valley area of New York State in 2009. Primarily known for comedies, musicals and murder mysteries, Murder Café provides entertainment for:
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Company and Holiday Parties
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Fundraising Events
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Schools and Colleges
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Casinos and Conferences
WE'RE MORE THAN COMEDY & MURDER
Theatre of the Road, the parent company of Murder Cafe, offers more traditional theatre pieces such Poe’s Live, A Christmas Carol, Whiskey Women, War of the Worlds, Dracula, Arsenic and Old Lace and A Taste of Shakespeare. These productions, along with a selection of music, comedy, drama and variety shows area available to be performed at almost any location including cafes, restaurants, theaters, performance spaces and schools. Theatre on the Road also specializes in "living history" and produces and performs at historic sites in Kingston, Hurley and Rhinebeck, New York.
WE DON'T PLAY GAMES
Murder Café may not be what you think; starting with we are not in the Clue game business. We produce and perform fully scripted original plays with interactive elements. Audience participation is welcome but not required.
LET US PLAN AND PROMOTE YOUR EVENT
Over the past 26 years there isn’t much Murder Café hasn’t done. We have participated in:
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Fundraising events headlined by nationally known performers
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Event hosting and emceeing
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Re-enactments including historical and literary characters
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Ghost tours with surprise visits from celebrated spirits
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Motivational workshops that are uniquely entertaining
Whether you’re looking to entertain or educate your group, Murder Café has a solution. Let us help you plan and promote your next event.
OUR TEAM
FRANK MARQUETTE has been involved with hundreds of interactive comedy plays since 1994. Performing since the age of 17, Frank has appeared with many theatre groups in New York, Nevada and New Mexico. As an actor and director Frank has collaborated with the Manhattan Repertory Company in New York City. As a playwright his original script, Murder Me Always, will be produced by Mohonk Mountain House in 2018. In addition, he has produced, written and emceed variety shows for many charitable causes. Frank's on camera work has included national commercials for Konica, a featured role on "Unsolved Mysteries", dozens of local and regional commercials and a key role in the PBS original production, "The Greatest Man in the World". Frank was recently scene as a cook in season 2 of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" on Amazon Prime.
KRISTEN MARQUETTE not only specializes in the design and construction of original costumes, she also contributes to the writing of each script. While Frank can be seen performing with the troupe, Kristen brings her considerable talents to the backstage area. As a professional makeup and hair stylist with 30 years experience, Kristen dresses and prepares each actor before the show and pays attention to all of the details that make each show a success. She is the owner-operator of Studio KTM in Red Hook, New York, an organic color salon.
A note from Frank...
When I entered the world of murder mystery dinner theater, as an actor, 28 years ago, I never thought I would be writing this. Murder Cafe exceeded all expectations and broke all previous records in 2023. In our 25th year in operation we delivered 51 performances at 24 different venues. In addition to 48 "one nighters", Murder Cafe produced mystery weekends at three major resorts. I'm thrilled to report 2024 also looks extremely promising; my new calendar has already had quite a workout. Congratulations to Murder Cafe's cast and crew for our unparalleled success in 2023 and for the ongoing support of our venues and audiences. As we enter the holiday season I remain very thankful.
- Frank Marquette, Owner-Operator
PS: We are now booking 2025!