Enjoy dinner, a show with Front Row Theatre Troupe at Main Street Cafe
MADISON – A new avenue for entertainment has opened in downtown Madison.
The Front Row Theatre Troupe is presenting upbeat plays at Main Street Cafe, 101 Main St.
This group is dedicated to creativity, connection and community. Front Row Theatre Troupe provides opportunities for local playwrights, performers and audiences to experience the magic of live theatre together. (@ front_ row_theatre_troupe) Nine Soden is the troupe’s founder.
Their next production will be “The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim” by Agatha Christie. Stephanie Hyatt handled stage adaptation.
This whodunit follows the departure of a wealthy businessman who mysteriously vanishes without a trace. Legendary detective Hercule Poirot is determined to uncover the truth. Filled with twists, clues and classic Christie intrigue, this adaptation brings one of Poirot’s most famous cases to the stage, according to Front Row Theatre Troupe. (mainstreetcafemadison.com/ dinner-theater) The performance schedule offers evening performances on Aug. 27-29. The cast will present an afternoon show on Aug. 30.
For the evening shows (Thursday, Friday and Saturday), guests will check in for dinner from 6 to 6:15 p.m. Guests will have dinner from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Following a 15-minute intermission, the performance will start at 7:15 p.m.
For the afternoon show (on Sunday), guests will check in from 1 to 1:15 p.m. Lunch will be served at 1:15 p.m., and guests will have an intermission at 2 p.m. The play will open at 2:15 p.m.
The meal follows a theme to match the play. For “The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim,” guests will have sparkling elderflower lemonade with fresh mint for the welcome reception. The “Confidential File Salad” will include mixed greens with candied pecans, dried cranberries, goat cheese, cucumber and champagne vinaigrette. “Missing Clue French Onion Soup” has a rich beef broth, caramelized onions, toasted baguette and melted Gruyere cheese.
The entree will be “The Businessmen’s Last Supper,” an herb-crusted pork tenderloin with red wine demi-glace with garlic whipped potatoes and roasted asparagus. The dessert, “The Sweet Conclusion: Vanilla Bean Cheesecake,” is topped with raspberry puree and fresh berries.
Nina Soden is serving as Director, with Stacy Neuberger-von Hoffman as Assistant Director. The cast includes Shannon Coy (Poirot); Carrie Smithson (Hastings in Thursday and Friday shows); Duncan Andrew Watkins (Hastings in Saturday and Sunday shows); and Jacquelyn Bernard (Japp).
Tickets including the complete meal cost $60. To buy tickets, visit mainstreetcafemadison.com/ dinner-theater, and click “BUY TICKETS.” On the new window, select the date you plan to attend in the “PICK A DATE” calendar. Select the number in your party in “PICK A PARTY SIZE.” Indicate the day to attend in “PICK A PRODUCT.” On the new windows, type your contact information and payment details.
Front Row Theatre Troupe plans an October production of “The Belles of Whitechapel The Victims of Jack the Ripper Speak” by WJR Miller. Performance dates will be Oct. 22-24.


