Murder at Mount Hope Mansion

Dates & Tickets

Enter Victorian Mount Hope Mansion, a most unique setting for a theatrical interactive dining experience. Meet and mingle with intriguing guests to the Mansion and be sure to take note as they visit guests table side while they dine. After enjoying a four-course meal and tastes of the mystery that is thick in the air, everyone will assemble in the Mansion's Theater Room for a time of interrogation, hilarity and the answer to the question on everyone's mind! Performances run Fridays, Saturdays and Select Sundays, February through April and are each roughly three hours in length.

Performance Availability

Matinee Performances (1PM) are available Saturdays & Sundays while Evening Performances (7PM) are available Fridays & Saturdays. Please check back in November for specific date and time availability!

Ticket Information

Reservations are encouraged, as there are a limited amount of tickets and perfromances sell out quickly. Murder Mystery tickets go on sale beginning during the annual Holiday Open House. Tickets can be purchased online at the Virtual Box Office beginning on Monday, November 26, 2018. 2019 Ticket pricing TBA.

Group Reservations

Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more through Mount Hope's Group Sales Department. This unique and exciting experience makes the perfect setting for our group outing! Private and/or mid-week performances can be scheduled for larger groups! To reserve your spot or to learn more, please visit PaRenFaire.com/Groups

Unique Episodes

Each year, Murder Mystery features four different stand alone episodes! Relive the excitement and take part in the mystery. More information will be available closer to the 2019 event.

Dinner Theater in the Mansion

Enjoy an enchanting four-course banquet within the historic Mount Hope Mansion while you put together the clues and help solve the mystery! Doors open 30 minutes prior to performance start time. Hors d'oeuvres served during this time. View the 2018 menu below, and check back for more information on next season's performances!

Displayed Hors d'oeuvres

Assorted Cheeses
Smoked Gouda, Havarti Dill, Muenster

Butlered Hors d'oeuvres

Shrimp & Chorizo Skewers, and Deviled Eggs

Salad

Seasonal Salad

Entrées*

Safari One Pot
Pot Roast with Roasted Carrots, Butternut Squash, Rutabagas, Tomatoes and Onions, Served with Chived Mashed Potatoes

Vegetarian Entrée
Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi

Dessert

Kilimanjaro Cake
Gluten Free, Vegetarian Chocolate Lava Cake
Served with Mini Vanilla Ice Cream Scoop

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Soda, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, Hot Tea
Non-Alcoholic Beverages Included in Ticket Price

Alcoholic Beverages

Swashbuckler Beer, Mount Hope Wine, Lancaster County Cider & Signature Cocktails
Alcoholic Beverages Available at the Cash Bar

*Regular/Gluten Free OR Vegetarian meal option must be chosen at time of ticket purchase. No substitutions. Menu subject to change without notice.

2018 Cast Information

Interact with the talented cast members inside the historic Mount Hope Mansion as you put together the clues and help solve the mystery. Guests will long remember this experience. Please Note: Cast Members marked with a bullet point (•) vary depEpisode on the performance date.

Sheila Barton•

Lady Louise Margaret, Duchess of Connaught

Kate Brighter•

Lady Louise Margaret, Duchess of Connaught

Jules Schrader

Evelyn Wright, Biologist/Naturalist

Megan Jones

Lady Portia Worthington

Pete Hedberg

Lord William Worthington Worthington

Jeff Wolfthal

Danny Carnehan, Owner of Mt. Hope Big Game Lodge

Zeb Burk

Lord John Clayton III, Viscount Greystoke

Doug Wallace•

Gordon "Gord" Vaughn, Big Game Hunter

Adam Shepley•

Gordon "Gord" Vaughn, Big Game Hunter

Production Credits

Director: Doug Wallace
Technical Director: Ian Smith

House Manager: Cian Girven
Stage Manager: Julia Bownman

Head Costumer: Lily Steiner
Stitcher/Wardrober: Natalie Lawton

Mansion Decor: Carrie Emich-Wallace
F&B Manager: Daniel Yocum

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any other questions that have not been answered below, please contact our business offices at 717-665-7021, Monday through Friday, 9AM-4PM or visit our formal comment, question and feedback page to submit an inquiry.

General Information

Where is the event located and what are the hours of operation?

The event is located inside Mount Hope Mansion on the grounds of Mount Hope Estate, home of the PA Renaissance Faire. The street address is 2775 Lebanon Rd. Manheim, PA 17545. Murder Mystery runs Fridays, Saturdays and select Sundays, February through early April. For more information on specific show times, please visit the Dates & Tickets Page.

Where do I park?

There is plenty of free parking all around the Mansion within walking distance.

What types of foods are available?

There are two food options available: Classic and Vegetarian/Gluten Free. For more information on both food choices, please visit Dining Page.

Will alcoholic beverages be available?

The Mansion bar will be open for drink purchases during the duration of the performances. Select Swashbuckler Ales, Mount Hope Wines, Lancaster County Ciders, Signature Cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks will be available at the bar. Specific bar menu options will be available the day of the performance.

Please Note: If you are visibly intoxicated, we reserve the right to no longer serve you alcohol. If you become a disturbance during the performance, we will ask you to leave the Mansion without issuing a refund.

Is gratuity included in the ticket prices?

While the ticket price does not include gratuity, any tip left by you to the hosts is at your discretion. Like any restaurant, gratuities are a special way for you to acknowledge service provided to you and should refelct your satisfaction with the service.

Can we stay in the area?

Various hotels in the area are available. Please visit our In the Area Page for specific information.

Can I take photos and video during the show?

As a courtesy to others, video/audio recording and photography are strictly prohibited during the show. Photos are permitted before introductions.

Should I leave my cell phone at home or in the car?

You may carry your cell phone with you during the performance, but please make sure to turn it off as a courtesy to others. If you need to make or retrieve a call, please excuse yourself to our front porch for the duration of the call.

What is the dress code?

The dress code is casual to business casual. The storyline changes each year, and guests are welcome to dress in time period appropriate attire, but it is not required.

Can I bring my pet?

Animals are not allowed in the Mansion except for service animals while performing their qualifying services.

Can I bring my child?

Children are welcome to attend, but require a ticket due to the limited capacity of the dinner theater experience.

Ticket Information

What do I get with my admission ticket?

With your admission ticket, you receive a sumptuous four-course meal and the chance to play the detective in this unique and exciting live dinner theater!

Where can I get tickets?

You can purchase advance tickets at the Virtual Box Office or in the Mount Hope Estate Wine Shop. It is advised to buy the tickets in advance, as performances sell out quickly.

If I cannot attend after purchasing a ticket, can I get a refund?

All sales are final. There are no refunds, exchanges, or cancellations.

Conditions of Ticket Sale

NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES. Event tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable and not for resale. Once a ticket has been scanned at the Front Gate upon entry, it is voided and no longer holds any value. The Faire does not monitor any guests’ level of participation or length of stay. Refunds are not available to guests who choose to leave. The bearer of an event ticket agrees to hold blameless and harmless Mazza Vineyards, Inc. or any of its affiliates, in the event of personal injury or loss or damage to property. The holder of the ticket assumes all responsibilities for any risk of bodily harm or loss of property sustained while attEpisode the event, and waives all rights to lay claim for damages resulting from any cause whatsoever either before, during or after the event. You must be 21 or older to purchase or consume Alcohol.

Your ID will be verified before being served alcohol. Outside food, drink and pets are not permitted. You hereby consent to the reasonable search for alcoholic beverages, drugs, or firearms. You further consent to the use of your image or likeness incidental to any display, transmission, or reproduction of the event.

Management reserves the right to refuse admission or eject any person whose conduct is deemed by management to be disorderly or who fails to comply with the terms and conditions of these conditions of ticket sale.

What will happen if there is bad weather?

Performances occur as scheduled. In the event of extreme weather conditions, guests will be notified in advance of any changes.

Mansion Information

Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is prohibited in the Mansion. If you need to go out to smoke during the performance, please note that the doors will lock behind you.

Can I bring outside food and drinks into the venue?

Outside food and drink items are NOT permitted in the Mansion with the exception of water.

Is the event ADA accessible?

Yes, all Theater in the Mansion performances are ADA accessible. There is handicapped parking available at the Wine Shop, just follow the directional signs that lead you to that area when you arrive.

Please go to the Wine Shop and inform the staff that you require the handicapped accessible entrance to the rear of the Mansion. You will be directed where to go to enter the building.