‘Gin & Sin’ murder mystery at St. Ann’s

St. Ann’s Episcopal Church transformed into Sayville’s hottest 1920s-themed speakeasy, “The River Room,” for one-night-only last Friday, during a murder-mystery event which raised money for local nonprofits.

The CM Performing Arts Center presented the murder-mystery experience “Gin & Sin,” which fundraised for St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and The People’s Arc of Suffolk, which has operated a center on the church grounds for over a year.

“We are bringing people who have not come here before and raising money for three great nonprofits,” said the Rev. Dr. Ben Brenkert of St. Ann’s as guests made their way to their seats. “It’s a wonderful opportunity.”

The night began with attendees, some of whom dressed in Roaring ’20s attire, filling the pews of St. Ann’s, which was built by Isaac Green in the late 19th century. Fr. Brenkert then gave a short sermon, transporting attendees to Sept. 18, 1922. Brenkert remembered the late Edith Morse Evans, an actual St. Ann’s parishioner who was one of only four first-class victims of the RMS Titanic sinking 10 years earlier.

“She was incredibly generous and devout, a loving daughter and a friend, a hero to those in need,” Brenkert said. “A hero until her last breath, who gave up her very own seat on one of the very last lifeboats in order to save a desperate mother to return to her children.”

After his sermon, a sneaky fellow named Barnabus Sly, played by actor Will Logan, approached the pulpit, inviting the attendees to traverse St. Ann’s winding passageways to the club, “The River Room.”

Entering “The River Room,” located in a spacious back fellowship room, guests received free drink tickets courtesy of Loughlin Vineyard, and mingled while purchasing drinks, and making their way to their tables. Dim blue and purple lights lit the walls, while parasols and trumpets dangled overhead across the temporary jazz club.

The murder mystery, written by Ashlyn Frank, came about through collaboration between St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and CM Performing Arts Center. Marc Hollid-Ausset, president and CEO of CM Performing Arts Center, said Fr. Brenkert approached his organization asking if they could partner in conducting a murder mystery. After touring the church grounds for potential story and venue ideas, Brenkert showed the CM Performing Arts crew a plaque dedicated to Morse Evans, the Titanic victim, located next to the right-side pews.

From there, the idea to theme the murder mystery around Morse Evans and the Prohibition Era was cemented, and for weeks, the actors prepared their lines as the three nonprofits prepared for the big night.

Club owner Donny Croak, played by Andrew Lenahan, introduced singer Kitty Fontaine, played by Laura Laureano, and pianist Charlie Keys, played by Bobby Peterson, who entertained guests to jazz standards during and after dinner.

Then, the crimes occurred. First, the lights suddenly went out, and when they flickered back, Kitty Fontaine’s necklace had been stolen. As accusations went flying, the lights dimmed again, and “attendee” Edgar Price, played by Brendan Noble, was dead on the ground to the shock of attendees, including his “fiancée” Margaret Walter, played by Tiana Himmel.

The guests pieced together the clues, and figured out each character’s real identities and motives, leading to some attendees shouting, “I knew it!” when it was revealed Margaret stole the necklace. The piece of jewelry had “belonged to the church” and was originally owned by Susan Walter, the supposed Titanic survivor Morse Evans gave her seat up for, and mother of Margaret Walter. Kitty was found to have murdered Edgar Price due to fear of being caught for her previous criminal deeds.