GULFPORT -- The Godfather is hosting a birthday party for his loyal friends. Except not all of his friends are so loyal.
A “Mafia Murder Mystery Dinner” series opens Fri., Nov. 12, that will help construct a first-class bocce facility by the Mississippi Society of Italian Americans (MS SOFIA) at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Woolmarket. The murder mystery will feature cast members Jimmy Duggan of St. Mary’s, Lucy Sutherlin, an Our Lady of Fatima School teacher, and Harrison County District Five Supervisor Connie Rockco.
A homemade lasagna bolognese dinner will precede the shows at 6 p.m. on Fri. and Sat., Nov. 12 and 13 (showtime is 7 p.m.), and at 1 p.m. on Sun., Nov 14 (showtime is 2 p.m.). If the opening weekend sells out, an encore weekend of performances will be held Nov. 19-21.
The dinner theatre will be performed by Downstage Productions at its theater located at 12100 Highway 48, #418, Gulfport. Tickets are $40 and can be reserved via Downstage@Simpletix.com.  Advance reservations are required.  For more information, call (228) 324-5041