The Middlesborough Little Theatre (MLT) performed an original mystery, “The Spy Who Loved Me … Not!”, at Pine Mountain State Resort Park on Feb. 16. Co-written and directed by Amy Simpson and Jessie Surber, this was the third collaboration between MLT and the park.

Last year, the Little Theatre staged another mystery play, “You Get What You Pay For”, as well as a reprisal of Orlin Corey’s “Book of Job.”

According to Simpson, this year’s cast performed to a sell-out crowd of 205.

“All of the money raised will fund scholarships for area high school graduates,” she says. “Last year, we were fortunate to distribute $3,000 among six local students. This year, we hope to give even more.”

After dining on a meal that included chicken, steak and tiramisu, the audience participated in the interrogation of the suspects.

“Our audience was a lot of fun,” says Simpson. “Some of them even lay on the floor and took selfies with the victim.”

The evening also held a few surprises. Bell County Jailer Gary Ferguson, as well as the Honorable Bobby and Charla Costanzo, made cameo appearances.

“They were all great sports,” says Simpson, “especially considering they had to miss part of the Kentucky-Tennessee game.”

At the close of the evening, the audience cast votes for the suspect most likely to have committed the murder. Those who voted correctly had their names drawn from a bucket. Amy Steele Russell was the grand prize winner, taking home a gift basket from Pine Mountain State Resort Park as well as two tickets to MLT’s spring production, “Steel Magnolias.”

Simpson says that MLT always enjoys working with Keith Bowling, Parks Program Services Supervisor, and the staff at Pine Mountain.

“We love continuing our relationship with MLT,” says Bowling. “They always put on a great show, and I think this was their best yet.”

MLT will perform “Steel Magnolias” at Middlesboro’s Central Auditorium, April 11-14. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 606-499-4060.