When my friend and I arrived to the Bissell Mansion a few weeks ago, the foyer was crowded with guests snacking on Crab Rangoon and toasted ravioli. Buttoned up for the special occasion, the two couples at our assigned table were already fast friends, laughing, joking and quick to make introductions: a Kansas City pair celebrating their 20^th anniversary and a slightly nervous couple out for one of their first dates.

The Bissell Mansion's shadowy posture overlooking the North City district sets the tone for a night of mystery theatre- especially when the theme is "It's a Wonderful Death." A parody of Frank Capra's classic "It's a Wonderful Life," the production follows a similar story line, but ties in new, outrageous characters, witty puns and an air of suspicion.  The Bissell Mansion is the oldest building in St. Louis and the ideal backdrop for this age-old tradition of storytelling.

Guests were welcomed into the mansion and assigned a script according to a pseudonym, some of them names from the original film (Clarence the Angel) and others clearly dreamed up by the staff at Bissell: Ima Pain, I.M. Devious and Dr. Willie Know. (But don't worry-everyone has the option to choose of a nonspeaking part!) George and Mary Bailey made their introductions from the center of the dining room, where throughout the evening guests were called into question concerning the death of Bailey. Three glasses of house wine later, the room was in hysterics over some of the crowd's classically awkward actors and other more confident players who were kindly ushered back to their seats.

During the intermissions between each act, waiters served a series of plates that amounted to a delicious four-course meal. I ordered the baked fish, which was presented with a nice helping of steamed vegetables. For dessert, our table seemed particularly taken by the chocolate mousse.

As the evening winded down, guests set down their cooling cups of coffee to explore the many quarters of the mansion. The building has retained some of its original signatures such as the detailing on the mantel, which dates back to the 1820's. Aside from a highly entertaining night of comedy (and mystery!), the mansion itself if worth the visit.

"It's a Wonderful Death" will be playing through the end of December. The Bissell Mansion will host "Dapper Flappers" January through April, 2012 and "Phantom of the Grand 'Ole Opry" from May through July, 2012.

For more information, please visit http://www.bissellmansiontheatre.com/History.htm or call the Bissell Mansion at 314-533-9830 or 1-800-690-9838.