New Downtown Dinner Theatre will invite patrons to dine and catch a show off Mass Ave

Mass Ave has a new option for those who'd like to dine and catch a show under one roof. Two nonprofits — the Murat Shrine of Indiana and On-Stage Live Entertainment — have joined to launch the Downtown Dinner Theatre at the Murat Shrine Center, according to a release from the organizations.

The venture will open May 2 with "Imagination," a musical revue centered on songs about bringing dreams to life. After entering on the north side of the Murat Shrine Center, patrons will have a three-course dinner by Grafton Peek Catering in the Oasis Restaurant & Bar and Tunisian Room. They'll then move to the Arabian Room, which can seat about 180 people, for the show.

"This move is re-energizing for both organizations, which are focused on fellowship and community," said Murat Shrine Potentate Scott Roberts in a news release. "It will broaden the exposure of Murat Shrine and On-Stage LIVE! Entertainment to attract new audiences to help us both grow. It's also a win for the city, which gains a new dining and performing arts entertainment option for residents, visitors and conventioneers." 

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The dinner theater experience is inside the Murat Shriners portion of the Murat Shrine Center, Chris Tompkins, On-Stage Live Entertainment's executive and artistic director, told IndyStar via email. That area is separate from the Old National Centre venues programmed by Live Nation, which are also housed inside the historic building.

The Murat Shrine of Indiana and On-Stage Live Entertainment have invested more than $100,000 in facility improvements for the Arabian Room ,including stage draperies, lighting, sound system, tech booth, seating and more.

On-Stage Live Entertainment, which specializes in musical revue-style shows, is led by Tompkins, whose career has included directing entertainment on cruise lines, planning major events in Las Vegas and starting luxury hotel brands in Florida. Tompkins also founded Stage to Screen Studios in 2018 on the south side and grew the business into a catered cabaret theater before closing during the pandemic in 2020 . Since 2023, On-Stage Live Entertainment has produced shows in Indianapolis and Greenwood .

"The Murat's iconic architecture, historic location, accessibility, available parking, beautiful interior venues, and proximity to Mass Avenue is outstanding," Tompkins wrote IndyStar in an email. "On-Stage LIVE's signature musical revues are always uniquely different and feature powerful cast artists, beautiful costumes, and visually stunning set designs."

That production value will be on display across six Downtown Dinner Theatre shows that will take place from May through December. Here's the full schedule and how to buy tickets:

• May 2-18: Imagination

• June 6-22: City Lights

• July 11-27: Celebrate America

• Sept. 5-21: Broadway Off Broadway

• Oct. 17-31: Halloween

• Nov. 28-Dec. 21: The Magic of Christmas

Show tickets that include dinner and brunch are $80 for adults and $70 for seniors. Lunch tickets are $70 for adults and $60 for seniors. Soft drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails are available for additional purchase. 

Patrons can buy tickets at downtowndt.com  or by calling the box office at 317-635-2433, ext. 190. People can also visit the box office at the Murat Shrine Center, 501 N. New Jersey St. from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and for two hours before each dinner theater experience.

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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: New Downtown Dinner Theatre will offer meals and shows at the Murat