Fearless Comedy centers show on Mississippi River

This year’s Murder on the Mississippi shows by Fearless Comedy Productions connect the audience to the river in a new way.
“Our show takes them right up next to the river and through the forest and flood plain. I think it’s a great opportunity to experience how beautiful our city is while also enjoying a show!” observed Midway resident Tim Wick.
Wick is one of the founding members of Fearless Comedy, which was created in 2013. He produces and co-writes the Mystery on the Mississippi shows. The murder mystery theatrical experiences have previously been offered on the Jonathan Padelford riverboat. This year, the show was a one-hour walking performance through Crosby Park. The immersive murder mystery theatrical experience is produced in collaboration with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and the Mississippi Park Connection.
“Fearless has always made it our goal to encourage members to try new things in their artistic journey and I love that adventurous spirit about the company,” said Wick. “The goal of the Mississippi Park Connection is to find new ways for people to experience the park and this show definitely does that.”
A friend of his was a park ranger with the Mississippi River Park and contacted him about creating a show to help highlight the river a few years ago. The first show was on the paddle-boat and they aimed to combine fun with interesting facts about the river and the area at a certain time period. They have returned to the riverboat several times exploring other time periods, including the Antebellum Pre-Civil Ward period, the Roaring 20s, World War II, and the 1980s.
“This year, we were asked about creating a walking tour and mystery in Crosby Farm and the challenge was really an exciting one,” remarked Wick.
The show was offered three evenings in August and September, and will be held again on Friday, Oct. 12. This year’s show is set in the early years of the city of St. Paul when the park was still being farmed by the Crosby family. In “Monsters of the Mississippi,” current-day podcasters investigate a cold case murder believed to have been committed by a local legend Catfish McGee. Was the victim killed by a giant walking catfish or is the culprit a little less sensational? The mystery unfolds during a walk through Crosby Farm.
“Theater has a great opportunity to both educate and entertain in a different way. There are so many people who may never have been on a trail in Crosby Farm in spite of the fact it is in the middle of our city,” stated Wick. “An interactive experience like Mystery on the Mississippi is a great opportunity to introduce a different group to everything the park has to offer.”
In addition to writing and producing this year’s show, Wick was also a cast member. Attendees told him how much they enjoyed the show and the park itself. One couple liked the show so much, they came a second time and brought friends, being careful to avoid spoilers.
Other local performers include director Hedy Rand-McKay and cast member Dave Rand-McKay, who reside in Frogtown.
“I’m a lifelong fan of the National Park Service and being able to create something in partnership with them is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever been a part of,” said Wick. “Whenever I can, I brag about the fact I’ve created plays for the National Park Service.”