Long before Jest’s Virtual Murder Mystery Parties got started, Jest Murder Mystery Co. was founded in St Louis, MO, in 1999, by actor, writer and director Randy Manning. Finding success with his previous murder mystery shows, Randy believed that he could produce a better show.
Randy combined professional actors with funnier writing and more participation to create murder mystery parties that are all about making sure the audience has a great time…and they do. It is a formula that works, and works well.
Since 1999 Jest Murder Mystery Co. has continued to grow and now has professional entertainers across the United States in cities like St. Louis, Memphis, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, Des Moines, Minneapolis and many more. We have performed at thousands of public venues, company parties, holiday parties, birthdays, wedding receptions and much more all across the United States. We pride ourselves on providing a quality show while always insuring that our clients guests have a great time.
In 2017, Randy decided to retire and left his daughter, Leslie Franklin, in charge of the ever growing Jest empire. Since that time Jest has seen more growth and takes pride in providing quality entertainment in all but one of the 50 states (that’s right, we haven’t performed in Alaska yet…but we’re working on that.)
After celebrating 20 years of making guests laugh, let loose and play a part in person, Covid19 hit Jest hard in 2020. With everyone in lockdown and social distancing measures in place, the Jest Murder Mystery Co. Team of genius entertainers got to work, because in entertainment “the show must go on”.
The result of months of writing, reimagining, technical innovation, rehearsals, test audiences, and rewrites Leslie and the Jest Murder Mystery Co. Team developed what we believe to be, the best darn Virtual Murder Mystery Parties available! We are proud to now offer quality virtual entertainment that meets Jest’s high standards for professionalism and just plan fun. We hope you enjoy the show!