Mystery Dinner Theater features the life and death of Paul Rainey
Pair a good dinner with a good mystery and you have the formula for an entertaining evening. That’s what is happening in New Albany on November 6 & 7, 2026, 6 p.m.at the Union County Heritage Museum.
Blue Mountain Christian University and Union County Museum are teaming up to bring history to life with the Mystery Dinner Theater “A Rainey Night”. Written and directed by BMCU Assistant Professor of Speech & Theater Christi Mitchell, and featuring 16 BMCU students and BMCU Faculty of Year, Assistant Professor of History Dr. Michael Megelsh.
The mystery is based on the real life of one of north Mississippi‘s most interesting characters, millionaire playboy Paul Rainey. There is no end of real adventures that make up this man’s life. This applied history project brings to life in an entertaining way Rainey, who was larger than life, and what really did happen to the adventurer? said Jill Smith, Museum Director. “It’ will be the ‘bee’s knees and the cat’s pajamas” to coin a couple of 1920s terms that mean something very cool.”
Paul Rainey portrait from Covington
“We are so happy to partner with Mrs. Mitchell, Dr. Megelsh and BMCU Theater Students and Honor Society. This will be a great opportunity for the audience to attend a 1920s themed event, participate in solving a possible murder and enjoy a good meal and evening’s entertainment. Attendees are invited to dress in the style of the 1920s if desired,” Smith said.
If you are familiar with Paul Rainey, you will recognize these cast real members in this production – his sister Grace Rainey Rodgers, his significant other Mae Peters Graham; Emma Little, his seamstress; Er Shelley, his dog trainer; Paul Owen his banker; and others, including former girlfriends and individuals from the rich and famous crowd who surrounded Rainey’s life.
Paul Rainey on African hunt.
Rainey’s Tippah Lodge, located near Cotton Plant, was the center of interest when he moved to the area about 1900. His investments in the first furniture factory, the first bottling company, the ice house, the first garment plant, several banks, and the Rainey Hotel changed the economic outlook for this area. He brought in the rich and famous to the area to hunt, party and enjoy the life he had created here for himself. He had homes in Newport Beach, Texas, Kenya and other locations, but called Tippah Lodge his home.
It’s 1923, the middle of the Roaring Twenties, and the stories are swirling around the party as a cast of characters share their convictions about what happened to Paul J. Rainey, the adventurer, big game hunter, spy and so much more! Did he die at sea…or did he?
You will have to attend the Mystery Dinner Theater to find out! Flapper and Dapper attire welcomed as each guest will be served a four-course meal served by the BMCU Honors Society.
Tickets for the evening $50 each. Seating is limited to 50 guests per performance.
Friday, November 6 at 6 pm
Saturday, November 7 at 6 pm
Union County Heritage Museum
114 Cleveland St., New Albany, MS 38652
The museum is allocated at 114 Cleveland St., New Albany, MS. For more information call 662-538-0014
To purchase tickets for the evening 0f your choice, click the appropriate link below..
https://forms.gle/
https://forms.gle/
— Jill N. Smith Director Union County Heritage Museum & Faulkner Garden
114 Cleveland St. New Albany, MS 38652 662-538-0014
“The past is never dead. It isn’t even past.” William Faulkner, “Requieum for a Nun”
