MOUNDSVILLE — An elf best known for spying on children from various shelves threatens Santa Claus’s authority in Mystery Theatre Unlimited’s all-new original musical-comedy murder mystery, “Slay Ride 7: The Butt- cracker Suite.”

The dinner theater show will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Friday, at the Genesis Event Center, 121 Jefferson Ave., Moundsville, and at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at River City Restaurant, 1401 Main St., Wheeling, and at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Vue Bar & Grill in Grand Vue Park, Moundsville, and at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at River City Restaurant.

In the show, Santa Claus is about to stage a major production at the North Pole, starring his wife and directed by his chief elf, Elfish Prezley. But Santa’s financial mismanagement of the production has resulted in the foreclosure of his workshop.

Arriving from the bank to take control are Santa’s arch-rival, Anti-Santa, and his corporate henchman, Elf on the Shelf.

It all leads up to hilarious complications, several parodies of seasonal songs and a very silly murder.

The cast includes Vera Barton-Maxwell, Dustin Heavilin, Butch Maxwell, Joel Nau, and Renee Storm. Sean Decker is understudy.

Written by Maxwell and Bert Furioli, the show is the seventh in a series of “Slay Ride” Christmas shows written specifically for Mystery Theatre Unlimited, and the 52nd original comedy written by the team since 1996. All shows blend broad comedy, farce, musical parodies, and a murder mystery. Some audience members will also play small parts in the shows.

The tickets cover an all-you-can-eat buffet and the show. For reservations at Genesis Event Center, call 304-844-9359. For the shows at River City and the Vue, reservations may be made by calling 304-233-4555.

Private parties for any Mystery Theatre production are available by calling 304-280-8681.

For more information, see www.MysteryTheatreUnlimited.com