AUBURN — “Deathtrap” is filled with mind-bending twists and turns with its delightful blend of suspense and comedy. It was one of Broadway’s longest-running hits and it is coming to the Community Little Theatre on June 18-27.
“I love the fact that the audience can be laughing and at the same time be right on the edge of their seats. I marvel each night as we rehearse at the cleverness of the writing and the plotting,” said director Mary Merserve.
The play stars CLT veteran John Blanchette as Sidney Bruhl, a playwright who is trying to shake off major desperation after turning out four flops in a row.
Clifford Anderson, portrayed by Ryan Adair, is a young writer whose talent catches Sidney’s attention. Sidney believes he could steal Clifford’s sure-fire idea for a play called “Deathtrap.”
Myra, Sidney’s wife, is portrayed by Cheryl Reynolds, who has appeared in numerous CLT productions. Myra does her share of plotting, too.
Reynolds plays the role seven times in this month’s CLT production. Marian Seldes, who originated the role, played every one of its 1,809 performances over four years and earned a place in the “Guinness Book of World Records” as “most durable actress.”
Act I abounds with murders and heart-stopping surprises. The end of the act also introduces Helga ten Dorp, a psychic who drops by to tell the Bruhls that she is receiving bad vibes from the house.
Helga is played by Mary Turcotte, and there are plenty of laughs in her characterization.
Plot twists continue through Act II, when the audience meets Sidney’s lawyer, Porter Milgrim, played by Jephthah Peters.
The thrills and chills keep building, and there’s more mayhem involving a crossbow before the play reaches its totally unexpected conclusion.
“I have so enjoyed working with this cast to bring these characters to life … and death,” said Meserve, who is directing her first production for CLT. She has directed and appeared in numerous musical productions for Lyric Theatre in South Portland.
Ira Levin, author of “Deathtrap,” weaves murder, deceit, innocent dialogue with hidden sinister meanings, plot reversals, unexpected turns of events and all the classic components of mystery and horror stories into a spellbinding play.
There’s also a bit of irony connected with his remarkable record-setting “Deathtrap,” which opened on Broadway in 1978, and deals with a writer trying to come to terms with his flops. Levin wrote another play called “Break a Leg.” It opened in a nearby theater in 1979 while “Deathtrap” was still playing. It closed on its very first day.
There was a 1982 movie version of “Deathtrap,” starring Christopher Reeve, Michael Caine and Dyan Cannon.
Levin also wrote “No Time for Sergeants,” which introduced Andy Griffith in 1955.
The CLT production crew for “Deathtrap” includes Ellen Peters, mentor, and Jackie McDonald, assistant director. Dick Rosenberg built a model of the set with Jonathan Carr responsible for set decor and props. Stan Spilecki has charge of the medieval weaponry used in the play.
Completing the crew are Jason Pelletier and Katie St. Pierre, co-producers; Richard Martin, light design; Louise Keezer, costumer; Rachel Morin, publicist; Vicky Machado, stage manager; Melody Driscoll, prompter; Blanchette and Gerry Therrien, set construction assisted by Phil Vampatella, Don Libby and Spilecki.
Go and do
WHAT: “Deathtrap”
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 18-19 and 25-26; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 24; and 2 p.m. Sundays, June 20 and 27
WHERE: Great Falls Art Center, 30 Academy St., Auburn
TICKETS: $15, may be reserved by calling 783-0958 or online at www.laclt.com.
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- Mary Turcotte, left, portrays psychic Helga ten Dorp, John Blanchette plays Sidney Bruhl and Cheryl Reynolds is Myra Bruhl in Community Little Theatre’s production of “Deathtrap.”
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- John Blanchette as Sidney Bruhl, left, and Ryan Adair as Clifford Anderson rehearse a scene in Community Little Theatre’s production of “Deathtrap.”
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- Ryan Adair as Clifford Anderson, left, John Blanchette as Sidney Bruhl and Jephthah Peters as Porter rehearse a scene in Community Little Theatre’s production of “Deathtrap.”
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