'The Mousetrap' That Roars

Can a theater think of a better way to entertain a summer audience by presenting a blizzard through a window on the stage as you find your seat? You not only get chills by looking at the snow storm you'll get chills watching this terrific presentation of Dame Agatha Cristie's masterpiece The Mousetrap.

 The Mousetrap began as a short story. Queen Mary, a huge Christie fan, commissioned the work in 1947 and it was initially presented as a radio play broadcast on the BBC in 1952 with the title Three Blind Mice.  On October 6, 1952, after a seven-week tour, the play opened in London at the Ambassadors Theatre, later transferred to the St. Martin's Theatre in 1974 where you can STILL see this show which is labeled as the longest running play in the world (with over 23, 000 performances).  And when you see this mystery of the Olney Theatre Center, you can understand why.

 According to Artistic Director Jim Petosa, "No play or genre has been more requested by Olney patrons that Agatha Christie murder mysteries. In response to that demand, we are happy to return the Olney tradition of the summer thriller."

John Going (an Associate Artistic Director at Olney) has directed over 30 productions at the OTC. He continues his deft hand with a masterful job aided by an incredible cast of characters.

 But first one must applaud the amazing set by James Wolk who is responsible for the terrific snow storm what one can view through the floor-to-ceiling Tudor style window in great hall of the guest house called Monkswell Manor, about thirty minutes outside of London. The set is so authentic you can see the wallpaper stains towards the ceiling. All of the action takes place in this large room with enough doors for the requisite sight gags.

The new owners of the "Manor" are newlyweds.  Giles Ralstons (Scott Barrow) and his wife Mollie (Julie-Ann Elliott, who has the looks and the talent of Carol Burnett) are expecting their first guests in the middle of a blizzard.  Guest #1 is Christopher Wren (Jeffries Thaiss) who's wild red hair, maniacal laugh, and child-like charm is endearing to Mollie. Guest #2 is Mrs. Boyle (Cornelia Hart) an elderly demanding individual who complains endlessly about dirt and the lack of servants. Guest #3 is Miss Casewell (Mary Beth Wise) a mysteries woman who arrives in trousers.  Guest #4 is Major Metcalf (Harry A. Winter so terrific in the OTC's 1776 as Benjamin Franklin) a courtly gentleman.

All of these individuals have reservations and are expected. There is one more unexpected guest, Mr. Paravacini (Paul Morella), a typical villainous character one could imagine, with a strong Italian accent, a white stripe in his hair, and a pencil moustache and oh, so charming. Paravacini's car crashed into snow bank nearby.

As the play begins, a radio announces there's been a murder in London.  Before you can say BOO, a member of the local constabulary, Detective Sgt. Trotter (Andrew Grusetskie) arrives via his cross-country skies to warn the inhabitants there may be a killer among them.

I'm not sure which came first, but I was reminded of the game of "Clue". There are accusations and suspicions galore as the guests try to guess who the next victim will be and who the murderer might be.

It's a delicious ride to take.

This entertaining ensemble is aided by terrific lighting by F. Mitchell Dana and appropriate costumes by Liz Covey. Composer James Prigmore adds a lovely Irish jig which allows Elliott to proudly present her dancing prowess.

Special mention goes to Leigh Wilson Smiley, the dialect coach, for making the cast sound like they're actually performing on the London stage.

The Mousetrap is a lovely piece of theater. Bring the kids. Let them try to guess the ending.  Thanks to the Olney Theatre Center for bringing a bit of the British Isles to Maryland.

Finally, kudos to the Olney staff for the clever attachment of a small magnifying glass to the press kit to get one in the mood. For tickets, 301-924-3400 or visit www.olneytheatre.org. The Mousetrap has been extended and will now run to July 20.

If you're a fan of British mysteries, there's the PBS' "Masterpiece Mystery".  Tony Award-winner Alan Cumming will host eight episodes this summer. There's also "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Series VII" beginning this week and starting in July the terrific "Foyle's War, Series V". Don't miss this one.

MORE OLNEY NEWS:

This week Stuff Happens by David Hare opens at the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab through July 20.  The play addresses how and why we went to war in Iraq.

FREE THEATER?? Yes, the OTC is presenting  The Two Gentlemen of Verona, a production of the National Players until June 29 (except June 22-25). Show times are at 8:15 p.m. with a special matinee on Saturday, June 28 at 1:30 p.m. You are asked to bring lawn chairs and blankets and you arrive early and picnic.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

Photos by Sara Barouh