Prince George's Little Theatre to Stage Agatha Christie Mystery THE MOUSETRAP, 4/15-30

Prince George's Little Theatre will produce Agatha Christie's mystery "The Mousetrap" at the Bowie Playhouse from April 15-30. All Friday performances and Saturday performances April 16 and 23 are at 8 p.m. The Sunday performances April 17and 24 and the closing performance Saturday April 30 are 2 pm. matinees. The play is directed by Randy Barth and produced by Andrew Negri.

"The Mousetrap," which opened in London in 1952 and is still running, is the longest running play on the English stage, passing an amazing 25,000 performances in 2012. The play is full of surprises and twists that keep audiences on the edge of their seats, and they are traditionally asked at each performance to never reveal the ending. Christie determined that there would not be a film until the play closed (which she originally estimated to be in about eight months!), and so a film has never been made, helping keep the play's secrets for the enjoyment of every new audience.

Set in the great hall at Monkswell Manor, an ancient manor turned guesthouse, the play brings together eight people with a possible murderer amongst them. A couple married just one year, Mollie Ralston (Brawnlyn Blueitt) and her husband Giles (Brendan Perry) welcome their first guests to their recently inherited house as a blizzard closes the roads the day after they arrive. The aptly named Christopher Wren (Matt Leyendecker), a young architect with a macabre sense of humor and an insatiable curiosity, is the first to arrive, followed by Mrs. Boyle (Linda Smith), an abrasive and demanding older woman. Sharing her taxi from the train station is Major Metcalf (Sandy Irving), a bluff and hearty retired military man. The last expected guest is Miss Casewell (Erica Mueller), mannish and full of secrets. The guests are completed by a final unexpected guest, Paravicini (Keith Brown), whose car has overturned in a snowdrift. Arriving on skis, Detective Sergeant Trotter (Carlo Olivi), brings shocking news of a recent London murder that has left clues pointing to danger at Monkswell Manor.

In addition to the cast, the show is supported by the many hands that create the visual image that greets the audience as the play begins. Designed by Randy Barth and Keith Brown, who also heads up set construction, the set is full of gothic details that bring the gloomy old manse to life. Roy Peterson, who was nominated for two WATCH awards for set painting for the past season, is the master worker behind the set painting and decorating. Costumer Jeano Binney and her assistant Gayle Negri also play key roles in bringing to life the post-World War II time period in which the play takes place.

All performances take place at the Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Park Drive, Bowie, Maryland. Regular-priced tickets ($22 for adults and $17 for students and seniors) can be purchased at www.pglt.org, by calling (301) 937-7458, or at the box office prior to each performance if tickets are remaining. Groups of ten or more can purchase tickets in advance for $15 a ticket. There are directions to the Playhouse and more details on ticket purchases at PGLT's website: www.pglt.org.

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