Agatha Christie's SPIDER'S WEB Announced At The Long Beach Playhouse

Long Beach Playhouse "So closely woven with thrills and comedy that shocks and laughs are about 50/50" ~London Guardian Agatha Christie's Spider's Web At the Long Beach Playhouse January 12 - February 9, 2019 Long Beach, CA.

Agatha Christie wrote Spider's Web at the request of English actress Margaret Lockwood who wanted to play a character that was neither sinister nor wicked. To accommodate Lockwood's request, Christie wrote a play that parodied the mystery genre including her own works. It opened in London in 1954 and was her second longest-running play, next to Mousetrap.

"I love this show," said Executive Director, Madison Mooney. "Christie's parody of Christie is filled with both dramatic tension and laugh-out-loud hilarity. What could be better?"

The plot centers on Clarissa, a diplomatic spouse, who finds her normally entertaining and unflappable self in the middle of a drawing room murder. Not wanting to embarrass her husband, she is desperate to dispose of the body. To accomplish this task she enlists the help of her guests. Not surprisingly, everyone in the house is a suspect, even Clarissa's young stepdaughter. Hilarity ensues with the arrival of wry detective, Inspector Lord.

Sean Gray, Artistic Director for the Playhouse said, "I can't imagine a Mainstage season that didn't include an Agatha Christie production. We've been presenting her shows since 1948, and we first presented Spider's Web in 1972. Audiences love her and I'd never disappoint them. This production is outstanding."

Ryan Holihan is directing the show. This isn't his first time in the director's chair for the Mainstage. In 2016, he directed the annual production of A Christmas Carol. Holihan, a longtime fan of Christie's work, was delighted to be asked to direct the show.

As with many of Christie's plays, the show has a large cast. Its 11 actors are a mix of people who are returning and others who are debuting.

Those making their Playhouse debuts are: Tod Walker, Cameron Gray, Jasmine Sorensen and Billy Joe Fox. Returning actors are: Hayley Jackson, John Russell, Lisa J. Salas, Jim Perham, Lee Samuel Tanng, Gary Douglas and Sabrina Sonner.

The show opens January 12 and runs through February 9, 2019.

SPECIAL EVENTS

FOR THIS PLAY:

• Pay what you can Thursday January 10 - community can see this production for whatever they can afford
• Two for One Preview Friday January 11 - Tickets are $10.00
• Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on January 12 - Tickets are $27.00

Friday: Adults are $20.00, Seniors $18.00, and Students $14.00 Saturday and Sunday: Adults are $24.00, Seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00. Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1.

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