Long Run Champion - Agatha Christie's Classic 'The Mousetrap'

Lake Worth Playhouse Presents March Murder Mystery: Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP  

The Lake Worth Playhouse continues its 57^th season with the Agatha Christie classic murder mystery, THE MOUSETRAP.  The show runs from March 5 through March 21 at The Playhouse, located at 713 Lake Avenue in downtown Lake Worth.   

Murder lurks around every corner in Dame Agatha Christie's classic tale of mystery and intrigue - THE MOUSETRAP.  When newlywed couple Giles and Mollie Ralston hang out their shingle and prepare to become neophyte innkeepers of the recently inherited Monkswell Manor, they can't possibly predict the intrigue that is about to ensue. On their first night of business and in the midst of a raging blizzard, one of their five guests is strangled to death. The assorted collection of peculiar lodgers is interrogated, one by one, revealing that each harbors a dark secret.

For more than 56 years, THE MOUSETRAP has been thrilling audiences in London's West End.  The longest running play in the world first opened at The Ambassadors Theatre in 1952 and starred the great Sir Richard Attenborough.  Since then, many illustrious actors have taken roles in "The cleverest murder mystery of the British Theatre" (The Daily Telegraph).  The origins of the play prove Christie was a favorite with the British Royal family.  Sir Peter Saunders, the original producer of THE MOUSETRAP wrote:

"When the late Queen Mary was approaching her eightieth birthday, she was asked by the BBC what she would like to celebrate the event - anything from Shakespeare to opera. Queen Mary said she would like 'an Agatha Christie play' and Mrs. Christie promptly wrote a thirty-minute radio production called THREE BLIND MICE. This was eventually to become THE MOUSETRAP! It was some years later that Agatha Christie asked me to lunch with her. Over the coffee she handed me a brown paper parcel and said: 'This is a little present for you.' The present was the script of THE MOUSETRAP. "The production celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2002 with a special Gala Performance attended by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.  Audiences can now watch THE MOUSETRAP at its new home at St. Martin's Theatre.

Since opening in the West End of London in 1952, THE MOUSETRAP has been running continuously. It has had the longest initial run of any play in history, with more than 24,000 performances to date. It is the longest running show of any type of the modern era. Like most of Agatha Christie's stories, the play is known for its "twist ending," which audiences are asked not to reveal. 

The Playhouse production of THE MOUSETRAP is directed by Richard Green. The cast includes Neil Evangelista and Megan Pollak as Giles & Mollie Ralston the newlywed couple who recently inherited Monkswell Manor; J. Paul Heiner as Detective Sergeant Trotter, a policeman who fights his way through the blizzard to protect the inn's guests from the murderer; Richard Iverson as Christopher Wren, a hyperactive and peculiar young man who admits he is running away from something but refuses to admit what; Lisa Kerr as the highly critical Mrs. Boyle who is seemingly impossible to please;  Bill Manikas as retired army officer Major Metcalf;  Neleigh Olson as Miss Casewell, a strange and  aloof young woman who speaks offhandedly about the horrific experiences of her childhood; and David Shapiro as Mr. Paravicini, a mysterious stranger with a foreign accent of unknown origin. The set is designed by Richard Green, and lighting design is by Norma Dobrikow-O'Hep.    

Opening Night for THE MOUSETRAP is Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:00 PM. Performances take place at 8:00 PM on March 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20; with weekend matinees at 2:00 PM on March 7, 13, 14, 20, 21; and a Sunday evening show at 7:00 PM on March 14.  THE MOUSETRAP closes Sunday, March 21.      

The Playhouse Dinner & Show preview night is Thursday, March 4, 2010 and includes a pre-show dinner at L'Anjou Restaurant (French cuisine) in downtown Lake Worth prior to the 8:00 PM performance for a single $50 ticket price.
  
Individual show tickets are $25 and $29 and can be purchased through the Lake Worth Playhouse Box Office at 561-586-6410 or online at lakeworthplayhouse.org. Opening night VIP tickets are $36 and include a pre-show reception with hot hors d'oeuvres and wine and cheese. Dinner & Show tickets are $50 and include a three-course meal at L'Anjou Restaurant.

Lake Worth Playhouse is located at 713 Lake Avenue in Downtown Lake Worth. It is situated on the south side of Lake Avenue two blocks east of Dixie Highway. Free, well-lighted parking is available on Lake Avenue and surrounding side streets, with free parking lots located behind The Playhouse.

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