Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP Set for Avon Players This March

Mystery lovers will be riveted by the whodunit from master of the genre, Agatha Christie, as Avon Players presents in Avon Players' The Mousetrap, running March 10-25.

The news on the radio at Monkswell Manor relates a brutal murder that has recently taken place. Newlywed proprietors Mollie (Emily Locke) and Giles Ralston (Justin Kazanowski) hardly notice the news as they are too busy preparing the once-regal estate that they have converted into a guesthouse for the arrival of their first guests-and are concerned that the blizzard raging outside may hamper their arrival. Nevertheless the guests do arrive, including neurotic and overly familiar Christopher Wren (Kyle Bushre), judgmental Mrs. Boyle (Michele Colosi), and amiable ex-military man Major Metcalf (Kevin Curtis). The last expected guest to arrive is Miss Casewell (Marie Burchi), who relates more details about the recent murder. The party is soon joined by an unexpected guest, elderly foreigner Mr. Paravicini (Scott Wickson), whose car has overturned in a snowdrift. Knowing that the snow has them trapped, the inhabitants are distressed to learn that a police sergeant (Steve Grady) has been dispatched to the Manor in spite of the weather. Realizing that they know little about each other, everyone quickly becomes suspicious of everyone else. Soon, the phone is dead as is one of the guests. Utterly isolated, the remaining inhabitants seek to recreate the events that led to the strangulation. Will they unravel the mystery before the killer takes another victim?

The Mousetrap has the distinction of being the longest continuously running play in history. The production in London's West End opened in 1952 and continues to this day, with audiences traditionally being asked not to reveal the twist ending upon leaving. The Guinness Book of World Records lists playwright Agatha Christie as the best-selling writer of all time, her novels having sold roughly two billion copies. Her estate claims that her works, which have been translated into over one hundred languages, come in third in the rankings of the world's most published books, after the works of Shakespeare and the Bible.

Tickets for all shows are $18 ($16 on Sundays for students and seniors). Call 248.608.9077 for tickets or order online at www.avonplayers.org. Group rates are available by calling the box office. "Like" Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. All seats are reserved. Show dates and times: Friday, March 10 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 11 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, March 12 2:00 p.m.; Friday, March 17 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 18 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, March 19 2:00 p.m.; Friday, March 24 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, March 25 8:00 p.m.

Cast and Production Staff by Community:

Clarkston

Scott Wickson ("Mr. Paravicini")

Bloomfield Hills

Kyle Bushre ("Christopher Wren")

Ferndale

Justin Kazanowski ("Giles Ralston")

Macomb

Sharon Jourdan (Set Dress)

Oakland

Dorothy Sedlock (Set Dress)

Orion

Marie Burchi ("Miss Casewell")

Ortonville

Joy Oetjens (Director)

Pontiac

David Reynolds (Assistant Director)

Ray

Kevin Curtis ("Major Metcalf")

Rochester

Nick Kibler (Sound Design)

Rochester Hills

John (JD) Deierlein (Lighting Design)

Peggy Deierlein (Props Design)

Brad Holoday (Set Design)

Louise Holoday (Hair/Make-up Design)

Michelle Kaiser (Costume Design)

Emily Locke ("Mollie Ralston")

Shelby Township

Jennifer Combs (Costume Design)

Mark Palmer (Producer)

Sterling Heights

Steve Grady ("Sergeant Trotter")

Warren

Michele Colosi ("Mrs. Boyle")

Founded in 1947, Avon Players is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit community theatre located along the winding banks of Stoney Creek in the quaint Historic District of Rochester Hills, only about two miles from the heart of downtown Rochester. Avon Players has been performing shows in its unique A-frame theater since 1965. With ticket prices set at a fraction of those at professional theatre (plus free parking and concessions on a donation basis) a family of four can experience a sensational live theatrical event for about the cost of one ticket at a "downtown" venue. And for regular theatre-goers, an affordable outing can be an even better bargain by taking advantage of Avon Players' season ticket packages, which yield discounts of up to 21% per ticket. Additionally, season ticket holders enjoy priority seating selection and voting privileges in Avon's annual "Stoney Awards." Additional information regarding tickets and productions is available by calling the Avon Players box office at 248.608.9077 or by visiting the website at www.avonplayers.org.

Pictured: Steve Grady as Sergeant Trotter, Kyle Bushre as Christopher Wren and Emily Locke as Mollie Ralston in Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap.

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