Review: Christie's Treasured MOUSETRAP Catches Milwaukee's Applause and Imagination at The Rep

Milwaukee Repertory Theater transports London's inimitable West End theater tradition to Milwaukee on their Quadracci Powerhouse stage. One of the theater's most successful playwrights, Agatha Christie, and her murder mystery The Mousetrap, haunt and humor theatergoers this November and December. The beguiling Mousetrap production places several unusual characters in a guest house while snowbound in a small town near London. There's no where for anyone to escape after a seemingly unrelated murder occurs, and the audience applauds every moment as the nursery rhyme tune "Three Blind Mice." plays in the background several times during the performance while the guests figure out why they are all considered suspects.

Two twenty-something Marquette University alums were in the audience that evening to celebrate Christie and her amazing literary legacy---both young women were long time fans of the highly acclaimed British author and playwright. One woman returned opening night after catching the play's preview earlier in the week, and discovered nuances in this performance, including a tweaked finale, still entranced by the script even after seeing the lush production again.

Christie's Mousetrap certainly captures the imagination of all ages, especially for the author's and any murder mystery fans. Her classic who-done-it story has been produced infrequently anywhere else outside London due to limited copyrights, and Milwaukee was exceptionally fortunate to have this unique opportunity to stage the production. Accompanied by a renowned cast and artistic team, including Director J.R. Sullivan, who began at The Rep during 1987/88, along with Costume Designer Rachel Laritz, Lighting Designer Jason Fassl, and Scenic Designer Jack Magaw, who recreates a historic house where snow can be seen through the leaded glass windows, and the audience feels right at home with the cast on opening night. With the first snow fall of the season scheduled to appear in the city, the gorgeous white drifts in the background became a welcoming sight for the holidays ahead.

In Christie's play, the newly married Ralston's first day as owners of their dream-come-true Guest House turns quickly into a nightmare when a murder is committed in nearby London. As the various guests arrive for their initial night during a snowstorm, Detective Sergeant Trotter arrives on skis to provide protection. "Protection," Mollie Ralston asks, "what for?"

Trotter explains he thinks the guests are here for a very specific reason in connection with the London murder. Not one guest believes another murder will happen, even though the Sergeant believes there might be two more murders planned to complete the trio sung of in "Three Blind Mice." The nursery rhyme used in this play closely relates to a couple who housed three foster children with horrific results, and one of the children was killed when staying at the foster home.

With the clever and inventive mystery on stage, this impressive cast challenges the audience to determine the killer while sitting on the edge of their seats. Milwaukee's Kelley Faulkner creates a most charming Mollie Ralston, alongside her more pragmatic husband Giles, played by the equally accomplished Matthew Mueller. As the odd young man who never combs his hair, Christopher Wren, Brendan Meyer creates this idiosyncratic character with an eerie appeal. Renowned Milwaukee Rep Artistic Associates, Laura Gordon and Jonathan Gillard Daly, appear as the pessimistic Mrs. Boyle and retired Major Metcalf; the two actors are always a distinct pleasure to see at The Rep.

An irrepressible Greta Wohlrabe delights in the quirkily role of Miss Casewell, her usual blonde tresses wigged in a short brunette crop as she plays this distressed single woman eager to forget her terrible childhood. And rounding out these guests in a eye-catching role, Door County's Peninsula Players Theatre Artistic Director Greg Vinkler, breathes comic life to Mr. Paravicini, a foreigner at the guest house. The person searching to discover which one of these characters could be the murderer, Sergeant Trotter, is the ever-professional Will Allan. Together these eight actors ignite the suspense only Christie can conjure, and The Rep reproduces with exceptional flair.

While the audience watches ski's suddenly be lost, or phone lines sliced, and kitchen or parlour room doors slam open and close when the lights dim, the "Three Blind Mice" melody plays on the piano. Lurking behind these dramas, the mousetrap slowly closes around the killer and presents a perfect evening of mayhem. With a fabulous production sure to draw Christie fans from around the Midwest, what a wonderful way to be caught for an evening in the snow, either on stage or outside the theater, during this festive season. Be sure to "catch" this unique opportunity to experience Christie's famous The Mousetrap and The Rep's illustrious tribute to this brilliant woman who transformed mystery writing into an treasured legend.

Milwaukee Rep presents Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap at the Quadracci Powerhouse in the Patty and Jay Baker Theater Complex through December 20. Be sure to also catch The Rep's 40th Anniversary production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol running concurrently at the Historic Pabst Theater beginning December 1. For performance schedule, special programming and ticket information on either production, please call 414.224.9490 or www.MilwaukeeRep.com

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