The Jungle Theater Presents DEATHTRAP, Opening 3/29

The Jungle Theater continues its 2013 season with DEATHTRAP, Ira Levin's 1978 Tony-nominated play, which holds the record for the longest running comedy-thriller on Broadway. Designed and directed by Artistic Director Bain Boehlke, this is the first time the theater has presented this "ingeniously constructed play that pairs gasp-inducing thrills with abundant laughter. "

Steve Hendrickson stars as Sidney Bruhl, with Cheryl Willis as Myra Bruhl and Michael Booth as Clifford Anderson, both of whom were in the Jungle's 2012 Dial M for Murder, another mystery masterpiece. The production also features Jungle favorites Claudia Wilkens (Helga ten Dorp) and Terry Hempleman (Porter Milgrim). Deathtrap opens at the Jungle March 29 and runs through May 19, 2013.

In Deathtrap, Sidney Bruhl, an accomplished writer, has had a series of box office flops and is having trouble writing his next big hit. When he reads a play by Clifford Anderson, a younger writer, he decides to steal the script and kill him.

Deathtrap ran for four years on Broadway with over 1,800 performances. Thirty-five years after its release, it is still being performed in theaters around the world. With Boehlke's reputation for exquisite design, brilliant casting and razor-sharp direction, the Jungle's production will grab even those who are familiar with the plot's clever twists and turns.

Author/Playwright Levin won his second Edgar Award (for distinguished work in the mystery genre) for Deathtrap. In 1982, the play was adapted into a film of the same name starring Christopher Reeve, Michael Caine and Dyan Cannon. Many of Levin's novels have been made into movies including A Kiss Before Dying, Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives and The Boys from Brazil.

In addition to Boehlke, the Deathtrap creative team includes 2012 Ivey Award-winning Barry Browning (lighting design), Sean Healey (sound designer), Kathy Kohl (costume design), Peter Moore (fight choreographer), John Novak (properties), D'Arcy Smith (dialect coach) and John Stillwell (technical director).

Performances are Tuesdays ($20), Wednesdays ($28) and Thursdays ($33) at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. ($38); Sundays at 2 p.m. ($33) and at 7:30 p.m. ($28) at the Jungle Theater, located at 2951 Lyndale Avenue S., in Minneapolis' Lyn-Lake neighborhood. Senior, student and group discounts are also available, and half-price rush tickets are available every night of the week 30 minutes prior to the performance for $10 off the regular price. Tickets are available at (612) 822-7063 or online at www.jungletheater.com