The Rep to Continue 47th Season with Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP, 12/4-29

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents the famous and fun whodunit play The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie and directed by Paul Mason Barnes. This classic mystery will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, December 4-29, 2013.

Curtain times are Tuesday at 7 pm; Wednesday-Friday at 8 pm; selected Wednesday matinees at 1:30 pm; Saturday matinees at 5 pm; selected Saturday nights at 9 pm; Sunday matinees at 2 pm; and selected Sunday evenings at 7 pm. Due to the holiday an additional performance has been added on Monday, December 23 at 7 pm, as well as an additional matinee performance on Thursday, December 26 at 1:30 pm. There will be no performances on Tuesday, December 24 or Wednesday, December 25.

Ticket prices start at just $16.50 (previews) and $20 (regular performances). To purchase, visit The Rep Box Office, located inside the Loretto-Hilton Center, charge by phone by calling (314) 968-4925, or visit The Rep's Online Box Office at http://www.repstl.org.

Major sponsorship for this production is provided by Wells Fargo Advisors.

The Grande Dame of suspense weaves a clever mystery that will keep you guessing till the very end. The guests at Monkswell Manor are snowed in with a murderer in their midst. Whodunit? Sergeant Trotter is determined to find out, and his investigation turns up more shocking secrets than anyone could have anticipated. Full of intricate plot twists and shuddering suspense, it is no wonder The Mousetrap has become the world's longest-running stage production.

"Agatha Christie brings her special cleverness to our stage with her historic play The Mousetrap," said Steve Woolf, artistic director of The Rep. "Still running after 61 years in London, this mystery continues to have the audience guessing as to whodunit. A great collection of characters all appear to be the culprit in a criminal activity that takes place during a fierce snowstorm at Monkswell Manor. It simply is great fun for the holidays."

A literary giant, Ms. Christie's books have sold more than two billion copies in over 45 languages, a feat that is only outdone by the works of William Shakespeare and the Bible. In her illustrious 50-year writing career, she penned 66 detective novels, 14 short-story collections, six romance novels and a dozen plays. The Mousetrap, which opened in London in 1952, holds the title of being the longest continuously running play in theatrical history.

The cast of The Mousetrap at The Rep is Ellen Adair as Mollie, William Connell as Giles, Tarah Flanagan (The Comedy of Errors) as Miss Casewell, Darrie Lawrence (Over the Tavern) as Mrs. Boyle, Sean Mellott as Christopher Wren, Larry Paulsen as Mr. Paravicini, Christian Pedersen as Detective Sergeant Trotter and Michael James Reed (Clybourne Park) as Major Metcalf.

Paul Mason Barnes, who last directed Shakespeare's farcical romp The Comedy of Errors on the Mainstage, directs The Rep's production of The Mousetrap.

The creative staff also includes John Ezell, set designer; Dorothy Marshall Englis, costume designer; Peter E. Sargent, lighting designer; Rusty Wandall, sound designer; Rich Cole, casting director; Glenn Dunn, stage manager; and Shannon B. Sturgis, assistant stage manager.

For more information about The Rep's production of The Mousetrap including a guide introducing the characters, plot and background on the play; photos related to the production; and more, visit The Rep's comprehensive public website at http://www.repstl.org.

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