MATS
presents ‘Deathtrap’
Plot
twists are murder in Minot Area
Theatrical
Society’s comic thriller
By CEECY NUCKER, Correspondent, ccnucker@yahoo.com
Stephen King called him "The Swiss watchmaker of suspense novels," and this weekend you can see Ira Levin's most famous play, "Deathtrap" on the Minot Area Theatrical Society's stage.
"There are twists upon twists in this play," director Alyssa Swiney said.
The plot concerns an older playwright, Sidney Bruhl, played by Jaye Jameson, who was a success in his younger days, but is a bit past it now. He gets a play in the mail from a former student, Clifford Anderson, played by Adam Dyess.
"Adam is a newcomer to MATS, but he's really good," Swiney said. "Where he needs to be evil, he's pure evil, and he can be cool and casual where he needs to be too."
Sidney, she said, declares Clifford's play to be a sure-fire hit, and hungry to recapture his past success, he plots to kill Clifford and claim the play as his own.
Sidney's wife Myra, played by Amanda Kraft, is opposed to the scheme, but betrayed by her weak heart. Adding some complication is next-door neighbor Helga ten Dorp, a Russian-born psychic of questionable talents. Lindsey Mull makes her debut performance in this role.
"She's just so fun," Swiney said. "She has a great Russian accent, and she's good at pushing people around all over the stage. At one point Helga stops and cries out, 'Oh my daughter! She's pregnant. I must go and tell her!' That Lindsey. She and Adam really wowed me."
Rounding out the cast is Terry J. Aman as Porter Milgrim, a lawyer with secrets of his own. "But he's just adorable," she said. "I have a great cast, with three award-winners and the two new people."
Swiney's assistant is Rachel Hillerud, and the stage manager is Mary Hillerud.
"I really want to compliment them, and Gary Hillerud, Mary's husband and Rachel's father, for the great set, with the stairs and the partner's desk he made for us," Swiney said. "We wouldn't have it as good as we do without their help."
Deathtrap
"Deathtrap" runs Oct. 15-18, 2009. The show opens in the Stardust Room at the Vegas Hotel today at 7 p.m. Tickets for the non-meal show are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and children.
The dinner theater
productions Friday and Saturday begin at 7 p.m. Price of the meal is included
in the $20 ticket. Sunday afternoon is the luncheon show beginning at 1 p.m.,
and the cost of the meal is included in the $15 ticket price.
Reservations are required for
the dinner theater productions, and can be made by calling 852-2290.
©2009 The Minot
Daily News