DEATHTRAP Opens at Newnan Theatre Company's Black Box Tonight

By Joan Doggrell

Newnan Theatre Company has offered spooky plays in October for several years, and this year NTC opens Halloween month with Ira Levin's DEATHTRAP, a story "so evil it infects all who touch it."

The play holds the record for the longest running comedy-thriller on Broadway, with 1,793 performances from 1978 to 1982, second only worldwide to Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" at London's St. Martin's Theatre. "Deathtrap" was nominated in 1978 for a Tony Award for Best Play and also earned playwright Ira Levin his second Edgar Award. It was adapted into a film starring Christopher Reeve, Michael Caine, and Dyan Cannon in 1982.

NTC's Director for DEATHTRAP is Paul Conroy - formerly NTC's artistic director - who recently returned from Chicago after completing the coursework for his Master of Arts in Theatre.

"This show has been on my list of shows to do for close to twenty years," said Conroy. "It's fun to be able to take a strong script that has stood the test of time that you can't reinvent, update, or impose your own concept on it. You have to play 'Deathtrap' to its strengths."

Conroy adds, "The set is as much a character as any of the people on stage. The main character (Sidney Bruhl, played by Lamar Payne) is a playwright who has collected so many weapons while failing as a writer that he's filled a wall with his lethal collection. There's just no way around that."

"Also, DEATHTRAP is a period piece. The story takes place before cell phones or computers, so not being able to reach people by phone, they have to come to the house in person. Also, a lot of the business of the show has to do with the typewriter. There is only one copy of the fateful script because the Xerox machine is broken down."

This two-act play, with only six scenes and five characters, is making serious demands on cast and crew.

"You have to know when your character is telling the truth, when he is lying, and who he is lying to," said Conroy. "Everyone is trying to play for his or her own best interest. But who is on your side, who is switching sides, and who is (all of a sudden) out for himself?"

"We're delving very deeply into the characters - deeper into the story than I've done for most plays," said Lamar Payne. "Sidney Bruhl is a once successful playwright who hasn't had a hit play in eighteen years," explained Payne. "He teaches writing seminars in the summer. He and his wife Myra have been able to live off her money, but he would love to have a hit again. So that's where we are when the play opens."

"This is a very complicated and complex role," Payne continued. "He is obviously very intelligent. But motivated by greed, he quickly becomes someone else. Exploring what makes him tick has been fun. Because of the way Paul is directing, we are taking time to find the thought processes."

Levi Morgan plays Clifford Anderson, a young student of Bruhl's and the other major character. "This character is so many different things. He's faking it to so many different people. And I honestly think he's even faking it to himself."

"This is a show that is funny at times and frightening at times," added Conroy. "There are gunshots and violence on stage. People who sit in the front row of the Black Box - or even in the fourth row -- are going to be very close to the action."

Also included in the cast are Rachel Wise playing the part of Sydney's wife, Myra; Lisa Boyd playing the part of Helga ten Dorp; and Jared Wright playing the part of Porter Milgrim.

DEATHTRAP opens at NTC tonight, October 1 and runs through Sunday, October 11. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows start at 8pm, and Sunday shows start at 3pm. All Thursday tickets are $10, and ticket prices for all Friday-Sunday shows are Adults $15, Senior (65+) $12, Student/Military $12, Child (12 and under) $10. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the NTC website, newnantheatre.org, or via phone by calling 770.683.6282.

Pictured: Lamar Payne and Levi Morgan star as Sidney Bruhl and Clifford Anderson in DEATHTRAP.