Alley Stage Is Set For Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP

The Alley Theatre and Interim Artistic Director James Black announce the cast and crew of the ExxonMobil Summer Chills production, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, offering a cool escape from the sizzling summer heat. Directed by Interim Artistic Director James Black, The Mousetrap is the longest running show in world theatre history. The play runs August 10 - September 2, 2018. Tickets are available at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.

Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap follows a group of strangers who find themselves trapped in a British boarding house during a snow storm with a murderer afoot. Part drawing room comedy and part murder mystery, The Mousetrap is a doubled-barreled whodunit full of twists and surprises by the Queen of Mystery.

"The Summer Chills series is a celebratory time- marking the end of one season and building anticipation for the next. The Alley has presented many of Agatha Christie's plays over the years. And audiences of all kinds from avid theatre-goers to first time theatre visitors have loved each and every one. What a thrill to produce The Mousetrap this summer, the Alley's 30th Summer Chills production. We invite audiences to "cool off" in our theatre and enjoy an intriguing evening from the Queen of Mystery," says Black.

The Mousetrap cast is comprised of Alley Resident Company Members and a frequent Alley guest artist. Resident Company members are Elizabeth Bunch as Miss Casewell, Shawn Hamilton as Major Metcalf, Chris Hutchison as Giles Ralston, Dylan Godwin as Christopher Wren, Melissa Pritchett as Mollie Ralston, Jay Sullivan as Sergeant Trotter, and Todd Waite as Paravicini. Alice M. Gatling as Mrs. Boyle returns to the Alley, most recently appearing in the January's Alley All New Festival in the end of message reading.

The Mousetrap creative team includes Director James Black, Scenic Designer Linda Buchanan, Costume Designer Tricia Barsamian, Lighting Designer Michael Lincoln, Sound Designer Michael Bodeen, and Stage Manager Rebecca R.D. Hamlin.

The Alley has produced many of Agatha Christie's plays, among them Spider's Web, The Hollow, Death on the Nile, Witness for the Prosecution, Towards Zero, and Black Coffee.

Performances of The Mousetrap are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The Mousetrap is recommended for general audiences.

SPONSORS: The Alley's Summer Chills production is sponsored by ExxonMobil. The Alley Theatre is supported by the 2018-19 season sponsor United Airlines, the official airline of The Alley Theatre; Four Seasons Hotel Houston, the official hotel of The Alley Theatre; and Lynn Wyatt.

TICKETS: Tickets to The Mousetrap are now on sale and start at $26. Discounted tickets are available for military and senior, and any student, regardless of age, with a valid student ID for designated performances. Tickets can be ordered online (alleytheatre.org) or by phone (713.220.5700).

The Alley Theatre, one of America's leading nonprofit theatres, is a nationally recognized performing arts company led by Interim Artistic Director James Black and Managing Director Dean R. Gladden. The Alley produces up to 16 plays each year in its newly renovated theatre, ranging from the best current work, to re-invigorated classic plays, to new plays by contemporary writers. The Alley is home to a Resident Company of actors. In addition, the Alley engages theatre artists of every discipline - actors, designers, composers, playwrights - who work on individual productions throughout each season as Visiting Artists.

The renovation of the Hubbard Theatre at the Alley was completed in October 2015 - and created a new 774-seat state-of-the-art performance venue. Matched with the newly renovated 296-seat Neuhaus Theatre, the Alley offers nearly 500 performances each season. The Company reaches over 200,000 people each year through its performance and education programs. Its audience enrichment programs include pre-show and post-performance talks, events, and workshops for audience members of all ages.