Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP to Open 1/10 at Lakewood Theatre Company

Lakewood Theatre Company continues its 61st season on January 10, 2014 with Agatha Christie's murder mystery masterpiece, The Mousetrap. This iconic play has been running continuously in London for the past 61 years - accumulating over 25,000 performances.

With stage direction by Tyson Stephenson, LTC's production features Lucy Paschall, Richie Bowen, Samuel Summer, Maxemillian Corkum, Joe Healy, Robin Woolman, Matt Pavik, and Caleb Adderley as members of the ensemble.

Performances continue through February 16 with the following schedule: Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 PM; Sundays at 7:00 PM (January 12, 19, 26) and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM (January 19 and February 2, 19, and 16). There is one Wednesday performances at 7:30 PM on January 29. The show sponsor is Sturdi-built Manufacturing Co. - Barbara & Bill Warner.

At the Wednesday January 29 performance Lakewood continues a new program called WOW: 25-35. For people 35 and under tickets are priced at $25 each. One hour prior to performance there will be a complimentary wine tasting hosted by World Class Wines. Come enjoy Wine on Wednesday (WOW) paired with discounted show tickets.

The theatre is located at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street in Lake Oswego. Ticket prices are $32/adults and $30/seniors. Other discounts are available for students and groups. For additional information and tickets, call the Lakewood Box Office at (503) 635-3901 or order online at www.lakewood-center.org.

The Story: At Monkswell Manor, news on the radio reports that a murder has recently taken place in London. Mollie and Giles Ralston, the young owners of the once-regal estate recently converted into a guesthouse, hardly notice the news. They are far too busy preparing for the arrival of their first guests and concerned that the heavy snowfalls may prevent the guests reaching their destination. As the guests arrive safely and the Manor becomes snowed in, a policeman arrives on skis suspecting that one of the seven occupants may be the killer. After a second murder occurs in the Manor, Sergeant Trotter is convinced.

Suspects include the young married couple, a spinster with a curious background, an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef, a retired army major, an unexpected visitor who claims his car has run into a snowdrift and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. During his interrogation, Sergeant Trotter uncovers the many mysterious secrets of everyone present, as he tries to solve the murder in true Christie style. Plot details are limited here, as to not give away surprises that show up throughout the production.

History of the play: The Mousetrap began life in 1947 as a short radio play called Three Blind Mice which Agatha Christie originally wrote for the occasion of Queen Mary's 80th birthday. It adopted its current name, which is derived from Hamlet, when it moved to the stage several years later, making its world premiere at Nottingham's Theatre Royal on October 2 1952. It began its West End run on November 25 1952 with Lord Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim in the leading roles.

Ever since the opening night, each performance has finished with the audience being asked not to tell anyone the identity of the murderer. One of the actors says at the end of the play: "Now you have seen The Mousetrap you are our partners in crime, and we ask you to preserve the tradition by keeping the secret of whodunit locked in your hearts."

LTC's production of The Mousetrap is directed by Tyson Stephenson. Stage design is by John Gerth, Lighting design is by Kurt Herman, and costume design is by Patricia J. Rohrbach. Prop design is by Felix Kelsey, the stage manager is Heather Taylor and the producer is Kay Vega.

Photo by Triumph Photography