The classic will be performed at historic Mapleton Hall on eight occasions in February.
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SUFFIELD - The Suffield Players plan to to perform the adult thriller, “Deathtrap,” by Ira Levin, a witty, fast-paced production that is being called one of the theater group’s best.
The classic will be performed at historic Mapleton Hall on eight occasions in February.
Described as a play within a play, “Deathtrap” has many plot twists to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
“The audience is led to believe one thing, right before their eyes, and it turns out what they were seeing is not what they thought,” said Mary Fernandez-Sierra, Suffield Players publicity director who also plays the wacky psychic next door. “It’s a series of illusions and mirrors. It’s a very enjoyable experience because of all the surprises.”
The play, which takes place in modern-day Westport, Conn., centers on a writer, Sidney Bruhl, who has fallen on hard times.
“He’s having writer’s block, and he’s trying to solve his problem,” Fernandez-Sierra said. “He comes up with some creative ways of doing that, like murder. There’s a feeling like, am I seeing one of his plays or is this real?”
Bruhl finds a partner to help him write, or so the audience thinks, and the partner ends up being a playwright also.
“There’s a question raised – Are we watching his play now?” Fernandez-Sierra asked.
Several “Deathtrap” films have been done, but Fernandez-Sierra said the stage version is subtly different than the film versions. Some of the language had to be updated from the original play.
The crew has built a beautiful set, complete with donated antique barn board from a local barn that was taken down.
“It doesn’t take place in a barn, but it’s an old barn that’s been turned into a studio for the writer,” Fernandez-Sierra said. “We have these beautiful barn doors to give it more of a rustic look.”
Fernandez-Sierra said the audience will be delighted with “Deathtrap.”
“It’s probably one of the best shows we’ve done,” she said. “It’s a combination of good writing and a really good cast. They’re working together really, really well.”
Intended for an adult audience, Fernandez-Sierra said the show is ideal for anyone who likes mysteries.
“It’s a puzzle that they’re going to have to try to solve, and they don’t really have enough information to do it,” she said. “The ending is also a delightful surprise; things are not what they see there either.”
In addition to Fernandez-Sierra, the cast features Steve Wandzy, Christopher Berrien, Larry Chiz and Anna Marie Johansen. It’s directed by Robert Lunde, with set design by Konrad Rogowski and Kelly Seip, lighting design and technical direction by Jerry Zalewski, and costume design by Dawn McKay.
Performances are scheduled for Feb. 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $17 ($12 opening night), with discounts available for groups, seniors, students and season subscribers. For reservations, call (800) 289-6148 or (860) 668-0837, or visit www.suffieldplayers.org.
