THE THEATER MIRROR, New England's LIVE Theater Guide
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MARQUEE | USHER | SEATS | INTERMISSION | CURTAIN |
The current show at The MMAS Black Box Theater is Agatha Christie's most successful melodrama "The Mousetrap" which is in its 56th year in London having opened there on October 6, 1952 which makes it the longest running play in history. The two act play takes place in Monkswell Manor Guest House, a newly converted mansion run by a couple of newlyweds, Mollie and Giles Ralston. There has been a murder in London, a woman, Mrs. Maureen Lyon, has been murdered comes the report via the radio and the main clue is the song, "Three Blind Mice". The police are eager to interview a man who is wearing a dark overcoat, light scarf, and a soft felt hat. Several people enter the mansion dressed in this outfit. The Ralstons open their newly inherited home as a boarding house and become stranded during a snowstorm with a group of strangers including a spinster with a curious background, an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef, a retired army major, a strange Italian man who claims his car has overturned in a snow drift and an old biddy who makes life miserable for everyone. Into their midst comes a policeman, traveling on skis. He no sooner arrives, than the second murder takes place, leaving two down and one to go. To get to the rationale of the murderer's pattern, the policeman probes the background of everyone present and rattles a lot of skeletons. Director Ken Butler infuses his cast with energetic portrayals and wonderful accusing glances and facial expressions to keep you guessing who the killer is all night long. Expert scenic designer Gary Poholek and his crew transform the black box theatre into an English mansion with stunning accuracy that it looks real enough to move into. The snowy branch seen through the window is an excellent touch, too.
Not only is the direction topnotch but the acting is, too. Ken casts the right people in these 8 roles. Jeff Tidwell is very intense as Detective Sergeant Trotter. His inquisition of all the suspects is right on the money after he arrives. Michelle Monti and Rich Stiles play Mollie and Giles, the newlyweds in the show. Their scenes together convey the warmth and tenderness of a young couple in love but it is their strong acting talents that will catch your attention. Michelle gives this ingenue role a backbone and delivers a spunkiness to it while Rich does a wonderful job as the overprotective husband. Two of the biggest scene stealers are Greg Barbon as Christopher Wren and Ruth Shane as Mrs. Boyle. Greg is a hoot as the wild haired, flamboyant guest who thinks Sgt. Trotter is hot and loves to cook. Ruth is a riot as the bitchy, picky martinet who harps on every little flaw she finds in the boarding house. Her portrayal is so well done you will want to boo her at the curtain call because she is such a vile and despicable woman. The remaining three guests also do a good job in their roles. Rosemarie Bryant plays the mysterious Miss Casewell who lurks in and out of the scenes while constantly smoking. She keeps you guessing who she is until the final curtain. Bruce Church who usually plays a villain in shows, plays the bigger than life role of Mr. Paravicini. His Italian accent is hilarious. Michael Duarte does a wonderful job as the blustering, Major Metcalf who is also harboring a secret in his past like the other characters. So for a wonderful evening of theatre, be sure to catch "The Mousetrap" at MMAS. Tell them Tony sent you.