Cast Members L to R: Ron Leslie, Mandy Houston, Craig Eister, April Getz, Randy Lucas, Lorine Spencer, and Emily Wright.
Highlands Cashiers Players opens their season with Agatha Christie’s murder mystery The Mousetrap beginning on Thursday, March 19, at 7:00 P.M. There will be a free wine and light bites reception after this opening show. Performances continue Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21, at 7:00 P.M. and a Sunday matinee on March 22 at 2:00 P.M. There are also performances the following weekend: Thursday-Saturday, March 26-28 at 7:00 P.M., and a closing matinee at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 29.
The Mousetrap first opened in London’s West End in 1952. Originally written as a radio play titled Three Blind Mice for Queen Mary’s 80th birthday, it was later adapted for the stage and renamed after a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Its popularity can probably be attributed to its classic “whodunit” structure, memorable characters, clever plot twists, and balance of suspense and dark humor.
Audiences also enjoy the tradition of being asked not to reveal the ending, which will be especially important during the play’s two-week run in small towns like Highlands and Cashiers.
The Mousetrap is directed by Craig Eister, who has written, directed, and performed for Highlands Cashiers Players for many years.
Craig expresses his excitement, saying that “The Mousetrap’ is the world’s longest running play in history, and Agatha Christie at her most ingenious. I am so excited to bring this classic whodunnit to the stage.”
HCP President April Getz shares that “Craig used to work for a London-based company and has seen The Mousetrap performed in West End almost 20 times! His familiarity with the play is second only to his love for it.”
Jayne Pleasants will serve as assistant director, and Cathy Myers is the stage manager and set designer for this production.
The play is set at Monkswell Manor, owned by new, inexperienced innkeepers Giles and Mollie Ralston, played by Michael Lanzilotta and Lorine Spencer. Guests at the inn include Christopher Wren, an eccentric architect (casting to be determined); Mrs. Boyle, a domineering and unpleasant house guest played by Mandy Houston; Major Metcalf, a man who still retains the manners and calm bearing from his military career played by Ron Leslie; Miss Casewell, a blunt and cooly mysterious woman, played by April Getz; Ms. Paravicini, a suspicious foreigner who arrives without a reservation in the middle of a snowstorm, played by Emily Wright; and Sergeant Trotter, a police detective who arrives on cross-country skis to investigate one murder and prevent another, played by Randy Lucas.
Visit HighlandsCashiersPlayers.com for tickets, or call or visit the PAC box office at 507 Chestnut Street (828) 526-9047.
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