Michael Lanzilotta and Cathy Myers
The Highlands Cashiers Players are ending their 30th anniversary season with a bang – or perhaps a gasp.
Ira Levin’s Deathtrap, the longest-running thriller in Broadway history, will take center stage at the Performing Arts Center beginning October 30. A masterful blend of suspense and dark comedy, Deathtrap promises to keep audiences guessing – and laughing – until the final curtain.
Directed by HCP veteran Michael Lanzilotta, Deathtrap follows the twisted tale of Sidney Bruhl, a once-renowned playwright whose career has fizzled. When Sidney receives a brilliant new script from a former student, Clifford Anderson, he sees a chance to reclaim his fame. But rather than collaborate, Sidney plots to murder Clifford and steal the play—a “perfect thriller” titled Deathtrap. Add a psychic neighbor with inconvenient visions, and the stage is set for a deliciously tangled web of deception.
“What attracted me to this show was how it depicts the depths we would go through to satisfy greed and pride,” says Lanzilotta. “The twists in this story will have the audience on the edge of their seats.”
April Getz, HCP President and apprentice director for the production, agrees. “Deathtrap is a perfect choice for community theater because of its small cast and single set,” she says. “And it’s ideal for spooky season. We open October 30, but won’t have a show on Halloween – nothing competes with Halloween on Main!”
The production team includes Cathy Myers as stage manager and set designer, and Jayne Pleasants as line coach. Auditions were recently held, and the cast will be announced soon. HCP continues to welcome newcomers interested in directing, acting, or working behind the scenes.
Opening night on October 30 includes a complimentary wine and light bites reception following the 7:00 P.M. performance. Additional showtimes are November 1 at 5:00 P.M., November 2 at 2:00 P.M., and the following weekend: November 6 and 7 at 7:00 P.M., November 8 at 5:00 P.M., and November 9 at 2:00 P.M.
Tickets are available at Highlands-CashiersPlayers.com or by calling the PAC box office at (828) 526-9047.
Deathtrap marks the final full-length show of HCP’s milestone season, but the celebration continues with a free Holiday Show on December 9, followed by a cake and champagne reception to toast 30 years of community theater magic.
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