MANSFIELD — Folks can expect to stay on the edge of their seats during the upcoming production at the Mansfield Playhouse.
Performances of Ira Levin’s “Deathtrap” begin Friday at 8 p.m. The show will also run Oct. 19, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m, as well as Oct. 27 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased here for shows at the 95 E. Third St. community theater.
“Deathtrap” holds the record as the longest-running comedy thriller on Broadway, lasting four years (1978-1982).
In 1982, it was adapted into a film by the same name, starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve.
Playhouse Artistic Director Doug Wertz said “Deathtrap” is a classic comedic thriller.
“It takes place back in 1978,” Wertz said. “It’s the story of Sidney Bruhl, a washed-up, maybe, playwright, who has had a dry spell for about 18 years.”
Bruhl depends financially on his wife, Myra Bruhl, and makes some money by speaking at writing seminars.
As the show begins, Wertz said the playwright receives a script in the mail from a young man who attended one of Bruhl’s playwriting classes.
One set, five characters. Sound construction, good dialogue, laughs in the right places. Highly commercial. … The damn thing is perfect.”
Sidney Bruhl in “Deathtrap”
“From that point on, things start to go awry,” the director said. “He (Bruhl) starts joking about how this could help his dry spell. His wife is getting a little nervous about what he’s joking about and she wants to work more in a collaborative effort with the student.
“Things just keep going further and further south. But it twists and turns all night long. It keeps you on the edge of your seat because things happen that are unexpected and you have no idea why it has … it’s a great script.”
Meet the cast
Carl Hunnell, city editor at Richland Source, plays the role of the disgruntled playwright.
Acting on the Playhouse stage for the last 14 years, he said he enjoys “Deathtrap” because Bruhl is a “frustrated, sarcastic, badly-aging writer,” all things Hunnell said he can agree with.
“There’s a lot of funny lines … for a play which is about murder,” he said. “It’s a very verbose script … so the audience should pay attention, because some things will make more sense later if you understand and follow along.”
Most recently appearing seven months ago on the Playhouse stage as Nunzio in “Over the River and Through the Woods,” the veteran actor said his newest role has presented challenges.
“Sidney (Bruhl) has a lot to say — more than I’m used to saying during a show … and I’m not a young man anymore,” he said with a laugh.
“I am proud of the work everyone has put into this. Doug has given us a great place to play and everyone in the cast has done remarkably well in just a few weeks,” he said.
Hunnell will be joined by familiar faces in the five-actor production.
His wife in the production is played by Jill Cochran, who’s been involved with theater for most of her life.
Cochran most recently appeared at the Playhouse last fall in “Angel Street.”
“It’s (“Deathtrap”) come together really fast and everyone’s done a really good job,” she said.
Each of the production’s five cast members has lengthy dialogue, but Cochran said the cast has emphasized non-verbal cues to help communicate.
“Everyone’s trying real hard with their facial cues to say what’s going on … to see how they’re reacting to it,” she said.
Hergatt keeps ‘coming back for more’
Sam Hergatt, playing the role of Clifford Anderson, fell in love with theater as a child after seeing a production at the Playhouse.
Shortly after, Hergatt auditioned for the next junior show available — which happened to be Peter Pan.
“Ever since then, I’ve loved theater and just keep coming back for more,” Hergatt said.
Cast as the young playwright who sends his script off to Bruhl, Hergatt said the comedy ultimately comes from the veteran’s sarcasm.
“I’ve (Clifford Anderson) got more sincerity in it — of being young and in awe of him (Sidney Bruhl),” Hergatt said.
“It’s really fun working with him (Hunnell). He’s doing a great job.”
The production’s remaining roles — Helga ten Dorp and Porter Milgrim — are played by Mary Schalmo and Playhouse newcomer Timothy Secrist.
(Photos from a dress rehearsal on Tuesday evening of “Deathtrap” at the Mansfield Playhouse. The classic comedic thriller opens Friday evening.)
