Deathtrap
There's only one more week to see Little Fish Theatre's superb
production of "Deathtrap" and for that I sincerely apologize. So
here comes my review with a last minute endorsement:
Rush to the phone and make reservations now for this classic
thriller by Ira Levin--one of Broadway's greatest writers in the
murder mystery, suspense thriller, who-dunnit genre.
If you're familiar with "The Stepford Wives," "Rosemary's Baby,"
"Veronica's Room," "A Kiss Before Dying,' or "The Boys from Brazil,"
you've got the picture.
When properly produced, presented and performed, "Deathtrap"
has audiences gasping with fright and doubled over with laughter
simultaneously. That's no small feat, so three cheers for the Little
Fish Theatre Company who succeed on all counts across the board.
Under Richard Perloff's tight-fisted direction, the five-member
cast nails Levin's multi-layered, tension-filled script. Without a
let-up, they hold the audience's attention through one unexpected
turn after another.
Levin's story revolves around the devious actions of Sidney
Bruhl (dynamically portrayed by David Graham), an acclaimed
playwright of suspense mysteries who has writer's block and has lost
his touch. Forced to live off of his wife's inheritance, Sidney is
so desperate he'll do anything, ANYTHING, to regain his fortune--and
of course his reputation. Libby West is perfect as Myra, his quiet
compliant wife. She disapproves of her husband's maniacal
determination, but she acquiesces to what happens because she's ill
and has to stay calm.
Into their secluded Connecticut home wanders Clifford, one of
Sidney's former students from the nearby University. A wanna-be
writer like his revered professor, Cliff has just completed a play
called "Deathtrap" that's so exciting it makes Sidney see green.
On the pretext of fixing Clifford's "ailing" first draft, Sidney
invites his former student into his home for a work session. Cody
Robert's portrayal of this good-looking young writer is right on
target. At first we think he's an innocent victim who's going to be
eaten alive, but under his easy-going facade he's as crafty as his
mentor.
What happens after the "unassuming" writer enters the den of the
dangerous old lion could only come out of the ingenious mind of Ira
Levin. Throw in some comical twists and turns by a neighbor named
Helga Ten Dorp (Melanie Jones is hysterical as the Dutch psychic who
rents a cottage next door) and you find yourself on a thrilling,
fast-paced roller-coaster ride.
All the surprises take place on Staci Walters' intriguing set,
which features murder weapons from each of Sidney's plays mounted on
the walls of his study.
Performances of "Deathtrap" continue at 8:00 pm on Sunday, Nov.
08; Thursday, Nov. 12; Friday, Nov. 13; and Sat. Nov. 14 at Little
Fish Theatre, 777 Centre Street in downtown San Pedro. Call (310)
512-6030 now.