Starting Thursday, the Easy Street Theatre Company will bring
one of the longest running plays to the Morgan Hill stage.
Starting Thursday, the Easy Street Theatre Company will bring one of the longest running plays to the Morgan Hill stage.
“The Mousetrap” will be playing at the Playhouse at the Community and Cultural Center for eight shows over two weeks, including two afternoon matinees. This is the first performance by Easy Street Theatre Company, based in Campbell, as a resident theater group.
“The Mousetrap,” was originally written by Agatha Christie and was turned into a play in 1952. It has been running somewhere in the world ever since.
The story centers around a young couple living in England in 1947. They inherit an English country manor and decide to make it into an inn. A snow storm hits the area and seven strangers are forced to hole up together. Tensions mount, and a murder is committed. A young detective enters the scene and must unravel the mystery, and stirring up trouble in the process.
According to Tisa Reeves, stage manager, the play is a classic whodunit full of drama and comedy.
“It’s a very fun whodunit, with lots of fun and interesting characters,” said Reeves. “There’s a lot of things going on. It’s just a wonderful story.”
The show is recommended for all ages. Reeves says there is something for everyone in the show. For the older crowd, period cloths and music will draw a sense of nostalgia. The younger crowd will like solving the crime along with the detective. Reeves only asks that smaller children not be brought because they may not be able to sit still throughout the play.
Reeves and director Becky Wilding have both been in the business for a number of years. With Easy Street Theater Company, they have performed such plays as “Amadeus” and Jane Austin’s “Pride and Prejudice.” They also own an extra casting company called Extra! Extra! Casting Associates for extras in movies.
Both Reeves and Wilding have experience in television and film.
According to Reeves, when the original story was made into a play, movie-makers began asking Christie for the rights to make a movie. She reportedly told them they could once the play is no longer performed. It has never been made into a movie.
“The Mousetrap” will open Thursday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m. It will continue Oct. 3, 4, 9-11, at 8 p.m. Oct. 4 and 11, will both feature matinees beginning at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for students and seniors and $15 for children under 15. They can be purchased at BookSmart, the Community and Cultural Center, at the door or by calling 236-2129. No credit cards will be accepted. Details: visit www.easystreettheatre.com