The Mousetrap

Highly Recommended ***** For the last several years I have sent other reviewers to cover The Court Theatre. Mostly due to one who loves that theater and the distance. The truth of the matter is that I missed the marvelous productions and last night’s opening of “The Mousetrap” Agatha Christie outrageous comic/mystery just showed me what I was missing. I am excited to tell you that this is a sure award winning production from the set (Arnel Sancianco is an artist) to the cast and to the elegance in direction by Sean Graney.

The story is sure fire mystery as the Ralstons ( Giles, played by Allen Gilmore and Mollie, the incredible Kate Fry) turn their home into a guest house. As the first guests arrive during a snowstorm, news of a murder in London is announced on the radio. Knowing that this is an Agatha Christie story, one knows that there will be twists and turns throughout the two act ( a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes including intermission). Of course I will never give away the whodunit portion.

The characters that are assembled in this home are special in many ways and as it turns out the actors who bring them to life are also incredible. They are Mrs. Boyle (Carolyn Ann Hoerdemann is divine) an older woman who likes her way on everything. A young stumbling “architect”, Christopher Wren ( another hysterical performance by Alec Goodrich who was born to do English Comedy), Miss Casewell ( Tina Munoz Pandya ) who seems to have her own agenda, Major Metcalf ( Lyonel Reneau) and the unusual Mr. Paravinci ( David Cerda at his best) who was not a registered guest. These are the people who are in the guest house during a snowstorm.

What brings this crazy assembly to the initial opening of this guest house? How do their lives intertwine? Or do they? As we meet each and learn more about them, the intrigue grows and the plot unveils itself to us. Remember, this is written by the master of mystery and directed by the master of mysterious direction. A perfect combination !

As the snow continues to fall and it appears they will be snowed in, they are informed that one of the guests may in fact be the murderer that the police are looking for and that  Detective Sergeant Trotter is on his way to investigate. He appears , on skis and this is where the fun begins! There will be another murder and the potential for yet another. Can the Detective solve the case? Who is the killer? This should be a show to place on your MUST SEE list.

The tech aspects  are as brilliant as the acting. Lighting (Claire Chrzan), sound (Kevin O’Donnell and costumes (Alison Siple) along with the fight and intimacy choreography of Jaq Seifert are what makes each piece of the puzzle fit.

This is an amazing cast of actors bringing forth an amazing production of a thriller with great comic touches. If you love mystery, you will love this. If you need a good laugh, you are guaranteed to find a whole evening of same, but you can only bear witness to this production of “The Mousetrap” through February 16th at The Court Theatre located on the campus of The University of Chicago, 5535 S. Ellis ( just 15 minutes from the loop) with performances as follows:

Wednesdays  7:30 p.m.

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $37.50 and can be purchased at the box office, by calling 773-753-4472 or online at www.CourtTheatre.org

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Mousetrap”.

FREE PARKING in the garage next door to the theater.