A Review | Deathtrap, a comedy thriller, opens tonight at the Grange

||| FROM KATHI CISKOWSKI |||

Featuring more twists and turns than you can shake a sword (or a pillow) at, the long running, Tony nominated play by Ira Levin, “Deathtrap”, makes it way from Broadway to the Orcas Island Grange for a two –weekend run starting Friday, Aug. 22 and 23 at
7 pm. Presented by the Actors Theater of Orcas Island and featuring a jaw droppingly detailed set created by director Robert Hall, “Deathtrap”, showcases the acting talents of the island in part thanks to a fun, unpredictable script. Just when you think you know what will come next, the play takes you forward into a totally new mindset.

DON’T GOOGLE IT before you come lest you spoil its surprises.

The cast of five embodies their parts very well! Dorrie Braun, who plays an aging and once successful “thriller” playwright (Sylvia Bruhl) is out of story ideas. She is becoming desperate for a new hit which will once again bring her financial and professional
success. The play opens with a possibility for this coming into her life through a past student, Chloe Johnson, played by Aaimee Johnson, and chaos ensues from there.

“Deathtrap” is billed as a “comedic thriller” and that is all I will tell you about the rest of the plot. It is truly that. The writing is very clever, and it leads the actors into showcasing many sides to their characters’ personalities. Dorrie and Aaimee carry a
large part of the play with supporting actor Don Yerley pulling you in as Sylvia’s slower moving, supportive but not very useful husband, Manny; eM Velasca appears to be a grounding force as the family attorney, and veteran actor Suzanne Gropper manifests a colorful, larger-than- life, energetic psychic neighbor (Helga Ten Dorp) who brings a mystery element into the mix.

In a short conversation before the dress rehearsal I attended on Wednesday night, director Hall (talking from the tech booth where he was fine tuning sound and lights) had great praise for the cast, noting the heavy line load of this play and commending them for the nice job they have done preparing for their parts.

ATOI is presenting “Deathtrap” on Friday Aug. 22, Saturday. Aug. 23, Thursday, Aug. 28, Friday Aug. 29, Sat. Aug. 30 at 7pm. Sunday, Aug. 31 at 1 pm.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door, at Darvill’s Bookstore or online here through Brown Paper Tickets.  Opening night attendees get a Paula’s Famous Cookie for free!