{"id":147,"date":"2019-01-28T18:58:28","date_gmt":"2019-01-28T18:58:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theatrehound.net\/?p=147"},"modified":"2022-05-30T18:17:18","modified_gmt":"2022-05-30T18:17:18","slug":"deathtrap-by-ira-levin-at-ross-valley-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theatrehound.net\/?p=147","title":{"rendered":"‘Deathtrap’ by Ira Levin at Ross Valley Players"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(l-R) Amber Collins Crane, Gregory Crane (photo by Robin Jackson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is “Deathtrap” a play to kill for?\u00a0 First produced on Broadway in 1978 with a run of over 1700 performances, “Deathtrap” has been a favorite of theatres ever since.\u00a0 Does that make it worthy of killing for?<\/p>\n

Suspense builds in the play through many surprises and dramatic threats to our loving couple, Sidney and Myra.\u00a0 Sidney (played by Gregory Crane) is a murder mystery writer with writer’s block.\u00a0 Myra (played by Amber Collins Crane) tries to keep Sidney focused on writing.\u00a0 Clifford (played by Bryce Smith) comes into the house to help.\u00a0 All in all, this could be a typical family in crisis.<\/p>\n

A couple of murders and shocking events change that simple theme into real suspense quickly.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, RVP’s new show is not directed as a dark murder mystery, but as a comedy.\u00a0 It is a dark comedy, with tragic writer’s block and enduring greed, but the antics keep the laughter coming as bright relief after the emotional surprises that await us onstage.<\/p>\n

Amber Collins Crane and Gregory Crane make a good couple onstage.\u00a0 Crane, as the husband, can no longer write successful murder mysteries and, instead, acts out his thoughts in the comfort of his home. Collins Crane’s character is forever tense and nervous, anxious to pull her husband out of his depression, but unable to bring him back to reality.<\/p>\n

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(L-R) Bryce Smith, Gregory Crane (Photo by Robin Jackson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon “Deathtrap” the play becomes “Deathtrap” the production and fierce suspicion rules this happy, murderous home.\u00a0 Clifford (played by Bryce Smith) comes in to help, literally bursting with ideas and solutions.\u00a0 Smith is convincing as the innocent pawn with thoughts of the throne.\u00a0 The high energy competition between Sidney and Clifford in act II drives the humor into a murderous conclusion.\u00a0 Smith’s energy is infectious.<\/p>\n

Helga (played by Marsha van Broek) raises the bar on the play’s humor with her totally\u00a0 fake gypsy psychic antics.\u00a0 van Broek breaks the monotony of her role at just the right points to become reassuringly rational, stating the obvious to everyone in a comforting voice.\u00a0 Good work.<\/p>\n

Porter (played by Tom Reilly) could be an attorney in real life, with the accuracy of his portrayal of the family estate lawyer.\u00a0 It’s amazing.\u00a0 Reilly’s calm eye for detail keeps the plot going smoothly from crisis to crisis right through the end of the play.<\/p>\n

The set by Tom O’Brien is relaxing and disarming at the same time.\u00a0 Michael Walraven has built an excellent example of an upstate barn extension with an upstairs bedroom suite.\u00a0 The fireplace is warming through the various murder scenes and onstage power failures.<\/p>\n

Director Chloe Bronzan takes a fairly routine, tired plot and turns it into a bright, macabre comedy.\u00a0 Suddenly, the 1960’s are alive again, with typewriters and furniture and costumes and phones that make sense to us here in 2019.\u00a0 Of course Michael A. Berg (costumes) and Dhyanis Carniglia (properties) have helped a lot to bring the ambiance back to the 1960’s.\u00a0 This is a fun production that draws the audience into the play.\u00a0 RVP proves that “Deathtrap” is a play to kill for onstage, and to enjoy in the safety of the audience.<\/p>\n

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(L-R) Tom Reilly, Marsha van Broek (Photo by Robin Jackson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ross Valley Players’ new seats and smaller house (99 seats) make seeing the play more enjoyable, but reservations are critical.\u00a0 Make sure you reserve in advance and do not depend upon getting tickets at the door.<\/p>\n

“Deathtrap” continues at the Ross Valley Players in Ross through February 17, 2019.\u00a0 For further information: rossvalleyplayers.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Rating: ***1\/2<\/p>\n

“Deathtrap,” by Ira Levin is produced by Ross Valley Players.\u00a0 Directors: Chloe Bronzan. Scenic Designer: Tom O’Brien. Costume Designer: Michael A. Berg. Sound Designer: Bruce Vieira. Lighting Designer: Tina Johnson. Fight Choreographer: Richard Squeri.<\/p>\n

Cast: Gregory Crane: Sidney Bruhl. Amber Collins Crane: Myra Bruhl. Bryce Smith: Clifford Anderson. Marsha van Broek: Helga ten Dorp. Tom Reilly: Porter Milgrim.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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