Broadway’s Longest-Running Comedy/Thriller Comes to the REP In Deathtrap, sinister situations are off the page

 One of the great popular successes of recent American theatre history, this ingeniously constructed play offers a rare and skillful blending of two priceless theatrical ingredients — gasp-inducing thrills and spontaneous laughter. Dealing with the devious machinations of a writer of thrillers whose recent offerings have been flops, and who is prepared to go to any lengths to improve his fortunes, it provides twists and turns and sudden shocks in such abundance that audiences will be held spellbound until the very last moment.
On November 13, the Repertory East Playhouse opened Deathtrap, under the direction of Mark Kaplan, who has assembled a top-notch company, which includes REP newcomer Derrel Maury, who has a long history of film, theatrical and television credits, playing writer Sidney Bruhl. He joins REP alums Curtis Crawford as Clifford Anderson, Kimberly Patterson as Myra Bruhl, Georgan George as Helga ten Dorp and Barry Agin as Porter Milgrim.
“Deathtrap was one of the first plays I ever saw on Broadway,” Kaplan recalled. “It had such a great effect on me that I had to see it again when it played the Huntington Hartford (now the Ricardo Montalban) on tour. The play was a perfect combination of comedy and thriller. Even having seen it on Broadway, the play still made me laugh and jump in all the right places.
“It’s a genre that I have always wanted to direct, but directing the right one has been key for me,” he continued. “Ira Levin has written a modern comedy thriller (1978) that still resonates today and is one that is a joy to find such brilliant comedy and thrills all in one package. It is clearly one of the classics and holds the record for the longest running thriller in Broadway history.”
Deathtrap, co-sponsored by McDowell Odom LLP and Friedman, Thompson & Co., will run November 13 through December 12, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for students and seniors.
In addition to purchasing their tickets, patrons may now select their seats with The REP’s new online box office at www.the-rep.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/therep. This show is rated REP-13, suggested for those age 13 and up. The Repertory East Playhouse is located at 24266 Main Street in Newhall.