DEATHTRAP by Carol Kaufman Segal

            Deathtrap, by Ira Levin, is being presented at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood.  Levin was born in 1929 and died in 2007 after a successful career as a novelist, playwright, and songwriter.  He adapted many of his plays into films, but Deathtrap, written in 1978, was, undoubtedly, his most successful play.  It opened on Broadway in 1978 and was nominated that year for a Tony Award, ending after a four-year run, the longest record for a comic thriller.  In 1982 it was made into a film starring Christopher Reeve and Michael Caine.       

            Sidney (Robert Benedict Nello), at one time a successful playwright, has had a severe case of writer’s block for too long.  One day he, unexpectedly, receives a script for a play written by Clifford (TJ McNeill), a promising student from one of his playwriting seminars.  After reading the script he is astounded at how perfect a suspense drama the young man has created. 

            He discusses the play with his wife Myra (Gina Yates) and, in his depression over his own ability to come up with anything worthwhile, he begins to reflect on ways that he could steal the play and present it as his own.  While he imagines how it could be achieved, Myra fears that he has murder on his mind when he invites the young man to meet with him at his home to discuss the finalities of the play.

            From the moment Clifford arrives, Deathtrap takes on a complete transformation with many plots and twists.  The suspense gains momentum throughout while still providing moments of humor.  It truly is a comic thriller.  Additional characters in the play include Sidney’s lawyer, Porter Milgrim (Lloyd Pedersen) and Helga Ten Dorp (LizAnne Keigley), an erratic psychic.

            The production at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, under the superb direction of veteran director Jules Aaron, does credit to the play by presenting a first-class cast of actors, an outstanding stage set by Chris Winfield, and most realistic fight scenes choreographed by Orion Barnes.   

            Deathtrap plays at the Lonny Chapman Theatre Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, through May 20, at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood.  For tickets, call (818) 763-5990, or go online at www.thegrouprep.com.

           

            HIGHLY RECCOMMENDED