‘The Mousetrap’ opens at Opera House tonight
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LAKE BENTON -- The newest show at the Lake Benton Opera House is not only a classic murder mystery -- it's one that will hopefully put chills down audiences' spines.
"The show really does keep you on the edge of your seat," said Joe Jeffrey, director of "The Mousetrap," which opens tonight at the Opera House. Performances will be today-Sunday, and Nov. 17-19.
Set at an English manor in the 1950s, "The Mousetrap" brings together a story by Agatha Christie and a cast of colorful characters, who could include a murderer on the loose.
"It's like a darker, thriller version of the game 'Clue,'" Jeffrey said. The story starts with a young couple, Giles and Mollie Ralston, who have converted Monkswell Manor into a guesthouse. "Some unfortunate events happen for the first weekend opening for this B&B," which turn out to have life-and-death stakes, Jeffrey said.
"The Mousetrap" is a play that has a lot of history behind it, Jeffrey said. It was originally a radio play, before first being performed on stage in 1952. Since then, it has become the longest-running play in the world, he said.
"The Mousetrap" brings together some classic elements of an Agatha Christie mystery, said cast member Erick Harper.
"There are a bunch of very unique, interesting and colorful characters thrown together," Harper said. There's also a sense that everyone is a suspect, he said.
Harper plays Mr. Paravicini, one of the mysterious characters who arrives at the guesthouse.
"He appears out of nowhere, and says his car broke down in the snow," Harper said.
He said it was fun to work with Jeffrey to explore his character, and bring out some of Paravicini's weirdness. Harper drew on sources like movies with Peter Lorre and Bela Lugosi for inspiration.
Jeffrey said "The Mousetrap" has more of a "PG-13," darker tone. Lighting and sound effects will also help to "elevate the creepiness" and the suspense of the play, he said.
"We've got a great cast," Harper said. He praised Hannah Buysse's performance as Mollie Ralston. Harper, who is a teacher at Russell-Tyler-Ruthton School, said it's also been exciting for him to be in a show together some of his former students and his son Andrew, who plays Giles Ralston.
Jeffrey said for him, one of the most fun parts of directing the show has been working with the actors to bring out more layers to their characters.
"It has all come together, and I'm really proud of their dedication," Jeffrey said.
"We're really trying to convey the suspense of what's going on," Harper said. "I think the audience will be on the edge of their seats."
Performances of "The Mousetrap," will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday -Saturday, Nov. 17 and 18, and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 12 and 19. Tickets are available online at onthestage.tickets/show/lake-benton-opera-house, or by calling 507-368-4620.