Tony-nominated ‘Deathtrap’ finishes Lyric season
Twists, turns, chills and thrills are all part of a performance of “Deathtrap” by the Old Lyric Repertory Company in Logan. The production is the final of four productions to open as part of the 2008 summer season and is directed by Corey Ewan. Opening night is Thursday, July 10, with a 7:30 p.m. curtain. Performances continue July 11 and 12 and the production joins the rolling repertory schedule.
The Old Lyric Repertory Company is a production program based in the Department of Theatre at Utah State University in Logan, and is a part of the Caine School of the Arts and the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Home to the company is the Caine Lyric Theatre, 28 W. Center Street, Logan.
“It’s a thriller,” said Ewan. “There’s something innate in everybody. They want to get scared.”
Deathtrap follows the story of Sidney Bruhl, a formerly successful playwright now in a rut, who sees a solution to his problem when a student approaches him with a script. Recognizing the student’s work as a hit, Bruhl and his wife come up with a plan to get their hands on the script by offering the student help. The ensuing drama will keep audiences guessing until the curtain closes.
Ewan said the show is very well written and he wanted to direct it since he read the script while going to school at Utah State University. Audiences will love the mystery but will also enjoy the comedy aspect, he said.
The play only has five people and one set, which is part of the fun, Ewan said.
“You create tension because you stay in that room,” he said. “You don’t know who you can trust and who you can’t. It’s a good, fun thriller. The nice thing is hearing the audience’s reactions. That’s the fun part and it jazzes the actors up.”
The cast of Deathtrap is stellar, Ewan said.
“If there’s a prize for getting the best cast, I won,” he said. “The show’s gonna be awesome.”
With three visiting graduate students from Rutgers University and two OLRC veterans, Ewan said he is excited for audiences to see the chemistry between the actors. He said the actors in “Deathtrap” are a lot of fun to work with and love what they do. Returning to Logan is USU alum Richie Call, now completing graduate work at Rutgers along with cast members Sasha Kaye and Joe Tisa. Rounding out the cast are OLRC veterans William Grey Warren and Keri Larsen.
Ewan said he cannot wait to see what they bring to the stage, adding that this group of actors make everything a fun experience.
“They play,” he said. “We sometimes forget play is a verb.”
Evening performances of Deathtrap run July 10-12, 15, 25, 30 and Aug. 2, at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are July 12 and Aug. 2 at 2 p.m.
For OLRC ticket information visit the OLRC Web site (www.usu.edu/lyric) and click “Tickets and Passes,” call the Caine Lyric Theatre box office, (435) 752-1500, or the Caine School of the Arts box office, (435) 797-8022. The Caine Lyric Theatre’s box office is at 28 W. Center Street in Logan.
Ticket prices vary based on seating, and discounts are available for youth, seniors and USU faculty, staff and students. Adult evening tickets range from $21-$25. For details, call the box offices or visit the OLRC Web site.
The Old Lyric Repertory presents four productions in repertory this summer at the Caine Lyric Theater, 28 W. Center Street, Logan. “Deathtrap” joins “The Dresser,” “Beau Jest” and “Chaps!” The season runs June 12 through Aug. 2. Students working in the OLRC High School Apprentice program also present a production that is open to the public.