DEATHTRAP
Photo by John Dlugolecki.
I don’t have too much critique of this latest production at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. All you really need to know is that it’s a fun modern presentation of an entertaining old play. If you’ve never seen Deathtrap before, I suggest you see it now, while you have the chance.
I, of course, (as a theaterphile,) had seen a previous version of it, and the Michael Caine-Christopher Reeve film, too. So, I knew there were plot twists, (which it’s famous for,) but I must have blocked-out what they are, so I’d be able to be surprised again, should I get the chance. And now, here that opportunity finally was!
It’s a smart play for this theatre to produce. It’s designed for just one set and only five characters. It’s an Equity-waiver (99 seats) theatre’s dream! And that of the audience, as well.
Christopher Cappiello, Karesa McElheny, and Shaw Purnell. Photo by Gina Long.
My friend Alice and I enjoyed it a lot. At one point, we even screamed, and grabbed each other’s hands, which was a first!
While the story is suspenseful, it’s also quite amusing. There are lots of laughs.
And once again for the Sierra Madre Playhouse, Deathtrap features a great set, designed by John Vertrees. And the cast is good, too. They each portray just what they need to. (And it finally dawned on me who the lead, Christopher Cappiello, looks just like—Ray Liotta! Let me know if you see it, too, when you attend the show.)
One of the lobby displays. Photo by Karen Salkin.
And, as usual, the lobby displays are quite interesting. There are lots of cute touches, including one area featuring several Magic 8 Balls that you can use on the spot. Thank goodness one of them predicted only great things coming up for me. Whew!
Of course, as usual for all shows, I’m sure I could find a few small faults, but it’s so fun overall that I don’t really feel like nit-picking. It was so entertaining, that I just went along for the ride. I actually put down my pad and pen and didn’t even take notes during it! And, trust me, you don’t want to space-out for even a second with this one!
Christopher Cappiello and Don Savage. Photo by Gina Long.
The whole experience of opening night was so enjoyable that I never even checked the time, even during the post-performance fete! Speaking of that, it was a really nice party, in what I believe may be the Playhouse’s rehearsal space, across the street from the theatre. There was lots of healthful food, (such as turkey burgers, quinoa salad, and mini grilled cheeses complete with tomato soup!,) catered by Mad Chef Kitchen. They did more than a lot with no cooking facilities on the premises!
We loved chatting with the David Tolemy, the adorable young actor in the play. He had suffered a strange wardrobe malfunction that night, (one that’s happened to me three times at important events,) so we had a good laugh about how well he had handled it.
Christopher Cappiello, Shaw Purnell, and David Tolemy. Photo by Gina Long.
I also enjoyed running into an actor I had worked with many years ago. It was Bill Smitrovich, who played the father on Life Goes On, a TV series I had a gig on in my formative show business years. His real-life wife, Shaw Purnell, (great name, by the way!,) plays the wife in Deathtrap, and Bill could not have been more supportive of her returning to the biz after raising a family. I love a proud mate. It always reminds me of how Mr. X was about my show, (which he actuallyd me into doing! But that’s a story for another time.)
On the way home, Alice and I discussed everything about the evening. When I got in, I asked Mr. X why he was in bed. And he told me that it was almost 1AM! I hadn’t even noticed those hours passing! To me, that’s the sign of a good time being had.
So, I hope you go out to that adorable town soon, and have just as good an evening at Deathtrap as I did!
Deathtrap running through February 20, 2016
Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 626-355-4318 www.sierramadreplayhouse.org
