Photo credit: Renaissance Theatre Company 

Written by Alina Mae Wilson

The Renaissance Theatre Company’s production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is a very strong rendition of the classic mystery. Generally speaking, the show is entertaining, with a cast of characters that are intriguing enough to hold your attention without veering into the absurd. While the play has comedic overtones, its central plot is inspired by real-life events, adding a layer of gravity that keeps the audience invested.

Story:

The mystery centers on a group of quirky individuals trapped in a boarding house during a blizzard. One of them has already been killed and will likely strike again. Someone among them is in danger, though they either don’t know it or won’t admit it. Meanwhile, another is genuinely trying to unravel the truth. Who is who? What is what? And how will it all be solved? These questions are explored in a humorous and twisted way, keeping the audience guessing right up to the end.

The acting is generally strong and effective. With the audience in close proximity to the performers, each character’s reactions are easily discernible, adding depth to the experience. I enjoyed watching these characters work off of each other and ultimately deal with the stress of being LOCKED IN A HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BLIZZARD WITH A POTENTIAL MURDERER. Sorry, am I yelling? I’m not trying to yell, but I will say, as is common with murder in stories, a good portion of the fun is that you get to walk out saying, “Why in the world would anyone do this???”

It’s worth deciding in advance whether you enjoy “quirky” characters; if you do, you’ll likely find this production highly entertaining. While the actors’ expressions and reactions are clear, as is typical of a mystery, it’s not always obvious why they respond in certain ways. Searching for subtleties in the quieter moments is part of the play’s pleasure and keeps you engaged.

From Left: Alexandros Ruppert, Annika Green, Rachel Delaurenti, Ryan Bartz, Cathy DeBano

Set/Costume Design:

The set is spacious enough to believably serve as a boarding house. The décor is simple but fits the setting, making it clear that this isn’t supposed to be a grand palace. In this sense, it works perfectly, with the darker parts of the set enhancing the overall sense of mystery. Similarly, the costumes are “simple but effective,” aligning with the characters’ roles without being as boldly contrasting as, say, Clue. This understated approach is fitting and serves the story well.

Overall:

This was a fun and engaging show. The actors deliver strong performances, the set and lighting are effective, and the story is enjoyable. While it may not be a thrilling masterpiece, it’s certainly a worthwhile way to spend your evening—especially if you’re in the mood to solve a puzzle.

Review

8.1 Overall

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Story8.5

Acting8

Set & Design8

Costumes7.8

Entertainment8

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Good Show! OCR Recommended! Sep 27 – 29, Oct 4-6,2024.