Tillamook presents a killer comedy
The Tillamook Association for the Performing Arts is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a revival of Ira Levin’s popular thriller “Deathtrap,” opening this Friday, Oct. 14.
The play was first performed by TAPA players in 2001. Gerry Cortimilia was the stage manager for the original production and is thrilled to be on stage this time around. A hilarious memory of one of the performances was when a “corpse” had an uncontrollable coughing fit on stage. A sympathetic audience member tossed a throat lozenge on stage and audiences laughed while the “corpse” reached out a hand, unwrapped the lozenge, and then put it in their mouth. That’s the joy of live theater; you never know what might happen.
This production is directed by James Meritt and produced by Robert Buckingham.
Comfortably ensconced in his charming Connecticut home, Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers played by Chris Chiola, is struggling to overcome a dry spell which has resulted in a string of failures and a shortage of funds. A possible break in his fortune occurs when he receives a script, a thriller from Clifford Anderson, played by Matthew Allen Bergkamp, a student in the seminar Sidney has been conducting at a nearby college. Sidney immediately recognizes the script by his student as a potential Broadway hit. Sidney and his wife, Myra, played by Berta Limbaugh, devise a plan, which on the surface is to offer Clifford a collaboration with the successful playwright for co-credit; an idea he quickly accepts. Audiences soon find out there is a deeper plot afoot. The Bruhls’ new neighbor, psychic Helga ten Dorp, played by Kristi Hanson, senses danger and tries to warn everyone, only to be ignored. Sidney’s attorney, Porter Milgrim, played by Gerry Cortimilia, visits their cottage to discuss Sidney’s predicament and luckily escapes involvement in the twisted plot; or does he?
“Deathtrap,” intended for mature audiences, is a delightful ride which mixes the classic “who done it” style and adds in a touch of “wait, what just happened!!?” and also provides twists and turns of devilish cleverness then hilariously offers sudden shocks in such abundance that audiences will be enthralled and spellbound until the final, startling moments of the play.
Performances will be held at 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 29, with Sunday matinées at 2 pm through Oct. 30, in the Barn Community Playhouse at 12th and Ivy in Tillamook. Opening night is Gala Night where each ticket holder receives one free beverage and complimentary hors d'oeuvres.
Tickets are $15. For more information, go to tillamooktheater.com or call 503-812-0275.