More Comic Than Macabre

Deathtrap

Receiving rave reviews when it opened back in 1978, DEATHTRAP played on Broadway for four years and was nominated for 4 Tony Awards. A few years later it was adapted into a successful film starring Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve and Dyan Cannon. For a while it was a staple of educational, regional and community theatre, but it’s been a while since this play was produced in Chicagoland. For his 2023-24 Season of Passion, Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass asked guest director Jason Harrington (director of last season’s THE ODD COUPLE) to dust off this clever thriller by Ira Levin. If his name sounds familiar, he’s the author of such popular works as Rosemary’s Baby, The Stepford Wives and The Boys From Brazil. Judging from the gasps and guffaws during the opening night performance, for many theatergoers this play was a brand new thriller. 

The play is filled with murder, twists and turns, some shocking character reversals and abundant black humor juxtaposed against acts of brutal violence. To savor this unique murder mystery, audiences can head to the venue named as Naperville’s  “most popular live entertainment” for several years running. There theatergoers will be greatly rewarded. Patrons looking for an intense, scary mystery play should know, however, that this thriller is more comic than macabre. 

The play begins simply enough. Once the toast of Broadway, and specializing in mysteries and thrillers, Sidney Bruhl used to be a famous, successful playwright. But for the last several years, Bruhl’s been suffering from writer’s block. He’s been keeping busy teaching seminars and workshops to hopeful younger writers while trying to restart his own creative juices. Sidney and his wife Myra live comfortably off her money. They reside in the Connecticut countryside in a stylishly remodeled farm building. The house has been decorated with theatrical posters, antiques and a large array of weapons that figured prominently in Sidney’s plays.

Then, right into Sidney’s lap drops a brilliant new thriller written by Clifford Anderson, one of his recent students. The play is so bloody good that Bruhl wishes he’d written it himself. As he shares that dream with Myra, she suggests that Sidney call the young man, invite him to their home and perhaps collaborate on the final rewrite. In this way Sidney could enjoy the success of another Broadway hit, help foster the talents of a young would-be writer and start to feel productive once again. However, when Sidney’s imagination begins to wander Myra begins worrying that her husband may be thinking of doing something rash…like murdering Clifford, stealing his promising script and putting his own name on the title page.

Add to the mix two more characters. Helga ten Dorp, an internationally renowned European psychic who’s renting the  vacated cottage next door. The elderly woman pays Sidney and Myra a visit to warn them of the terrible visions she’s felt emanating from the Bruhl’s home. Later, Sidney’s friend and attorney, Porter Milgrim, arrives to review his client’s financial status and to suggest updating his will. Violence, plot twists and unexpected character developments provide continual surprises for the audience as the story gathers momentum and frantically drives to its final, startling conclusion.

Jason Harrington has done a fine job of directing his production, both keeping it well-paced and on track. Audiences already familiar with the script will enjoy how Mr. Harrington has focused on the nuanced clues hidden within the dialogue. Those new to this play, however, will delight meeting Levin’s interesting characters and journeying through this twisted story for the first time. Jason has accentuated the comedy in this production more than the chills. Although there are a few times when the audience leap out of their seats in surprise, it’s the laughter and applause that rewards the cast for their hard work. 

Talented scenic designer Eric Luchen has returned to BrightSide and to create another terrific, thoroughly handsome and polished stage setting. Designing for a thrust stage can be challenging, but Eric always manages to deliver, even considering the sight lines of the audience. Kurt Ottinger adds appropriate lightning, day and night, and special atmospheric illumination for a raging thunderstorm. Jeffrey Cass selects special sound effects and Jason Harrington creates a perfect musical soundtrack for this mystery. And Cheryl Newman’s costumes, while simple, are appropriate for the characters who wear them.

Returning to the BrightSide stage, Scott Kelley makes a convincing and conniving Sidney Bruhl. At times on opening night the actor fumbled some of his lines, but with his jitters out of the way Mr. Kelley should be sailing smoothly from now on. The character’s enthusiasm gradually builds as he convinces his wife that stealing his young protege’s script is the only way to restore his own success as a playwright. Lovely Marianne Embree is excellent and realistic as Myra. Absolutely relatable, Myra cares so much for her husband and his happiness, that Ms. Embree’s character blindly puts Sidney first in everything she says and does. 

As Clifford, Tyler Szarabajka makes his professional debut in this production. The young actor shows great promise. Talented, good-looking and filled with youthful eagerness, Tyler brings a refreshing honesty and wholesomeness to his character, which later the actor effectively turns on a dime to show his true colors. Hopefully in the future we’ll see much more of this young actor in area productions. John Zimmerman makes his third appearance on the BrightSide stage, taking on the role of attorney Porter Milgrim, Sidney’s trusted friend. A skillful and energetic actor, Mr. Zimmerman is excellent as a cautious professional and conscientious family man who only wants the best for his friend. 

As Psychic Helga ten Dorp, however, Lisa Braatz doesn’t fare quite as well as her cast mates. Ms. Braatz plays her character more like a caricature than a real person. Perhaps this is inherent in Levin’s writing of the role, but the character seems to be living in a different universe. Played over the top, the staged gestures, bizarre mannerisms, inconsistent dialect and takes toward the audience stand out. A simpler portrayal that’s more grounded in reality, where the humor doesn’t feel as planned, would land much better. Helga is certainly a comical character but the humor shouldn’t be so forced. Let it flow naturally from the woman’s eccentricity.

BrightSide Theatre’s Season of Passion continues with this well-produced revival of one of theatre’s finest comic-mysteries. Ira Levin is quite well-represented in Jason Harrington’s humorous production. It’s a well-directed and finely produced entertainment that features a talented cast, introducing some new area actors while welcoming a number of fine, familiar faces. Upon enjoying this whimsical thriller, audiences will be leaving the theatre thoroughly duped and delighted, but more from humor than horror.  

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 8-24 by BrightSide Theatre, performed at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 630-447-8497 or by going to www.brightsidetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.