Sunday, March 16, 2025

Showtime Once Again!

 


Sitting in an empty theatre is one of my many joys. I love the quiet space which clears my mind and gets me ready for everyone to join me. The only sound in the Furth is the vacuum cleaner here and there upstairs, but the concert hall is empty and quiet except for the hum of the furnaces. Here I am again…one show after another. As I always say, will the magic appear? Will we be able to do this again? The truth is, I could never do this without my team. Lydia Roop stepped up at assistant director last year and she is my knight in shining armor. The first few rehearsals that we shared last spring, she was a bit nervous to speak up. We had a long talk about that. I chose her because she has the uncanny ability to see what needs to be done with our actors, and she does it.

Sean Carpenter is part of our dream team this semester too. He graduated from Trine last spring, but just can’t let go of our theatre! I have appreciated all of his work behind the scenes, even though he really wants to be on the stage himself. It is good for actors to take on different roles so they can understand the working of the theatre a little better. Joanna Claudy is a wonderful addition to our dream team as she has taken over costumes and make-up making my life so much easier. Dr. Tim Hopp has put together the team building walls and getting everything set up.

Being a director of a play is the job I love. It is my utmost privilege to be able to spend my time with the Trine community in bringing our fall show, “The Mousetrap,” to you. Let’s chat a bit about the show. It was originally written as a short radio piece, twenty minutes, for the BBC titled, “Three Blind Mice.” It was such a hit that Christie turned it into a full show and renamed it, “The Mousetrap.” She never thought it would turn into a hit, so she actually gave the rights to her nine-year-old grandson, Matthew Prichard, as a gift. The show opened on November 25, 1952. Much to everyone’s surprise, not only did it become a hit production, but it now is the longest running play in the history of the world running for 72 years. The only time it stopped production, of course, was during the pandemic. As soon as possible, it was back up running. “The Mousetrap” has been translated into 27 languages and has played in 50 countries. Christie also said that no film could be made of this show until it has stopped running. One has to wonder if that will ever happen.

In producing this show, I have had many comments of folks seeing the show. London, New York, and other major cities have produced this show. Now the chance has come for you to see what everyone is talking about…except the ending! If you have been to see this show, don’t give it away! In fact, you will get a chance to vote for the killer in this marvelous “who dun it” during intermission. You will want to watch carefully as the plot unfolds.

Last night was our first tech rehearsal, and our tech producer, Seth Pendergass, couldn’t wait for the end to see it he was right! He wasn’t!! Sometimes during rehearsals, I sit completely on the edge of my seat enthralled with my students and just simply loving the show so much! Last night was also the first night with microphones and stage lighting. We have a few new students in the cast this year so all of that is brand new. It does take a little time to get used to the added technology.

We, the Trine University Theatre, is so proud to bring this show to you. Sometimes we need a time and place to just get away from everything. Theatre will do that for you. I invite you to come early and stay late and become part of our theatre magic as you watch this fun show.

Tickets are on sale on the T. Furth Center for the Performing Arts website and available, of course, at the door. Thank you for supporting our theatre. We are thrilled and excited for this weekend after the months of rehearsals.

After all, we do want to know who dun it! See you in the theatre.


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