Next Act Theatre presents THE MOUSETRAP

Doug Jarecki, Libby Amato, Rudy Galvan, Jonathan Gillard Daly, Casey Hoekstra, Margaret Casey, Lillian Brown, and Josh Krause in Next Act Theatre's production of MOUSETRAP by Agatha Christie, through December 17, 2023, in Milwaukee. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

By Mary Boyle

Besides Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with his brilliant Sherlock Holmes, There may be no name more synonymous with the murder mystery and crime fiction genre than the great Agatha Christie, who wrote 66 detective novels, many featuring her famous characters, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.  However, Dame Christie also holds the title for writing the longest running play, THE MOUSETRAP which, aside from a short break due to Covid, has been playing in the West End since 1952.  Now through December 17th, Next Act Theatre brings this quintessential English production to Milwaukee audiences, so we can see what all the fuss is about across the pond.

Set in a grand old home called Monkswell Manor in the winter of 1952, we meet young newlyweds Giles and Mollie Ralston (Josh Krause and Lillian Brown), who are opening their Inn for the very first time.  With the news of a recent murder in London on the radio and blizzard conditions settling in outside, the couple are greet their unusual collection of first guest: Christopher Wren (Rudy Galvan), an eccentric and exuberant young man; Mrs. Boyle (Margaret Casey), a discriminating and condescending old widow; Major Metcalf (Doug Jarecki), a retired veteran; Miss Casewell (Libby Amato), a mysterious and modern woman; and finally, Mr. Paravicini (Jonathan Gillard Daly), an unexpected guest brought by the storm.  Trapped in the manor by the storm, the Ralstons and their guests have varying reactions to the news that a Detective Sargeant Trotter (Casey Hoekstra) is being sent to the manor; after all, it must be serious if he insists on arriving in the midst of a snowstorm.

Directed by Mar MacDonald Kerr, Mousetrap features a strong cast of mainly Milwaukee favorites.  Josh Krause and Casey Hoekstra are both excellent and quickly becoming two of my favorite Wisconsin actors.  They’ve both been making a name for themselves on the stage at American Players Theatre in recent years, but have also been seen at Next Act and several other Milwaukee stages. Doug Jarecki, Jonathan Gillard Daly and Margaret Casey are Milwaukee pillars, while Libby Amato, who is also the Managing Director at Next Act, has been a quiet but consistent local presence for the past decade. Lillian Brown and Rudy Galvan make impressive Next Act debuts. 
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The cast lineup, alone, would be a draw to any local theatre aficionado, but if that doesn’t do it, then the appeal of seeing such a longstanding classic of English theatre should.  Of course, I wouldn’t want to give any hints on this whodunnit, but I will say that Christie was brilliant at keeping audiences, and readers, wondering until the very end; after all, there must be a reason this show has lasted as long as it has and why Agatha Christie is still so well recognized.  The set design by Lisa Schlenker and costumes by Jason Orlenko are as impressive as the cast, leading to a brilliant bit of theatre that truly shouldn’t be missed.  On top of all of that, Next Act has a conveniently-placed, modern theater with good parking and accessibility, so you really have no excuse not to see this gem and solve the mystery of The Mousetrap for yourself.
 
THE MOUSETRAP runs through December 17th at Next Act Theatre, located at 255 S. Water Street in Milwaukee.  Tickets may be purchased at www.nextact.org or by calling (414) 278-0765.
 
About Next Act Theatre
Since 1990, Next Act Theatre has been engaging the hearts and minds of audiences with intimate, compelling productions intended to stimulate thought, foster the exchange of ideas, and promote the development of new perspectives and understanding.  Next Act believes that stories work best when they involve characters in the midst of a struggle or a quest. Audiences identify with them, becoming emotionally and intellectually invested. The character’s situation, tragedy or triumph becomes the audiences’ to endure, mourn or celebrate. The theatre proves itself, then, as essential to the nourishment of our human spirit by bringing us together to examine, experience and explore the human condition, perhaps coming away with knowledge and perspective that only a good story can deliver.