Sunday, January 8, 2012
Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap
The Tillamook Association for the Performing Arts (TAPA) and Happy Camp Hideaway, along with TLC Federal Credit Union, are pleased to bring the production of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap to Tillamook, which opens on January 20.The Mousetrap takes place at Monkswell Manor in the English Countryside in the 1950s. Playing the newlywed owners of Monkswell Manor Bed and Breakfast are Robert Kratz and Ami Ericson. Shortly after the play begins, Monkswell Manor is visited by guests portrayed by Harrison Kaiser, Karen Martin, Richard Coon, Tatjana Queener, and Phil Gregg. A snowstorm moves in and traps everyone at the manor, cutting them off from civilization. By the end of the following day, someone is dead. In typical Agatha Christie style, we have the pleasure of watching a sleuth piece the puzzle together and in this case the sleuth is portrayed by Steele Fleisher.
The Mousetrap opened in London at the Ambassadors Theater in 1952, then moved to St. Martin’s Theater in 1974 (where it has been running ever since), which makes it the longest running play of modern times. By tradition, at the end of each performance, audiences are asked not to reveal the identity of the killer to anyone outside the theater, to ensure that the end of the play is not spoiled for future audiences. Agatha Christie gave the rights of The Mousetrap to her grandson as a birthday present and one of the stipulations was that no film version can be produced until the original production has been closed for at least six months. The Mousetrap has won audiences over for decades largely to do with Agatha Christie’s popularity as the "Queen of Crime" racking up a record breaking 25,000 performances. Therefore, a film adaptation has never been made.
This is TAPA's first foray into the numerous (87 total) works of Christie. Focusing on the British middle and upper classes, Agatha Christie's stories are whodunits sometimes set in an old country estate in England or in a mansion on a mysterious island or during a frightening train ride, etc. The murders are often extremely ingenious, involving some convoluted piece of deception. Agatha Christie's style is almost a genre in itself. Her stories are rich in taut atmosphere and incredibly well- developed characters who work through a story woven in strong psychological suspense, and all are delivered with her deliberate yet gripping slow pace.
Taking the helm of this production is fourth time director Robert Buckingham. In 2009 Robert directed his first production with TAPA, which was the satirical thriller Murder by the Book. Since then he also directed the chilling drama The Beauty Queen of Leenane in 2010 and Neil Simon’s all-American comedy The Star-Spangled Girl last year.
The Mousetrap will be performed at The Barn Community Playhouse located at 12th and Ivy in Tillamook on Jan 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, then wraps up on Feb 3 and 4. All performances begin at 7:00 p.m. with the exception of the matinée on January 29th, which begins at 2:00 p.m. Doors open one-half hour prior to curtain. There will be an opening night “Champagne Gala” celebration on January 20. The purchase of a ticket includes one beverage on opening night only. Advance tickets and reservations are available through Diamond Art Jewelers at (503) 842-7940. Tickets are going fast so be sure to reserve your seats today. For information please contact info@tillamooktheater.com and find us on facebook.
Pictured in back from left to right are Harrison Kaiser, Ami Ericson, Robert Kratz, Steele Fleisher & Phil Gregg. Pictured in front from left to right are Karen Martin, Richard Coon & Tatjana Queener.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP coming in January
Announcing the cast of Agatha Christie's THE MOUSETRAP
The Tillamook Association for the Performing Arts (TAPA) & Happy Camp Hideaway, along with TLC is thrilled to announce the cast for their upcoming production of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap. Playing the newlywed owners of Monkswell Manor bed and breakfast are Robert Kratz and Ami Ericson. Shortly after the play begins, Monkswell Manor is visited by guests portrayed by Harrison Kaiser, Karen Martin, Richard Coon, Tatjana Queener and Phil Gregg. In typical Agatha Christie style, we are then introduced to a sleuth and in this case the sleuth is portrayed by Steele Fleischer.
The Mousetrap was initially performed as a radio play in 1952 and was broadcast by the BBC under the working title Three Blind Mice. The radio play had been commissioned in 1947 by Queen Mary, who was a Christie fan. The forty-five minute play was based on a short story of a true event on which Christie had been working; however, audience reaction was so positive that Christie went back to work on the script, elaborating on it, and with its first performance on October 6, 1952 and The Mousetrap became a stage play. After a seven-week tour, the play opened in London at The Ambassadors Theatre on November 25,1952. The play later transferred to St. Martin's Theatre in London on March 23, 1974 and has been running there ever since. The Mousetrap has broken several records for its continuous theatrical run since its opening, and it is estimated that more than four million people had seen the play by the time its twenty-five year anniversary was celebrated in 1977. As of 13 October 2011 it has clocked up a record-breaking 24,537 performances, with the play still running at St Martin's Theatre. By tradition, at the end of each performance, audiences are asked not to reveal the identity of the killer to anyone outside the theatre, to ensure that the end of the play is not spoiled for future audiences. The Mousetrap has never been made into a feature film due to the fact that it is still running on stage.
This is TAPA's first foray into the numerous, 87 total, works of the "Queen of Crime" Dame Agatha Christie. Focusing on the British middle and upper classes, Agatha Christie's books are whodunits often set on a country estate in England or during a frightening train ride. The murders are often extremely ingenious, involving some convoluted piece of deception. Agatha Christie's style is almost a genre in itself. With stories rich in taut atmosphere and incredibly well developed characters that work through a story woven in strong psychological suspense, all delivered with her deliberate yet gripping slow pace.
Taking the helm of this production is 4th time director Robert Buckingham. In 2009 Robert directed his first production with TAPA, which was the satirical thriller Murder by the Book. Since then he also directed the chilling drama The Beauty Queen of Leenane in 2010 and the all-American comedy Neil Simon’s The Star-Spangled Girl last year. “It surprised us when we recently realized that we had never done an Agatha Christie play”, said Robert. “So it was time for me to revisit my favorite genre of mystery and I chose her most infamous play”.
The Mousetrap hits the stage at The Barn Community Playhouse located at 12th and Ivy in Tillamook on Jan 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, then wraps up on Feb 3 and 4. All performances begin at 7:00 p.m. with the exception of the matinée on January 29th, which begins at 2:00 p.m. Doors open one-half hour prior to curtain. There will be an opening night “Champagne Gala” celebration on January 20. The purchase of a ticket includes one beverage on opening night only. Advance Tickets and reservations will be available through Diamond Art Jeweler’s at (503) 842-7940. For information please contact info@tillamooktheater.com.
Pictured left to right and back to front- Robert Kratz, Ami Ericson, Harrison Kaiser, Tatjana Queener, Steele Fleisher, Phil Gregg, Karen Martin and Richard Coon.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Auditions December 3rd & 4th
TAPA is pleased to announce an open casting call for WAIT UNTIL DARK. Before the unforgettable film version starring Audrey Hepburn, this electrifying thriller by Frederick Knott was a long running Broadway hit.
As a blind woman struggles to outwit three criminals, she fights for survival using the only weapon she has...total darkness. This deadly cat and mouse game builds to a heart pounding lights out climax that's sure to leave you on the edge of your seat.
Cast includes Susy & San Hendrix, a young married couple. Three men, Mike Talmen, Sgt. Carlino & Harry Roat Jr. - ages are flexible. Gloria, a young teenage girl and two smaller roles for policemen, who could also work backstage during performances.
In addition to the cast, there is always a need for back stage crew and tech crew. This is your chance to be a part of community theater, on stage or behind the scenes. No experience is necessary. No offer of help is to small.
Auditions will be held Saturday December 3rd and Sunday December 4th at 2:00 PM at the Oregon Coast Dance Center at 106 Main in Tillamook. Performance Dates are March 16,17,23,24,25, 30 & 31.
Character development will be studied in December and rehearsals will begin in January. Contact producer Deborah Coon at 842-3999 for more information.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A Moon for the Misbegotten
TAPA and TLC Federal Credit Union announce that, A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN is preparing for the opening performance.
Performance dates are November 25, 26, December 2, 3, 9, 10 & 11. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:00 pm and the Sunday matinee is at 2:00 pm. All performances will take place at The Barn Community Playhouse, 12th and Ivy, Tillamook. Reservations and advance tickets are available at Diamond Art Jewelers, 503-842-7940.
A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN, it is 1923. Connecticut. Summertime. Prohibition is in full swing, even though hardly anyone honors it. People are still drinking and getting drunk. Irish tenant farmer Phil Hogan and his daughter Josie are visited by their friend and landlord James Tyrone. The brazen Josie is secretly in love with James, whose visit sets off a series of events that threaten the very fabric of the love and the friendship of both families. It all comes to a head on a long moonlit night fueled by drink, lust and grief.
Eugene O’Neill is one of America’s greatest playwrights and A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN is exciting , provocative, scandalous and extremely dramatic. You will be touched to your core by its artistic beauty.
This show contains mature material and is not recommended for younger viewers.
Photo #1 Caption: L to R: Scott Campbell (Phil Hogan), Margaret Page (Josie Hogan), Chris Chiola ( T. Steadman Harder) and Mark Johnson (James Tyrone.)
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