– A REVIEW of:
Standing Room Only (SRO) presents Agatha Christie’s THE MOUSETRAP
by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.



Councilors EJ Curry, Molly Carmody & Mayor JW Foster on-stage
at The Mousetrap premier at The Triad Theater, March 2nd.
Photo courtesy: City of Yelm Government Facebook


– Agatha Christie’s THE MOUSETRAP arrives on the Yelm stage!
Co-Producers Dawn Young and Richard Frias have brilliantly crafted a not-to-be-missed HIT for Yelm during the month of March! Superbly Directed in Yelm by Chris Cantrell.
The Mousetrap’s all-star Cast: Alex Brown, Drew Doyle, Jeremy Chenvert, Jesse S. Geray, Kellie Petersen, Kevin McManus, Paige Doyle, Rebekah Bonnett.


– The Stage and Ambiance a patron experiences on entering the theater:
After observing the evolution of our community theater for over 2 decades, walking into The Triad Theater to see the performance of Agatha Christie’s THE MOUSETRAP, I immediately observed the upgraded quality in the sets. Never before has The Triad stage been so expertly prepared for an SRO show, and I have witnessed former SRO Producer/Director Nancy Hillman craft some amazing sets in a very confirmed space!
The stage, ambiance, lighting, and music combined to provide for delightful anticipation upon entering the theater. Set Construction and Property Master Dahlia Young, Kyle Burke on Props, Noah Lyons as SFX/Spotlight Operator and Sterling Opsahl as Lightboard Operator all created the synergy required to make the intricate work superbly.


– The Cast:
Eight very strong cast members demonstrated the immense talent we have in this community:
New to the SRO stage were husband/wife team Paige and Drew Doyle. Their previous experiences in Southern California brought a professional edge to this show that again reflected in the evolution of SRO’s quality performances. Paige Doyle had the lead role that weaved together most every scene and she was superb. I noted Doyle has a young Julie Andrews quality in her presence and was quite the delight to observe in how she would convey her character to the audience. Her husband Drew added the perfect balance to their also being a married couple in their respective roles. He did not over-shadow her, yet intricately added authenticity in his role.

Jesse Geray has become a stage favorite and he did his best work in this performance of any I’ve seen. I watched him even when he did not have a speaking part and his presence throughout the performance was stellar. He has evolved thorough each of his SRO roles and he brilliantly pulled-off his character’s qualities and quirks.

Kellie Petersen – if there was an award for best performance in this show, Petersen would aptly win this, hands-down. Like Geray, she did her best work in this performance of any I’ve seen. Geray & Petersen’s sterling performances had me lose who they are in their real lives and I was totally enamored with their characters, something I’ve always called “real quality performances.” Her character’s wardrobe would also win hands-down.

Alex Brown – while only his 2nd SRO show at The Triad, I would have to say Alex was the biggest pleasant surprise for me of the evening. This demanding role required a strong performance and Brown did not disappoint and was truly outstanding. His part was very dialogue-heavy and he enunciated his lines with a professional quality without missing a beat. With experienced professionals to engage on-stage, I was so pleased at how he rose-up to the challenge. Applause to Alex’s fine work – well-done!

Rebekah Bonnett was a favorite from SRO’s Spamlot and glad to see her return to SRO’s stage. She had a pivotal performance whose character was expressed more through body language than dialogue. She was amazing in this task.

Jeremy Chenvert’s first full SRO show also reflected his presence in his character, rather than much dialogue. He was excellent and I hope to see him evolve more on SRO’s stage in Yelm!

And last, community favorite Kevin McManus can add another feather in his cap with an outside-of-the-box role that demonstrated his versatility. While not heavy on dialogue, his character required intonations, expressions, foreign accent acumen, and key motions and movements to be credible, exactly where McManus shined. As usual, Kevin has a huge stage presence yet never outshines other performers, something I admire. As commented here previously, SRO Board member Dave Champagne has these same qualities. BRAVO Kevin.


– The Producers & Director
Co-Producers Dawn Young and Ricard Frias have brilliantly crafted a not-to-be-missed HIT for Yelm during the month of March!
Director Chris Cantrell’s experience in Olympia theater brought together diverse talent to create a synergy for a show that will make history and be long-remembered in Yelm.


– The Behind-the-Scenes folks
So many of our area friends and neighbors contributed their time and energy to this show and also deserve praise and recognition. Stage Manager, Asst. Stage Manager, Triad Technical Director, Set/Prop Wrangler, Costumes, Set design/Painting, Construction, Photographer, Webmaster, Programs, etc. A Standing Ovation to all of you turning the sows ear of The Triad’s stage into a silk purse of a masterpiece! Your work and effort was noted, right down to the quality programs.


– BOTTOM LINE
Don’t miss this show!
WHEN: Every weekend of March, Friday & Saturday curtain at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Triad Theater in Yelm.
BUY TICKETS: At the door or online at www.srotheater.org.


– About Agatha Christie’s THE MOUSETRAP
THE MOUSETRAP is the longest running theatrical production in history. This iconic play has now been running continuously in London for sixty four years – accumulating over 26,000 performances. Based on a radio play called Three Blind Mice, which Agatha Christie originally wrote for the occasion of Queen Mary’s 80th birthday in 1947, Christie subsequently adapted it into a stage play several years later.

Mysterious twists and thrilling turns abound when a group of strangers stranded in a guest house during a snowstorm discover that a murderer is in their midst. Whodunit? Is it one of the suspicious newlyweds or the spinster with the curious background? Perhaps it’s the architect, the retired Army major or the strange man running from his past. In an evening of exhilarating intrigue, Agatha Christie’s greatest mystery unfolds to a surprising conclusion. The identity of the killer in the play has always been a closely guarded secret, and audiences of THE MOUSETRAP have always been asked to take a pledge not to reveal “whodunit” to others who have not yet seen the play, in order not to spoil the surprise ending!