Step into 'Deathtrap'
With its new show this week, Butler Little Theatre brings a huge Broadway box office success to the boards here in Butler. "Deathtrap" by Ira Levin opens Friday as directed by Ron Lockwood and produced by Kris Bearer.
A uniquely crafted play, "Deathtrap" blends thrills and suspense with a great deal of humor.
It will feature BLT veteran Gary Collar of Butler as Sidney Bruhl. The character of Bruhl "is self centered and uses people for his own ends," explained Collar.
"He had one hit play and needs money and will do anything to reach his selfish goals," he added.
Collar auditioned for the play because he knew it had the stuff to engage an audience.
"I thought it was a play that would hold audience attention with the convoluted action and, yes, humor that surrounds the many odd characters," he said. "The role had interest for me because it is a challenge worth the effort."
Another veteran to share the stage is Shirley Ann Minehart who will play the role of Helga ten Dorp.
Though she hasn't been on stage since 2005 because of a grueling work schedule, Minehart said she is looking forward to getting back into the groove.
"Because of the demands of my schedule, I only audition for a show when a character jumps off the page," she said. "I read the script last summer with the intention to direct it, but I was so taken by the character of Helga, I decided it would be more fun to take a shot at the role."
When she was cast by director Lockwood, Minehart was thrilled. "Helga ten Dorp is a psychic and is proud to let you know it. By her manner, it is difficult to know if she is genuine, but her predictions seem to always be right," Minehart said.
Minehart said she is enjoying a role that is a stretch for her. "While my intuition is strong, I would hardly consider myself as having psychic abilities and while always eager to help, I am not a busybody. What makes playing Helga so much fun is how far she is outside of me," she said.
"I get a real kick out of how she capitalizes on opportunity in the end, although I question the ethics that I thought were intact until then."
In the role of Porter Milgrim is BLT newcomer Harley Allen of Gibsonia.
"Porter Milgrim is the attorney of the main character, Sydney," Allen said. "He is straight laced and somewhat suspicious of the young man who comes to work for his client-friend."
Allen auditioned at the recommendation of a friend and has found his time with the show to be quite rewarding.
"My experience at BLT has been wonderful," he said. "The cast members and production crew have been very friendly and welcoming; they have made me feel at home. I look forward to continuing my involvement at BLT."
The show also features Susan Sontum as Myra Bruhl and Bob Craig as Clifford Anderson.
The show opens on Friday and runs through Jan. 31.
<B>WHO: </B>Butler Little Theatre<B>WHAT: </B>"Deathtrap" by Ira Levin<B>WHEN: </B>8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays from Jan. 23 to 31<B>WHERE: </B>One Howard St.<B>TICKETS: </B>$10; call 724-287-6781 between 7 and 9 p.m.<B>INFORMATION: </B>www.bltgroup.org
