Theatre presents “The Mousetrap”

Photo by Tabitha J. Angier / From left Marshall Baybado, McKayla Nitz, Cody Wyld Flower, Danielle Devall, Sydney Bell, Le Bailey, Victoria Ingram and Robert Wilson rehearse for “The Mousetrap.” The Agatha Christie mystery plays out in Schwarz Theatre June 2-4.

EOU theatre season finishes with mystery in “The Mousetrap”

Director Tabitha J. Angier is a senior at EOU this year.

LA GRANDE, Ore. May 27, 2016 – One of Agatha Christie’s most beloved murder mysteries is set to unfold as the finale of the Eastern Oregon University theatre season June 2-4.

“The Mousetrap,” directed by senior theatre major Tabitha J. Angier, of Vacaville, Calif., centers on a group of eight strangers who find themselves stranded during a snowstorm in a boarding house situated in the English countryside. A murderer is in their midst, and the police must reveal the secrets of each boarder in order to identify the suspect.

The play first opened in 1952 in the West End of London and has been surprising audiences ever since.

EOU’s production stars Sydney Bell as Mollie Ralston, Robert Wilson as Giles Ralston, Marshall Baybado as Christopher Wren, McKayla Nitz as Mr Paravacini, Victoria Ingram as Mrs Boyle, Le Bailey as Major Metcalf, Cody Wyld Flower as Sergeant Trotter and Danielle Devall as Miss Casewell.

Many more students, alumni and staff are involved in the show. Danny Bailey, an alumnus and financial aid counselor at EOU, has conquered the intricacy of the set in his first actualized scenic design.

The production staff is comprised of Tyler Rollins on lights, Heidi Gerlach on props, Anna Maxwell on sound, and Sonja Adams on hair and makeup. Cast members are also pulling double duty, with Nitz handling costuming and Wyld Flower working on combat choreography and dialect. Students Cassie Johnson and Alan Stogin round out the stage management crew.

“This show would not be what it is with out the dedication and hard work of all the individuals who have taken the time to help,” Angier said. “Theatre is so much more than the actors you see on stage. It has been a wonderful experience to work with this group of people and I hope they enjoy it as much as I am! I will miss this cast and crew once we close the production and tear down the set.”

Angier has worked behind the scenes as stage manager for five previous EOU productions. She also directed “The Boor” and was the scenic designer for “Proof” and “King Lear.” Her plans after graduation include relocating to Seattle to pursue technical work and eventually becoming a director.

See “The Mousetrap” at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in Schwarz Theatre in Loso Hall.

Tickets are $6 for general admission and EOU students are admitted free with ID. For more information call the box office at 541-962-3757.

To purchase tickets online go to www.ticketpeak.com/res/eou.