Article by Brae Foust
What begins as a look into the mind of a struggling playwright quickly twists into something far more sinister. How far would you go to receive that glory that you once held in your possession? If you were handed the key to getting it back, what would you do about it? From the moment the lights come up, Deathtrap by Ira Levin pulls the audience into a world where ambition, deception, and possible danger collide.
This production is not like anything that is typically seen at the Lyric, in that it is dialogue heavy and not action packed, but all this is by design. You look at the set design, which once you do, you’ll realize why the play is called ‘Death Trap,’ and it forces the audience to listen to every word spoken. Even with jokes thrown in, the play makes the audience member question ‘will this person actually do it? Is that really in the cards for these characters?’ Just when you think you have a grasp of what is to come next, they switch it up again in a plot twist I didn’t even see coming.
Sidney Bruhl, played by Levi Packer, is the struggling playwright in question. Packer gets to show off the acting chops showing the steady decline of a man who is desperate to get that one idea that will catapult him back to the top. It’s a slow and steady build with subtle hints that he portrays that makes you question everything he does. His wife Myra, played by Tracy Brandon Tucker, is the supporting spouse that does question her husband in hopes that he is still the same man she married. Brandon Pierce plays the optimistic up and coming playwright, Clifford Anderson, who gives Sidney either the play of his dreams or the play of his demise.
Suzi Harkey plays Helga ten Dorp who is a Dutch psychic, and Harkey has a blast in the scenes she is in playing with an accent and her dramatic takes to what she sees the future to be. Finally, we got Tim Hendricks who plays Porter Mildrim, Sidney’s lawyer. Hendricks gets to have fun as well being the ‘on-the-clock’ lawyer to Sidney but also is kindhearted to him in a sad time.
All in all, the show is different but in a good way for the Lyric & Nancy Jo Humfeld let the actors on stage get a chance to show off their acting chops. I can’t describe the setting that much because it kind of gives away the title, but I will say it is a sight to see. I can’t recommend this show enough, especially to those who love the slow build to a big climax in both acts. Grab your tickets now at brownwoodlyrictheatre.com. They will run live shows from the 10th to the 19th on Friday, Saturdays, and Sundays. Fridays are at 7:30 PM, Saturdays will run two shows at 2:30 and 7:30, and Sundays will run matinees at 2:30 PM. Don’t miss your chance to experience a night of twists, tension, and wickedly clever surprises—Deathtrap will keep you guessing long after the final curtain falls.
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Brae Foust, along with being a DJ for KOXE radio and Sports Broadcaster for local area sports, is a classically trained Baritone who graduated with a degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University. He has performed regionally with the Texas Tech Opera Theatre, Amarillo Opera, and Lubbock Moonlight Musicals. Additionally, he has performed around the country, including Lincoln Center in New York City.
