Opening Night this past Friday was packed! Thank you to everyone who came to any performance during Opening Weekend. Here are some of the comments we’ve heard so far:
“Great show! Thank you!” – Gently Spoken Communications in Anoka.
“I had no idea who did it! Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time! Very well done.” – Opening Night guest from Minneapolis.
If you happened to see it this past weekend, let us know what you thought!
Check out this great video from the cast of The Mousetrap. This classic Agatha Christie murder mystery play performs January 15-31, 2010.
Thank you to Tim Carlquist for creating this video.
The Mousetrap: 01/14/2010, 11:00 a.m.: It’s the final dress rehearsal! This series flew by! Take a look back through the series to see how quickly things came together, and how important it is for us to have a great set crew and artistic staff for each and every show. What’s your favorite part of the set? (Ladders excluded.)
The Mousetrap: 01/13/2010, 11:00 a.m.: Only one more day of “Evolution of a Set!” Today is all about the last minute sweat and tears getting to the finish line. We’ll finish trim, painting, setting props, hanging curtains, cleaning the theater, and more. Tomorrow we’ll be able to turn on the lights, sit back, and enjoy the final dress rehearsal!
The Mousetrap: 01/12/2010, 11:00 a.m.: Today’s picture represents how important stage lighting is to the final production. There are actually two evergreen trees on stage in this picture, one being real, one being made of fake materials, but neither can be seen with this particular lighting. The Lighting Director is currently making the final touches to the lighting design which will be used in the final production.
The Mousetrap: 01/11/2010, 11:00 a.m.: Alas, the bay window has arrived. Not painted quite yet, but still it is in place. Tech week has officially begun, and that means more volunteers, longer hours, more details, and ultimately more results. We’d love to hear your feedback while we’re in this final push to get things completed! Or even questions that you have about construction or even volunteering on the set crew. Fill out the comment box below so your voice can be heard!
The Mousetrap: 01/08/2010, 11:00 a.m.: There are no huge changes today as painting continues as well as the construction of the bay window back in the scene shop. Patrick commented that with this large of a set he is happy that construction is almost completed because he’s almost out of materials! He’s either a really a good estimator or this set is gigantic…or both.
The Mousetrap: 01/07/2010, 11:00 a.m.: We’ve hit the turning point where the stage is really transforming into the mansion that is set just outside of London. Most of the furniture you see is from our own collection, with a few loaned items from Lyric Arts’ supporters. The last major construction element to come is the bay window in center stage. Currently there is just a large gap between stage left and stage right, but we’re hoping to get that finished soon.
Lyric Arts sat down with director of The Mousetrap, Matthew McNabb, to see if we could get any clues about this hilarious murder mystery.
LA: Tell us a little bit about why this particular mystery play interested you.
MM: I am a little boy at heart so murder mysteries and suspenseful plays are right up my alley! On top of that, The Mousetrap is probably the most famous murder mystery of all time.
LA: For those that are unfamiliar with Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap can you tell us about the show?
MM: Newlyweds Mollie and Giles Ralston have turned Monkswell Manor, a once regal estate, into guest house. As they welcome their first guests, the news on the radio relates the story of a murder in London. A blizzard rages outside and the guests and hosts are snowed in. Connections with the London murder arise and as the story unfolds, we find that no one is who they appear to be…
LA: Can you tell us a little bit about the playwright, Agatha Christie?
MM: Agatha Christie, affectionately nicknamed the “Queen of Crime”, was an English writer of novels, short stories and plays. She wrote over 80 detective novels and countless plays and short stories. She is credited as the most important and innovative writer in the crime genre. She is the best selling writer of all time and only the bible has outsold her collected body of work.
LA: This is your third time directing with Lyric Arts, tell us about your experience and why you like directing here?
MM: The Pirates of Penzance was the most fun I have ever had in the theater and Wait Until Dark was probably my most successful and creatively satisfying production. This production has already eclipsed both experiences. The people make Lyric Arts an amazing place to work, from the committed and driven board and administrative staff to the top notch designers and production team.
LA: You grew up performing in Lyric Arts production at the Pocket Theater and the Main Street Stage. How did Lyric Arts affect your life?
MM: Without a doubt, Lyric Arts changed my life. Lyric Arts instilled a passion for theater, the arts, and community that I will never relinquish. This is a passion that I hope to instill in my theater students at Anoka High School. I am appreciative beyond words for the opportunities that I have been granted from Lyric Arts. My most fond childhood memories are at the old Pocket Theater.
LA: Tell us what is something that you are particular excited about this show coming to together.
MM: The set, lights, and costumes are shaping up to be gorgeous. However, I am most excited to see the audience react to the show! They will laugh, scream, cringe, and guess up until the very last second!
This is pure entertainment at its best! Do not miss your chance to see this wonderful production!
The Mousetrap: 01/06/2010, 11:00 a.m.: Success on getting enough of the set completed for publicity photos last evening! The set is looking very dark and very brown in the photos. It is very brown, but in the theater lighting, it is definitely not too dark. Also, the furniture is missing right now because a section of the floor needs to be painted so the Lighting Director can test his colors and lighting before he designs the show.
