Mysteries and thrillers present interesting challenges for critics. We want to give audiences enough of an idea of the plot to pique their interest without giving away any of the twists, turns and surprises audiences should discover for themselves. Well, here goes.

Playwright Sidney Bruhl, once a successful writer of theatrical thrillers, is tired of living off of dwindling royalties from long-ago hits, the occasional college seminar, and the largesse of his wealthy wife Myra. An unsolicited manuscript from one Clifford Anderson, an attendee of one of Sidney’s writing seminars, arrives at his Westport, Connecticut home and sets his mind a-whirling. He invites Clifford up to discuss a possible collaboration, but has Sidney’s mind really turned to… murder?

Amber Collins Crane, Bryce Smith, Gregory Crane

That’s the set-up of Ira Levin’s Broadway record-setting comedy-thriller Deathtrap, the latest production from the Ross Valley Players, now running through February 17. Levin, the author of such successful thrillers as Rosemary’s Baby and The Stepford Wives, had his greatest theatrical success with this darkly comedic take on the creative process, the desire for success, and how some people just might be willing to kill for it.

Originally written and set in the late 1970’s, director Chloe Bronzan has opted to set this production in the early ‘60’s with, according to her Director’s Notes, a “technicolor Hitchcock theme” in mind. Her choices are inconsistent, though, leading to a few anachronisms. She replaces references to late night TV host Johnny Carson with his predecessor Jack Paar, but leaves in references to Sleuth, a play not written until 1970. Lest you think I’m being too picky, Levin’s script is chock-full of inside-theatre references, so it’s been written with the knowledgeable theatre-goer in mind.

Husband and wife team Amber and Gregory Crane play husband and wife Sydney and Myra Bruhl with Bay Area newcomer Bryce Smith essaying the young playwright whose script Sydney covets. They all work well together, particularly in the execution of some excellent fight choreography (by Richard Squeri) which offsets some of the director’s questionable blocking choices that occasionally gave the show an odd look. Technical and script issues aside, credit all the artists for a moment that generated the loudest audience scream I’ve heard in a theatre in some time.

There’s a reason Deathtrap holds the record as Broadway’s longest running comedy/thriller. It’s a fun show and, overall, the Ross Valley Players have a bloody good time with it.

‘Deathtrap’ runs Thursday – Sunday through Feb. 17 at the Barn Theatre in the Marin Art and Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross. Times vary. $12–$27. 415.883.4498. rossvalleyplayers.com.

Photos by Robin Jackson

This review originally appeared in an edited version in the Pacific Sun.