GUTHRIE THEATER PRESENTS AGATHA CHRISTIE’S THE MOUSETRAP, THE LONGEST-RUNNING PLAY IN THE WORLD, DIRECTED BY TRACY BRIGDEN

A sophisticated and iconic murder mystery

Previews begin Saturday, March 15; Opening on Thursday, March 20
Playing through Sunday, May 18 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage

(Minneapolis/St. Paul) — “The Guthrie Theater (Joseph Haj, Artistic Director) today announced the company and related events for its upcoming production of The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie, directed by Tracy Brigden. A group of strangers quickly become suspects as they race to uncover the murderer among them in this quintessential murder mystery from the “Queen of Crime.” The show begins previews on Saturday, March 15 and will play through Sunday, May 18. Single and group tickets are now on sale through the Box Office or online at guthrietheater.org. Accessibility services (ASL-interpreted, audio-described and open-captioned performances) are also available on select dates.

“The Mousetrap is a classic Christie whodunit with a colorful assembly of characters snowed together in an isolated manor house realizing that one of them is a murderer and any of them could be next,” said Artistic Director Joseph Haj. “We have an extraordinary cast featuring many familiar artists Guthrie audiences have come to know and love.” Haj continued, “Just as with Dial M for Murder, our guard is down initially because of the comedic aspects, but then we realize the stakes of what’s going on and we’re on the edge of our seats.”

“It’s the perfect kind of play because it makes you laugh, it makes you scared, it makes you surprised, and then it makes you feel satisfied when you find out what the ending is,” said Director Tracy Brigden. “It’s going to be a very gorgeous version of this play. It will be a high-end production that people will really enjoy — both the play and the visual of it.”

Set during a heavy snowstorm, The Mousetrap follows newlyweds Mollie and Giles Ralston as they prepare to open Monkswell Manor for their first guests: the nitpicky Mrs. Boyle; the cagey Miss Casewell visiting from abroad; the young architect Christopher Wren; the good-natured Major Metcalf; and the roguish, unexpected guest Mr. Paravicini. As the snow proves impassable, Detective Sergeant Trotter arrives on skis with news that connects the manor to a mysterious murder in London. When the phone lines are cut and a guest turns up dead, everyone becomes a suspect. Will the killer be discovered in time?

The Mousetrap first began as a 30-minute radio play in 1947 to honor England’s Queen Mary on her 80th birthday. Following numerous revisions and adaptations, the show would become Agatha Christie’s seventh play in her collection, opening on October 6, 1952. The production has run continuously ever since, making it the longest-running play in the world.

The cast of The Mousetrap includes Matthew Amendt (Guthrie: Born With Teeth, Charley’s Aunt, Peer Gynt) as Detective Sergeant Trotter, Pearce Bunting (Guthrie: debut) as Major Metcalf, Greg Cuellar (Guthrie: debut) as Christopher Wren, Emjoy Gavino (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol, Vietgone) as Miss Casewell, Peter Christian Hansen (Guthrie: Dial M for Murder, Murder on the Orient Express, Freud’s Last Session) as Giles Ralston, Monette Magrath (Guthrie: debut) as Mollie Ralston, Mo Perry (Guthrie: An Enemy of the People, The Royal Family, The Heidi Chronicles) as Mrs. Boyle and Matthew Saldívar (Guthrie: A Christmas Carol, The Royal Family, The Canterbury Tales) as Mr. Paravicini.

The creative team includes Tracy Brigden (Director), Walt Spangler (Scenic Designer), Susan Tsu (Costume Designer), Rui Rita (Lighting Designer), John Gromada (Sound Designer/Composer), Lynde Rosario (Dramaturg), Keely Wolter (Vocal Coach), Aaron Preusse (Weapons Consultant), Jennifer Liestman (Resident Casting Director), Laura Topham (Stage Manager), Matthew Meeks (Assistant Stage Manager), Lee Conrads (Assistant Director) and McCorkle Casting, Ltd. (NYC Casting Consultant).

Tracy Brigden (Director) is the Guthrie Theater’s Senior Artistic Producer. Before coming to the Guthrie, she served as Artistic Director at City Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for 16 years, leading the organization to its prominent and respected place as a major incubator and producer of new plays and musicals. Under her leadership, City Theatre produced nearly 200 plays and launched an extensive play development program. Prior to City Theatre, she served on the artistic staffs of Manhattan Theatre Club and Hartford Stage. Freelance directing includes Atlantic Theater Company in New York City, Hartford Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Westport Country Playhouse, New York Stage and Film, Barrington Stage Company, TheaterWorks Hartford, Pittsburgh Public Theater and many others. Brigden holds a B.S. in Theatre from Northwestern University and an M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing from Point Park University.

The Mousetrap is sponsored by Ameriprise Financial and Lathrop GPM.

Related Events

Mystery Play Club – Tuesdays, March 25 – May 13, 1–2:30 p.m.

The Guthrie is hosting an eight-week mystery and suspense thriller play-reading club, sponsored by Ameriprise Financial. Members will read notable mystery scripts together and dig into each story in a casual conversation led by a member of the Artistic Team. The final script will be Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap. Spend Tuesday afternoons with a cup of coffee or tea while learning about iconic mysteries and suspense thrillers of the stage. The series is free; registration is required at guthrietheater.org.

Post-Play Discussions
Patrons are invited to stay in the theater following select performances for a 20-minute conversation about the production facilitated by Guthrie staff. Cast members may join the discussion as they are able.

Sunday, March 23 at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26 at 1 p.m.
Sunday, March 30 at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m.

Accessible Performance

Relaxed Performance – Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m.
A relaxed performance is intended to be sensitive to and accepting of any audience member who may benefit from a more relaxed environment. It is intentionally modified to accommodate patrons with sensory and vestibular sensitivities, anxiety, dementia, autism spectrum disorders, learning differences and/or other challenges attending the theater.

ASL-Interpreted Performances
American Sign Language interpreters sign the performance as it plays out onstage.

Friday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m.

Audio-Described Performances
Audio describers provide live verbal descriptions of the action, costumes and scenery for people who are blind or have low vision.

Friday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m.

Open-Captioned Performances
LED screens display text simultaneously with the performance onstage.

Friday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9 at 1 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16 at 1 p.m.

The Guthrie also offers ASL-interpreted, audio-described and open-captioned performances upon request. Requests must be received at least two weeks in advance and can be directed to 612.225.6390 or accessibility@guthrietheater.org.

Ticket Information
Single tickets range from $32 to $92 (including handling fees). Single and group tickets (minimum requirement of 15 per group) may be purchased through the Box Office at 612.377.2224 (single), 1.877.447.8243 (toll-free), 612.225.6244 (group) or online at guthrietheater.org.

Land Acknowledgment

The Guthrie Theater acknowledges that it resides on the traditional land of the Dakota People and honors with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations, including the Ojibwe and other Indigenous nations.

The GUTHRIE THEATER (Joseph Haj, Artistic Director) is an American center for theater performance in Minneapolis, Minnesota, dedicated to producing a mix of classic and contemporary plays and cultivating the next generation of theater artists. Under Haj’s leadership, the Guthrie is guided by four core values: Artistic Excellence; Community; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and Fiscal Responsibility. Since its founding in 1963, the theater has continued to set a national standard for excellence in the field and serve the people of Minnesota as a vital cultural resource. The Guthrie houses three state-of-the-art stages, production facilities, classrooms and dramatic public spaces. guthrietheater.org