DORSET - Dorset Theatre Festival will conclude its critically acclaimed 2012 season with their popular Murder and Mayhem Series featuring Deathtrap by Ira Levin. The play holds the record for the longest running comedy-thriller on Broadway and was recently revived to rave reviews and sold-out crowds on London's West End.

A hugely popular stage and screen success, this ingeniously constructed play offers a rare and skillful blending of two priceless theatrical ingredients: gasp-inducing thrills and spontaneous laughter. The plot follows the story of unknown dramatist Clifford Anderson who has sent his new thriller to award-winning Broadway author Sidney Bruhl for comment... or has he...? Without a success to his credit for some years,

From left to right, Kirk Jackson, Antoinette LaVecchia, Amelia White, Jonathan Walker, Quincy Dunn-Baker, and Doak will all be appearing in "Deathtrap" at the Dorset Theatre Festival. (Courtesy photo)
Sidney plots with his reluctant wife Myra about how best to plagiarize "Deathtrap" and when Clifford turns up to discuss the play, events take a sinister turn.

The production is being directed by Giovanna Sardelli, DTF's Resident Director, known for her past productions of "Good People" and 'Dial M for Murder" at the festival, as well as for her recent hit production of Rajiv Joseph's play "The North Pool," a current sell-out hit at Barrington Stage. Playing the role of Sidney is Jonathan Walker who has appeared on Broadway in "20th Century" and "After the Fall," as well as on TV in such hits as "Pan Am," "The Good Wife" and "The Big C." Sidney's wife Myra will be played by Amelia White who recently appeared on the DTF stage in this

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summer's hit production of "Boeing-Boeing." She has worked in many regional theatres all over the country including Hartford Stage, Cleveland Playhouse and The Guthrie. Quincy Dunn-Baker stars as the young writer Clifford Anderson. Quincy is known for his extensive work Off Broadway, appearing at such theaters as Second Stage, The Public Theater and The Roundabout. The role of the psychic Helga will be played by DTF favorite Antoinette LaVecchia, who starred in the Festival's acclaimed production of "The Pavillion." Her credits include having just completed a sold-out run at Hartford Stage of the one woman show "I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti," soon to be seen in New York City. Kirk Jackson completes the cast as Porter Pilgrim. Kirk is an Obie Award winning actor/director and has appeared in New York in "Love! Valour! Compassion!" on Broadway as well as regionally at such theatres as Studio Theatre, Portland Stage and Adirondack Theatre Festival.

The design team for this production includes a set by Debra Booth, costumes by Barbara Bell, lighting by DTF producing director Michael Giannitti and sound by Jill DuBoff.

Deathtrap is brought to you through the generous support of Orvis and The Dorset Inn. Children 12 and under can attend free thanks to underwriting by The Bank of Bennington as part of DTF's "Bring the Family" program. The production has its first preview on Thursday, Aug. 16 at 8 p.m., with the Gala Opening on Friday, Aug. 17 at the Dorset Playhouse, 104 Cheney Road in Dorset. Tickets are available online at www.dorsettheatrefestival.org or by calling the Box Office at 802-867-2223 Tuesday through Sunday from 12-6 and until 8 p.m. on performances nights.