Ten Little Murderers

The Mousetrap, Agatha Christie’s notorious whodunit, is the longest continually running play in the history of the world — which makes director Pat Payne’s job a tall order. However, he’s up to the challenge. “I was once told by a mentor: ‘Pick a good script and cast good people, and...

By Amber Taufen

January 23, 2014

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The Mousetrap, Agatha Christie’s notorious whodunit, is the longest continually running play in the history of the world — which makes director Pat Payne’s job a tall order. However, he’s up to the challenge. “I was once told by a mentor: ‘Pick a good script and cast good people, and then get out of the way,’” Payne says. And that’s what he’s tried to do with this Arvada Center production.

“You might have seen the play before,” he concedes, “but you haven’t seen it at the Arvada Center. The way in which we do things and treat the art is unlike anyone else in the region.” That includes an all-star cast, a stunning set and the feeling that each audience member is a fly on the wall watching the drama unfold.

“We’ll sell you the whole seat,” Payne jokes, “but you’ll only need the edge of it. Everyone loves to try to figure out who did it, and Christie crafts such a beautiful script that keeps you guessing to the very last moment. If we do our job right, every character would have the same amount of votes in the who-did-it poll, because the red herrings are so amazing and it’s so well-written.”

Tickets for the show, which opens tonight and runs through February 23, are $38 to $53. The Arvada Center is at 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard in Arvada; call 720-898-7200 or visit arvadacenter.org.
Tuesdays-Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.; Thu., Feb. 6, 1 p.m.; Thu., Feb. 13, 1 p.m.; Thu., Feb. 20, 1 p.m. Starts: Jan. 28. Continues through Feb. 23, 2014

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Amber Taufen has been writing about people, places and things in Denver since 2005. She works as an editor, writer, and production and process guru out of her home office in the foothills.

Contact: Amber Taufen

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