Theater Review

Tom Titus

Few playwrights skewer their own profession as surgically and as

eloquently as Ira Levin. Having taken on tyro authors and theater

reviewers in “Critic’s Choice,” he then (after giving birth to

“Rosemary’s Baby”) turned his attention to a unique breed, the avaricious

and murderous playwright in “Deathtrap.”

Levin sharpened his knife for use against elements of the Broadway

establishment while concocting this highly literate thriller about an

aging playwright who has run out of creative fuel and a young writing

student with a barn burner of an idea. Trouble is, it involves murder,

and every good writer tries out his ideas before submitting them, right?

The new Trilogy Playhouse -- or at least, new to the Lab Anti-Mall

showplace in Costa Mesa, formerly the domicile of the Theater District --

has chosen “Deathtrap” as the vehicle with which to introduce itself to

local audiences after several years as the Laguna Niguel Playhouse. It’s

an impressive and auspicious opening shot.

Director Alicia Butler -- charged with the double duty of redesigning the

theater itself and getting this first show on the boards in just four

weeks -- has succeeded nicely on both counts. With just a few minor

exceptions, her “Deathtrap” rivets the audience to the new, reclining

seats.

The centerpiece of any “Deathtrap” is its older playwright, Sidney Bruhl,

through whom Levin’s caustic, bloodletting dialogue is launched with

delicious precision. James Newell has a firm, confident grasp on this

role, commanding the stage with ironic verbal firepower in a deliciously

devastating performance.

James Mulligan, as the young writing student come to study at the feet of

the master, skillfully exudes both naivete and menace when each is

specifically required. He also designed the impressive setting, which

implies a depth of focus that is not necessarily present.

The fragility of Denise Ducloux-Brink’s character as Newell’s physically

(though not emotionally) weak-hearted wife is missing from her

interpretation. Ducloux-Brink chooses to match her husband’s volume and

intensity, which comprises an important plot element.

Such over-the-top shenanigans should instead be reserved for the

depiction of psychic neighbor Helga Ten Dorp, who provides a Dutch fly in

the conspirators’ ointment. These are, indeed, delivered with Old World

relish by Mina Kedar in a show-stealing assignment.

James Manley Green completes the cast as Newell’s attorney -- a role

deemed insignificant enough that it was cut from the recent Costa Mesa

Civic Playhouse production. Green solidly enacts this fringe character

with force and humor.

The tricky conflict scenes in Act Two are well-handled, with the

exception of one involving a crossbow that is barely visible and its

upshot initially difficult to ascertain. Other weapons are neatly

displayed on the walls, but those unfamiliar with the plot would never

recognize this one.

Still, words remain the primary weapons in “Deathtrap,” and Levin’s are

employed with skill and authority in the Trilogy Playhouse’s premiere

production.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear

Thursdays and Saturdays.

* WHAT: “Deathtrap”* WHERE: Trilogy Playhouse, 2930 Bristol St., Costa

Mesa

* WHEN: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. through

March 12* HOW MUCH: $15 and $20

* PHONE: (714) 957-3347