(ATLANTIC CITY , NJ) -- Atlantic City Theater and Dante Hall Theater present mystery writer extraordinaire Agatha Christie’s masterpiece of superb intrigue THE MOUSETRAP 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 17, 18, 24 and 25, with Sunday matinees July 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. at Dante Hall Theater at 14 N. Mississippi Ave., Atlantic City, NJ. Tickets are $20 general admission, $18 for seniors, $11 for children, $10 for Stockton University students, $18 for Stockton University affiliates, and $16 per person for groups of 10 or more. Call Dante Hall Theater at (609) 347-2162 or go to www.stockton.edu/dante or www.atlanticcitytheater.org.

 

With the longest initial run of any play in history, the murder mystery THE MOUSETRAP opened in the West End of London in 1952, and has been running continuously since, with its 25,000th performance taking place on November 18, 2012 . It is the longest-running show—of any type—of the modern era. The play is known for its “twist ending,” which the audience is traditionally asked not to reveal after leaving the theater.

 

THE MOUSETRAP is the story of a murderer who lurks among a group of strangers in a boardinghouse during a snowstorm. The suspects include a newly-married couple, a spinster with a curious background, an architect who designs treachery, a bully retired Army major, a deceitful little man, and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. A brilliant policeman must solve the crime!  It is a quintessential work by the foremost mystery writer of all time.

 

The London Times called the characters of THE MOUSETRAP “nicely assorted, individually labeled and readily identified” and found the plot “elaborately skillful.” The Daily Express praised “the atmosphere of shuddering suspense.”

 

The producers for the Atlantic City Theater’s production of THE MOUSETRAP are Paul and Pattye Herron, founders of Atlantic City Theater and Fool Moon Theatre. It is directed by Richard McMahan, with Rose Selah and Victoria Biron as stage managers. The cast is composed of Megan Elizabeth, Mark Glickstein, Greg LeCuyer, Lorraine McCarty, Ken Groome, Kate Read, Kristaps Lintins, and Jay Frederickson.

 

 

The Atlantic City Theater’s production of RELATIVELY SPEAKING—three one-act comedies by Ethan Coen, Elaine May, and Woody Allen--opens September 25 at Dante Hall, Atlantic City . 

 

This is the sixth in a series of collaborative productions between Dante Hall and Atlantic City Theater to bring great theater to Atlantic City . Now in its second year, Atlantic City Theater includes members who have decades of experience and have performed, directed, designed, and produced shows with such organizations as South Jersey Regional Theater, the Gateway Playhouse, Stockton University, Fool Moon Theatre, the Ocean City Pops, Margate Little Theatre, and Showmakers.

 

Located in the heart of the historic “ Duck Town ” neighborhood of Atlantic City , Dante Hall was originally built in 1926 by St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Dante Hall served the community of the neighborhood as a church hall, school gymnasium and community theater until it closed in 1988. In October 2003, Dante Hall reopened after a complete renovation, funded solely by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). In 2011, Stockton University acquired the venue, allowing it to continue serving Atlantic City and surrounding communities as a home for the performing arts. By providing quality programming and performances to local communities, Stockton College and Dante Hall Theater aim to strengthen New Jersey ’s efforts in restoring Atlantic City as a cultural and family destination.