Hello and Welcome to the 2024 Season! THE MOUSETRAP is a play that is ingrained in the fabric of the murder mystery genre. Agatha Christie is a name synonymous with thrilling readers and audience. I am delighted to be revisiting this play for the third time in my career. I was first introduced to THE MOUSETRAP in high school in 1999. I was auditioning for the Second Street Players and was extremely interested in the chilling nature of the show, particularly the eccentric role of Christopher Wren. While I was cast as the overprotective and jealous husband Giles Ralston, I found the beauty in all of the characters and the structure of Christie’s play. The second time I was privileged to be in this play was in the 2013 Clear Space season. This time around I was cast as the enigmatic Christopher Wren. While I love embodying Giles Ralston previously, I was much more adept at character analysis after college, and soared in the role! I was renewed with encouragement to be creative, so I let the character loose and felt like the work was being done at the highest level. This time around, I take off my actor hat and step into the role of director. The knowledge of the play gives me a plethora of ideas. I have always been fascinated by the macabre nature of Agatha Christie’s themes. I believe there is a truly thrilling quality that encompasses each piece - something distinctively Christie. I want everything about this production to embody that, to feel slightly off and create a sense of unease. Thank you for going on the journey with us!
-David Button, Artistic Director
THE MOUSETRAP By Agatha Christie
ACT ONE Scene 1: The Great Hall at Monkswell Manor. Late afternoon Scene 2: The same. The following day after lunch ACT TWO The same. Ten minutes later.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 SEASON SPONSOR
ALICE & ALFRED WILLIS!
THE MOUSETRAP By Agatha Christie
SEASON SPONSOR ALICE & ALFRED WILLIS
SHOW SPONSOR THE CAPE GAZETTE
CAST Mollie Ralston……………………………………………………………..… Elli Oechsler Giles Ralston…………………………………………………………....…. Braeden Swain Christopher Wren…………………………………………………………… James Riddle Mrs. Boyle……………………………………………………………………… Lisa Graff Major Metcalf……………………………………………………………...…. Dan Carney Miss Casewell……………………………………………………………..… Joanna Glaze Mr Paravicini………………………………………………………………….. John Hulse Detective Sergeant Trotter………………………………………………..…. Rick Nazzaro
UNDERSTUDIES Natalie Howard, Zach Naar CREATIVE TEAM DIRECTOR……………………………………………….….…………….. David Button STAGE MANAGER……….…………..……………………...……………..… Zach Naar COSTUME DESIGNER………….………………………...………....….. Lorraine Leavel SET DESIGNER……………………………………………….… Josh Getka, David Button LIGHT DESIGNER/OPERATOR.…………….………..…..………..……. Brendan Smith SOUND DESIGNER……………………………………………………….. Justin Witters PROPERTIES..…………………………………..…...……………….... Aleta Thompson SOUND EFFECTS………………………………………………………….. Kevin Carter SCENIC PAINTING………………………………………………………... Travis George SPECIAL THANKS……………….… Grace Riddle, Carrissa Meiklejohn and Julia Monaghan, Elaine Faye, Mike Reynolds, Sussex Academy
THE MOUSETRAP is produced through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by Concord Theatricals 250 W. 57th Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10107-0102
CAST
LISA GRAFF holds a BA in Speech DAN CARNEY Communications from was most recently seen in Frostburg University and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, an MA in theater from KINKY BOOTS, DAMN Northwestern University. YANKEES, ELF, OTHER She taught English, DESERT CITIES, 9 TO speech, drama, and English as a second 5, VICTOR/VICTORIA, language in MD before retiring to DE in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, GUYS AND 2010. Between 2012 and 2022, her column DOLLS, CABARET, A STREETCAR “Retirement 101”, later named “Our Senior NAMED DESIRE, A CHRISTMAS Yearbook”, was published bi-monthly in STORY, and HELLO DOLLY!. He also the Cape Gazette, garnering 1st and 2nd performed in other Clear Space productions place awards from the Delaware Press including INTO THE WOODS, THE Association. Her first novel, Find Me Alone MUSIC MAN, THE GRADUATE, A was published in 2017, followed by Up in CHRISTMAS CAROL, HEATHERS, the Sky So Blue in 2020. Her work has been FOOTLOOSE, and WIT. His credits published in the many publications including stretch from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, the Washington Post. In 2022-2023, she having performed in the musicals MAN OF wrote, directed and starred in her three-act LA MANCHA, THE MUSIC MAN, memoir. Lisa is married to husband Ray. CARNIVAL, and ANNIE GET YOUR Their adult children Lena and Nick have GUN. gifted them four granddaughters. JOANNA GLAZE is thrilled to be making her debut here at Clear Space Theater! Joanna earned her theater and psychology degree from Towson University. On stage, she has enjoyed playing Kate in OLD TIMES, Chrissy in HAIR, Chick in CRIMES OF THE HEART, to name a few. Joanna has directed and choreographed many musicals and plays including WEST SIDE STORY, HELLO OUT THERE, and THE WIZ. As the founder and director of her company, ‘Make it Happen’ Theater, Joanna takes delight in teaching the benefits of theater to children ages 5-105! When not on stage or directing, Joanna finds joy in traveling, exploring in nature, cooking for friends and family with her husband, Jeff and walks with YODA, the cat.
JOHN HULSE is happy to be returning to the Clear Space stage, where he was last seen as the Mayor in BYE BYE BIRDIE. John has been in local productions including OLIVER! (Fagin), MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (Hercule Poirot), (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (LeFou ), THE WIZARD OF OZ (the Cowardly Lion), INTO THE WOODS (The Baker), YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN (Charlie Brown) ; PIRATES OF PENZANCE (the Major-General); THE SECRET GARDEN (Uncle Archie) to name a few. A native of Long Island, John enjoys traveling. Favorites include NYC, Yellowstone, San Francisco, Florence, Anaheim, and Orlando.
CAST
JAMES RIDDLE making his Clear Space RICK NAZZARO debut, is a seasoned is a graduate of Bloomsburg performer with a passion University of Pennsylvania for the arts. Having and currently lives portrayed the comedic in Rehoboth. Past Clear flair of Max in LEND ME Space credits include GYPSY (Tulsa), THE A TENOR, Perchik in FIDDLER ON THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Narrator), ROOF, and the poignant portrayal of Jem THE MUSIC MAN (Marcellus), MAMMA in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, James has MIA! (Bill), A CHRISTMAS STORY (The participated in many productions in the Old Man), CLUE (Colonel Mustard), KISS area. Growing up performing with Possum ME KATE (Gangster), LA CAGE AUX Point Players and Sussex Academy in FOLLES (Francis), SPELLING BEE, A Georgetown and honing his craft at the STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Mitch), Savannah College of Art and Design, he ELF (Walter), MISERY, YOUNG brings a wealth of experience to the stage. FRANKENSTEIN (Igor), and ESTELLA SCROOGE. He is honored to be a part of Beyond the spolight, James resides in Rehoboth Beach with his wife, and works another fantastic season. as a realtor with The Parker Group. ELLI OECHSLER recently completed her fourth Summer Rep at Clear Space Theater! Some of her favorite past shows include YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (Inga), OUR TOWN (Emily), STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Shelby), and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Audrey). She has recently made Lewes, Delaware her home with her fiancé, and is finishing up her Bachelor’s Degree in English at Arizona State University! Elli is ecstatic to be returning to the stage with her theater family and so many talented individuals. She also thanks her family and friends who have encouraged her and made this all possible!
BRAEDEN SWAIN (he/him) is a director, performer, and designer who began his studies at the Savannah College of Art & Design, pursuing the Performing Arts. He hopes to continue his studies at Temple University in Philadelphia. Braeden has made numerous appearances on and off of the Delaware stages. Selected credits: THE GRADUATE (Benjamin) and THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Gomez) at Clear Space Theatre Company; THE DTG WORKSHOP, HELLO, DOLLY! (Barnaby), LEND ME A TENOR (Bellhop), and BYE BYE BIRDIE! (Harvey Johnson) at Possum Point Players. At PPP, Braeden directed BUS STOP (2018) and Assistant Directed CALIFORNIA SUITE.
CREATIVE TEAM DAVID BUTTON (Director) is the Artistic Director of Clear Space Theatre and teaches as a member of the Arts Institute faculty, founding the Spotlight on Young Performers program and cofounding the Summer Acting and Musical Theatre Summer Stock Intensives. He received his B.A. in Theatre with a focus on Acting and Directing from DeSales University. David has worked regionally with the Main Street Theatre, City Theatre, the Chojinyobiko Theater Group, The Milton Theatre, and the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. He directed previous season’s MISERY, DAMN YANKEES, MATILDA, NEXT TO NORMAL, KINKY BOOTS, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE CEMETERY CLUB, GODSPELL, and ESTELLA SCROOGE.
managing the summer camp at Possum Point.
ZACH NAAR (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back at Clear Space. He graduated from Cape Henlopen High School in June and has moved on to Delaware Tech to pursue a degree in elementary education. Some of his recent credits include MATILDA THE MUSICAL (Agatha Trunchbull), RADIUM GIRLS (Edward Markley), and THE LITTLE MERMAID (Prince Eric). He’s so excited to be stage managing his second show at CSTC. He wants to thank all of his family and friends for their endless love and support.
BRENDAN SMITH (Lighting Designer) has worked with Clear Space as the Lighting Designer since 2014, for which he has received multiple awards. He is mostly self-taught in the craft and refined his skills KEVIN CARTER (Sound Designer) lives in Sussex County and worked for Mid designing shows for the Dance Conservatory, Kent County Theatre Guild, Dover High South Audio in Milton for twenty five School, The Schwartz Center, and Clear years. He has been the resident sound designer at Clear Space since 2013, and the Space. He has two adoring sons, Jackson Sound Designer for Sussex Technical High and Harrison. School’s spring musical for 11 years. ALETA THOMPSON (Properties) LORRAINE LEAVEL (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be costuming at Clear Space after designing 9 TO 5, GREASE, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, THE WEDDING SINGER, HELLO DOLLY!, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, THE GRADUATE, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, HEATHERS, and many others. She received her BFA in Music Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory. Lorraine has been a part of Clear Space for over a decade. She is very active in the local theatre community, on stage and off, including serving on various boards. Lorraine enjoys costuming (a skill she learned from her grandma) as well as
has been active in Clear Space Theatre since its inception, as a board member, instructor, assistant to the director, director, actor, stage manager, and properties mistress. She has performed for CSTC in TINTYPES, OUR TOWN, EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN, SIX ROOMS, THE ODD COUPLE, LOVE LOSS AND WHAT I WORE, THE LARIMIE PROJECT, among others. She is also known to surreptitiously sing backstage when she should have been working. She works for the University of Delaware’s Professional Development Center as a secondary literacy coach.
First Recipient: Karen Richards
Clear Space Theatre Company Clear Space Theatre Company, a 501(c)3 cultural organization founded in 2004, is committed to teaching, producing and presenting the performing arts. The term “clear space” refers to a focus on the process, knowledge, and humanity of arts performance: the idea that we find ourselves in what appears on the stage. Our Vision is to be a leader in the vibrant performing arts community of southern Delaware. Our Mission is to inspire audiences, artists, and students through high quality performance and educational experiences. Clear Space Theatre Company Staff David Button, Artistic Director Joe Gfaller, Managing Director Lara Bellistri, Box Office Manager Sydney Gray, Company Manager Board Of Directors Megan Nehrbas, Chair Joe Sterner, Vice Chair Laura Howard, Secretary Alfred Willis, Treasurer Jay Allen Richard Perry Jess Bain Ida Rowe James Berry Lisa Schlosser John Cullen Mindi Moore Tunnell Michael Moreland The Producers Circle is an advisory committee of community leaders committed to ensuring a sustainable, year-round theatre company that also provides arts education for individuals of all ages and community outreach. Producers Circle Liz Leshine Alice and Alfred Willis Jeffrey and Ida Rowe Mary Jo Tarallo Peter Keeble Carl Schloegel Peter Pizzolongo Judy Rayner Linda Wolf Joan Barber and Norm Golden Jay Allen Mary Kay Ryan, Founder Clear Space Theatre 20 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 302.227.2270 www.ClearSpaceTheatre.org
This organization is supported in part by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.