Waterville Opera House Deathtrap Playbill

SPONSORED BY

Madame Marie Cormier Maine Savings Federal Credit Union

August 29, 30, September 5, 6 at 7:30pm August 31 , September 7 at 2pm

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WRITTEN BY

Ira Levin

Presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.

DIRECTOR – Beth Lambert COSTUME DESIGNER – Debra Susi SCENIC DESIGN – Allison Turlo LIGHTING DESIGN – Bryant Cyr SOUND DESIGN – Juniper Purinton PROPS DESIGN – Nathan Sylvester STAGE MANAGER – Alexis Sheridan SPONSORED BY

Madame Marie Cormier Maine Savings Federal Credit Union

207.873.7000

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CAST OF CHARACTERS Sidney Bruhl ...................................................................... Bart Shattuck Myra Bruhl ................................................................... Jeralyn Shattuck Clifford Anderson ........................................................... Jonas Maines Helga ten Dorp ............................................................. Cherie Champe Porter Milgrim ...................................................................... Barry Pineo

PRODUCTION TEAM Technical Director ................................................... Juniper Purinton Production Manager, Run Crew ....................................... Bryant Cyr Production Assistant .............................................. Nathan Sylvester Light Board Operator ................................................ Alexis Sheridan Master Carpenter ................................................................... Ben Fisher Scenic Artist ........................................................................ Allison Turlo SPECIAL THANKS Hannah Davis Stephen Ouellette Phoebe Sanborn + Matt Stanford Bart Shattuck Content Warning: This production contains depictions of graphic violence, blood effects, gunshots, and references to suicide.

We honor and celebrate the array of identities in our local community and broader communities, including those that are not part of the predominant culture. We hold space on our stage, our screens, and our gallery walls, in our studios, and at our community events and programs to present diverse stories, identities, and lived experiences in real and authentic ways.

This production is presented with one 15-minute intermission.

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DIRECTOR’S NOTE Welcome to Deathtrap!

At first glance, Ira Levin’s Deathtrap is a sharp, witty thriller—a play about a playwright plotting the “perfect” play. But beneath its clever twists and rapid-fire humor, it’s also a sly conversation about ambition, trust, and the blurred line between truth and fiction.

The late 1970s setting gives the story an extra layer of intrigue. It was a time when suspense thrillers were at their peak, when typewriters clacked, landlines rang, and characters had to physically cross a room to answer them—no texting to warn of danger here! We leaned into those details, not just for authenticity, but because they help the audience slow down into a world where tension builds one delicious beat at a time.

Bringing Deathtrap to the stage has been a joy. Our cast has embraced the balancing act this play demands: keeping the tension razor-sharp while savoring the humor woven through every scene.

Our crew has worked magic with sets, costumes, and lighting to create a space where secrets can hide in plain sight. And together, we’ve discovered that the best part of a “perfect murder” play isn’t the murder—it’s the fun of watching it all unfold.

Community theatre thrives on collaboration, and this production is no exception. Every laugh, gasp, and surprise you experience tonight is the result of many hours of shared creativity, problem-solving, and sheer love of storytelling.

So, as the lights go down, I invite you to step into this slightly dangerous, slightly absurd world. Keep your eyes open, your wits sharp, and enjoy the ride—because in Deathtrap, the moment you think you’ve figured it out… you haven’t.

Enjoy the show!

Beth Lambert, Director

ABOUT THE CAST + CREW Cherie Champe (Helga ten Dorp) Waterville native Cherie Champe is thrilled to be returning to the WOH stage as the mystifying psychic Helga! A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in NYC, Cherie is a professionally trained actor, singer, and dancer whose favorite roles include playing both Mother Superior and Sister Robert Anne in separate productions of Nunsense, Jan in Grease, and Singapore Sue in Dames at Sea. When not reading people’s minds or meddling in the affairs of others, Cherie works as an HR professional for the Woodlands Senior Living Consulting Office in Augusta and is an avid member of Littlefield’s gym in Oakland. Cherie would like to thank her husband, Joel, and son, Parker, for being never-ending sources of support and encouragement, despite often believing Mom must be crazy. You are her everything.

Beth Lambert (Director) is honored to have directed this production of Deathtrap. She has directed several productions for the Waterville Opera House, most recently, Matilda the Musical. Beth is a trained actor/director, vocalist, and educator, and holds degrees from Lawrence University Conservatory and Harvard University. Beth has acted, directed, and taught all over the world including the Arcola Theatre in London and was a founding member of a “Theatre of the Oppressed” inspired school in Pune, India. Currently, she is the Chief Teaching and Learning Officer at the Maine Department of Education. Beth lives in Fairfield with her two children, Lillian (21) and Paige (14), and her husband, Greg, and is grateful for their love and support.

Jonas Maines (Clifford Anderson) is an Augusta-based actor who has been performing in Central and Southern Maine since 2023. He received his BA in Theatre from the University of Maine at Farmington and has worked professionally in Austin and Chicago. Previous WOH credits include The Cottage (Clarke), Head Over Heels (Ensemble) and Murder on the Orient Express (Col. Arbuthnot). Other recent productions include As You Like It (Fenix Theatre Co.), Last Gas (GPProductions) and 100 Saints You Should Know, by special arrangement with the University of Maine at Farmington. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Maine Arts Academy. Jonas would like to thank all of the talented individuals who lent their time and exceptional skills to this production.

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Barry Pineo (Porter Milgram) was born in Jonesport, has worked in live theatre as an actor, director, and playwright since the age of fourteen, and is absolutely thrilled and grateful to be making his Waterville Opera House debut in Deathtrap.

Locally, he’s performed with Open Book Players and Gaslight Theatre. Some of his favorite roles include Jesus in Godspell, Harold Hill in The Music Man, and Sterling in Mauritius. This October, he’ll be appearing in Conor McPherson’s one-man, tour de force vampire play, St. Nicholas, at The Playhouse at Waterville Station. He and the vampires hope you’ll join him!

Bart Shattuck (Sidney Bruhl) joyfully returns to the role he played fifteen years ago for the Belfast Maskers. More recent roles include Vladimir in Waiting for Godot for ACAT at the Playhouse at Waterville Station (directed by Jeralyn Shattuck), Robert in Proof for the Belfast Maskers and, for WOH: Mr. Krabbs in The SpongeBob Musical, Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express, and Victor/Poche in A Flea in Her Ear. Bart also appears in the film Sight Unseen which premiered at this year’s MIFF. Jeralyn Shattuck (Myra Bruhl) Prior to auditioning for Deathtrap, Jeralyn was very proud to direct Waiting for Godot for ACAT, the first full length show in their new home. Now, she is excited to get back on stage. Opera House audiences will remember Jeralyn as Ms. Mayor (SpongeBob), Mrs. Hudson (Miss Holmes Returns), Raymonde (A Flea in Her Ear), Mariette (The Dinner Party), The Wicked Witch of the West (Wizard of Oz), Frau Blücher (Young Frankenstein), and many others. It is always such a joy and privilege to perform for you, especially when she gets to act with her husband, Bart. Thank you to Beth for the opportunity.

Alexis Sheridan (Stage Manager) Lexi is so excited to join the Waterville Opera House team again for Deathtrap! Her most recent endeavors in stage managing include The SpongeBob Musical (WOH), and Broadway Boite (Colby College), as well as past college shows such as Newsies and Beauty and the Beast. She developed a passion for stage managing in college, where she directed and stage managed productions. Lexi loves being able to assist cast and crew with their needs, as well as learning the ins and outs of the stage. She hopes you enjoy Deathtrap as much as she does!

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NOV 14–30, 2025

Based on the timeless and beloved film, White Christmas follows veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, who have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander.

White Christmas is an uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages.

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LISTENING DEVICES

Assisted listening devices are available at the Maine Film Center and the Waterville Opera House upon request.

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WABANAKI STORIES

Clay Carving Workshop Indigenous Artisans Market Huntley Brook Singers

Special Guest: Dwayne Tomah Passamaquoddy language teacher + keeper of culture presents the film, The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code

Save the date:

October 12

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

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START MAKING SENSE

TASTE OF IRELAND

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CASEY ABRAMS & FRIENDS

SHEMEKIA COPELAND

For the full schedule of events, please visit our website.

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TICKETS

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