AJ Arts & Entertainment

March 17, 2010

Ghostlight Productions rekindles theater tradition at Baptist Bible

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter / Photographer

For years, the Baptist Bible College annual dinner theater was the highlight of the school’s dramatic schedule, and starting Thursday, March 25, Ghostlight Productions will revive that tradition when they present Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap.”

Founders of local theater group Ghostlight Productions and BBC alumni Jonathan and Rachel Strayer appeared in the last BBC dinner theater production,

After producing “Shakespeare in Park” last summer at South Abington Park, the two were eager to host their own dinner theater when, coincidently, the school was looking to bring the event back.

“Faye Moore (BBC professor) approached us and said, ‘You know I was telling the junior class about how we used to do this, and the response we got, and they think they would like to sponsor this,’ ” said director Rachel Strayer.

“We sat down with the junior class officers and they said, ‘Yes, we’ll put up the money for this.’ And we’re doing it for them.”

Dubbed “The Mystery Dinner and Dessert Theatre,” the show will act as a fundraiser for the junior class. Rachel Strayer said she is hoping the play will turn a profit for the students, and if past success of “The Mousetrap” is any indication, that should not be a problem.

“The Mousetrap” is the story of seven strangers who find themselves trapped in a guest house during a blizzard. One morning, a police officer arrives at the house on skis to question the group about a murder committed in London. During the discussion, it becomes clear one of the seven is the murderer and he or she is not finished killing.

The play has been delighting audiences since its premiere, running nonstop on London’s West End since 1952, currently holding the record for longest initial run of any play in history.

“This was one of the first shows I ever saw,” said Rachel Strayer. “I was in fourth grade I saw a high school production of it and… I’ve kind of been in love with it ever since.

“About six years ago, I had the opportunity to actually see it in London’s West End. It was a really neat experience, so I was really familiar with it, had a personal connection to it, and also it has a really nice sized cast for a murder mystery.”

The Strayers have been working with the cast since February for the March 25 premiere.

In addition to the main cast, made up of actors from the area, the play will also feature an interactive cast of actors who will be improvising with the audience before the play begins.

“In the hallway outside the theater, we’re going to create a London street, and you actually find out a murder has been committed on that street and that’s where the play begins,” said Rachel Strayer. “So, we’re actually going to use that to introduce the audience to the character that gets murdered offstage that you never see, just to create atmosphere.

“We have a lot of undergrad students here that get to be a part of that, so it’s a really neat educational experience for them.”

While the Strayers are busy working with the actors, the college has been handling promotion and Pioneer Catering’s Chris Hubosky has put together a menu that features a choice of prime rib and chicken Seattle.

“I feel like everyone we’ve come into contact with has been wanting to pursue the same level of excellence that we are,” said Rachel Strayer.

Performances for Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” are scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, March 25 to 27.

Tickets must be purchased in advance, to purchase tickets call 570.585.9000.

For more information visit, http://ghostlightproductions.org/26701.html.

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