Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily TimesThe 'Deathtrap' cast plots murder and the season-opening performances at The Dosta Playhouse.

PLAY REVIEW 

VALDOSTA — “Deathtrap” closes with a strong snap after a slow start.

Hopefully, it was only opening night pacing but the first act of the Theatre Guild Valdosta performance stretched to 90 minutes that felt about 30 minutes too long. With intermission, the entire show runs nearly three hours.

As the old theatre saying goes: No one ever complains if the show is too short …

The Guild also opted not to print a program for the production, causing some audience members to believe the set change between Act 1 scenes 2 and 3 was intermission.

A few audience members were heading to the lobby when the actors returned to the stage for Scene 3, causing the audience members to scramble back to their seats.

That said, the show comes together with a fast-paced second act, dulled partially from the length of the first act.

Director Brock Gilliard elicits strong characterizations from his five-member ensemble cast.

J.J. Rolle makes an impressive Theatre Guild debut. As aging playwright Sidney Bruhl, he delivers on all levels. From the dulcet tones of his lines to his movements to the depth of his characterization and motivation, he brings Bruhl to wonderful life.

David Bass plays the young playwright who arrives at the Bruhl home; Della Webb is the psychic Helga Ten Dorp who lives next door; Clay Lee plays attorney Porter Grimshaw; Amanda Ewart plays Myra Bruhl, Sidney’s wife.

Each performer brings a variety of humor and depth to the production. Bass stands out as the young playwright. Webb is a scream as the psychic.

The action takes place on a beautiful set designed by Lynnette Kenworthy, who also developed the atmospheric effects in the second act as part of her lighting design.

Christie Jo Mayo’s fight choreography is impressive in the show’s rough-and-tumble scenes.

Hopefully, the first-act pacing will pick up in the remaining performances. If so, “Deathtrap” will have captivated audiences rather than a captive one.

The review is based on the Thursday night performance.

Theatre Guild Valdosta production of “Deathtrap” continues 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 5; 7:30 p.m., Aug. 10-12, The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St. Tickets, reservations, more information: Call (229) 24-STAGE; or visit www.theatreguildvaldosta.com.