The Waterville Opera House (WOH) raises the curtain on Deathtrap August 29. The darkly funny thriller by award-winning writer Ira Levin—author of Rosemary’s Baby, The Stepford Wives, The Boys from Brazil, and A Kiss Before Dying—dials up the mystery with shocking twists and perplexing turns, and crisp dialogue as razor sharp as the weapons peppering the set.
“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,” said Beth Lambert, returning to the director’s chair at WOH after the sold-out spring run of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical. “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.”
Deathtrap premiered on Broadway in 1978, receiving four Tony nominations. To this day, it holds the record for the longest-running comedy-thriller in Broadway history. Fans of Levin’s work or of previous WOH thrillers like Clue, Miss Holmes, and Murder on the Orient Express will have some idea of what they’re getting into. Just as Waterville audiences prepare to settle into the routine of a new school year, the Opera House is ready to pull them back to the edge of their seats.
“Bringing Deathtrap to the stage has been a joy,” Lambert said. “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.”
The Waterville Opera House is continuing to up the ante for its community theatre productions. Deathtrap is the third show in the 2025 season, which began with crowd-pleasers The Cottage in January and Matilda in the spring, and concludes in November with a three-week run of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. As WOH prepares to announce its 2026 season, which will include a world premiere as part of the American Association of Community Theatre’s NewPlayFest, the cast and creative team reflect on the latest peak in the Opera House’s continuing upward trajectory.
“I said at my first rehearsal how impressed I was by the level of professionalism that the Opera House brings to the table,” said actress Cherie Champe, playing the role of Helga in Deathtrap. “It’s been many a curtain, many a year, since I’ve actually been on that stage, but the Waterville Opera House now in 2025: This is professional. It’s legitimate. It’s as real as it gets. What an honor.”
Deathtrap opens Friday, August 29, at 7:30pm. Evening performances follow August 30 and September 5 + 6 at 7:30pm, with 2pm Sunday matinées on August 31 and September 7. The Waterville Opera House is proud to offer an ASL interpreted performance on Sunday, August 31, at 2pm.
Tickets are available now. Go to operahouse.org, call 207.873.7000, or visit the Ed Harris Box Office in the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, 93 Main Street, Waterville, to make reservations.
This production is sponsored by Maine Savings FCU and Marie Cormier. Deathtrap is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.
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About the Waterville Opera House
Waterville Opera House (WOH) has been bringing the magic of the performing arts to audiences of all ages since 1902. This beautifully restored, 810-seat theatre hosts high-quality community theatre, dance, concerts, and educational programming. As part of the artistic community working to make Waterville a key arts destination, WOH encourages an appreciation for the performing arts and its creative expression by consistently producing exceptional performances for residents and visitors. We firmly believe that art and culture have the power to enrich lives, strengthen community bonds, and serve as an economic engine. For more information, visit operahouse.org.