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Mystery, murder, and perhaps a bit of humor accompanies Lafayette Theatre Company’s latest production, Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,  presented by the Lafayette Society for Performing Arts (LSPA) and Design Group.

“The Mousetrap” is a suspense-packed period play that will have the audience on their feet, trying to figure out who the villain is.

With its reputation for having the longest run of any play in the world, cast members have worked to handle Christie’s traditional twists and turns, breathing fresh life into the seventy-year-old play.

Written by thriller extraordinaire, Agatha Christie, “The Mousetrap” opens at Monkswell Manor in the winter of 1952. During a snowstorm, guests and staff find themselves stranded at the hotel and learn of the murder of the local woman. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another.

A police detective, arriving on skis, interrogates the suspects: the newlyweds running the house; a spinster with a curious background; an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef; a retired Army major; a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift; and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. When a second murder takes place, tensions and fears escalate.

“The Mousetrap” is a cunning, intricately written play that has captivated audiences for years, and Jack Morman, the director, shares the same enthusiasm.

“I love ‘The Mousetrap.’ It was one of the first shows that I performed during college. I have loved it ever since,” Morman said.

As Morman reflects on the journey of putting together the show with the cast and crew, he said he looks forward to audiences seeing their hard work on the stage.

“When you match great characters with talented actors like this cast, you end up with a magical night of theater. This cast and crew are perfect examples of what community theater should be,” Morman said. “When we began our rehearsals, I asked each cast member why they put themselves through this process. Their responses ranged from, ‘It is where I find joy,’ to ‘it helps my soul to breathe.’ We hope your soul is touched as you enjoy the work that all our artists are providing.”

Detectives bring your sleuthing expertise and put your wits to the test from April 20-April 23.

The venue is the LSPA Black Box Theatre located at 214 Bull Street in downtown LaGrange. The shows are on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night beginning at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

To purchase tickets for “The Mousetrap” and additional LSPA productions visit www.LSPArts.org or by calling LSPA’s box office at (706) 882-9909 during business hours. General seating: ($20 adults/$15 students). Box office hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The box office also opens an hour before each performance begins.