Calliope Auditions: Deathtrap
a thriller by Ira Levin

In Ira Levin’s classic comedic thriller, Deathtrap, a washed-up playwright finds a chance to rise to the top once more, a shot he’d be willing to kill for. Sidney Bruhl, who hasn’t written a hit Broadway play in 18 years, receives a script in the mail from a former student (Clifford Anderson) that’s a guaranteed success. Sidney’s wife, Myra, suggests that the two men could collaborate, and Sidney jokes that it’d be just as easy to murder the young man and steal the script to pass off as his own. Sidney invites the young man to come to their house. After Clifford arrives, no one - not even the visiting busy-body neighbor who is a renowned psychic - can predict where the dark events of the night will go. Deathtrap provides twists and turns of devilish cleverness and hilariously sudden shocks in such abundance that audiences will be spellbound until the very last moment.

The Cast

  • 2 presented as female
  • 3 presented as male

    • All actors will be considered for all roles, regardless of gender identity/expression, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, age, ability, etc.

     

    The Directors

    Director: Linda Oroszko
    Assistant Director: Scott Lyerly
     

    The Rehearsals

    Rehearsals will be Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday evenings beginning August 10. We rehearse every day during tech week.
     

    The Location

    All rehearsals and performances will be at Calliope Theatre, 150 Main Street, Boylston, MA
     

    The Performances

    October 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 (Thu. – Sat. at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm)

    The Auditions

    • Sunday, August 3, 2025, 7:00 pm, 7:45 pm, 8:30 pm
    • Monday, August 4, 2025, 7:00 pm, 7:45 pm, 8:30 pm

    Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

     
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    The Characters

    SIDNEY BRUHL – (Presented as Male. Mid 40s-60s) A once-acclaimed author fallen victim to a recent creative drought. He strikes an impressive figure. He’s usually the smartest and most charming one in the room and makes sure everyone else in the room knows it. Sidney is extremely ambitious and will do almost anything to get what he wants, no matter who might be in his way.

    CLIFFORD ANDERSON – (Presented as Male. 20s-30s) An attractive and talented young writer with a bright future ahead of him. He is extremely clever and can easily slip into an innocence and naivete cover that disguises his darker ambitions.

    MYRA BRUHL – (Presented as Female. Mid 40s to 60s) Sidney’s loving and supportive wife. She is patient and self-effacing, and she exudes a kind and calming presence - in contrast to Sidney’s stormy moods. Her soft exterior gives way to a much firmer attitude when she needs to persuade Sidney out of his unhealthy notions.

    HELGA TEN DORP - (Presented as Female. In her 50s) A stocky woman with a bit of an Eastern European accent, she is a celebrity psychic who loves every minute of her fame. A free-spirited and strong-willed busybody, she is not easily intimidated.

    PORTER MILGRIM - (Presented as Male. Mid 40s - 50s.) Sidney’s friend and attorney. He is very sharp and observant, and he isn’t sure he should trust Clifford.