In a remote manor in the British countryside, a celebrated murder mystery writer drafts his next great detective novel.
But when he invites his wife’s lover to his home for a glass of scotch, it suddenly becomes unclear where the fictional plot ends and the real game begins.
“Sleuth” will keep you on the edge of your seat with a suspenseful game of cat-and-mouse filled with plotted murder, jealousy and revenge, according to McCarter Theatre officials.
Previews begin on March 10 in McCarter’s Matthews Theatre in Princeton.
Opening night is set for March 14 at 8 p.m. in Princeton, with the production on stage through March 29.
Tickets start at $25 and are available online, by phone, or in person at the McCarter Ticket Office, located at 91 University Pl., Princeton.
Director Adam Immerwahr (“A Christmas Carol”, “The Understudy”, “The Mousetrap”) returns with a fresh look at Anthony Shaffer’s “Sleuth,” a play originally born as a psychologically subversive look at the classic murder mystery story, according to theater officials.
“’Sleuth’ is a terrific, suspenseful story, in part because it’s about terrific, suspenseful stories. The play turns the standard murder mystery completely on its head, and in the process takes these characters, and the audiences, on a ride which is completely unexpected,” Immerwahr said. “It’s a psychological thriller that asks the audience to figure out not only “whodunit?” but “who will do it?”
According to officials, the principal cast includes Derek Smith (Andrew Wyke), veteran of three critically acclaimed McCarter productions directed by Steven Wadsworth: “Mirandolina”, “The Barber of Seville” and “The Marriage of Figaro”.
Officials stated that his Broadway credits include a memorable run as Scar in “The Lion King”, “The Green Bird”, “The Government Inspector” and more.
Smith is joined onstage by John Tufts (Milo Tindle), seen at the nation’s regional theaters including Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Arena Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville and The Goodman, among others.
Also featured in the production are Phillip Farrar, Harold K. Newman and Roger Purnell, all making their McCarter debuts.
The creative team includes scenic designer Alexander Dodge (McCarter’s “Mousetrap”, Broadway’s “Anastasia” and “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”); costume designer Ivania Stack (numerous D.C. area credits at Woolly Mammoth, Arena Stage and more); lighting designer Nancy Schertler (McCarter’s “Uncle Vanya”, Broadway’s “Full Moon”); Tony and Obie award-winning sound designer Darron L West (McCarter’s “Murder on the Orient Express”, “Into the Woods” and others); wig and makeup designer Carissa Thorlakson (McCarter’s “A Christmas Carol”); fight director J. Allen Suddeth (Broadway’s “Aladdin”, “Angels in America”); and dialect coach Julie Foh.
Cheryl Mintz and Alison Cote are production stage manager and stage manager, respectively. Casting by Caparelliotis Casting.
“Sleuth’s” running time is 1 hour, 55 minutes with one 20-minute intermission.
For more information about ‘Sleuth’ and tickets, visit www.mccarter.org or call 609-258-2787.