There’s no fourth wall in the Marathon High School drama club’s fall production of “Trap” by Stephen Gregg. But there are unconscious bodies all over the place, and the audience is in on the investigation.
In Menachap, California, the 241-person audience, cast and crew of a high school play inexplicably fall unconscious – that is, all but one. Told through evidence and a series of “on-camera” interviews of witnesses, friends and family, first responders and detectives assigned to unravel the phenomenon, the cast and audience dig deeper to find the truth, unraveling more of the theater’s twisted history en route to a shocking end.
Speaking to the Weekly three days before opening night, the show’s leads were necessarily tight-lipped when discussing their most anticipated scenes.
“I’m the detective (Heche), and I’m just trying to keep my job,” said senior and 7-year drama club veteran Soph Hutchins. “My boss puts me in the ‘dead end, nothing’s going to happen’ pile, and then I suddenly get something.”
“The girl who survives makes a 911 call, and I’m the person who responds to it,” said fellow senior Cameron VanHoose, who plays fireman Ephrain Salas. “I guess you could say I’m the emotional side of the show, staying with the bodies while everyone tries to figure out what’s going on.”
“He actually cares about them,” laughed Hutchins.
Asked about the defining feature of “Trap” compared to past MHS productions, both Van Hoose and Hutchins refused to give up much.
“The ending,” they said. “You’ll have to show up and find out.”
Directed by Rhonda Crutcher, “Trap” runs from Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 6 to 9. The curtain rises on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students at the door, payable with cash or credit. The show may be frightening for young children; parental discretion is advised.
Photos by Cathy Walters and Alex Rickert
