Seemingly comfortably tucked away in his charming Connecticut home, Sidney, a successful writer of Broadway murder-mystery thrillers, is struggling to overcome a “dry” spell which has resulted in a string of flops and a shortage of income.  A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a script from a student in the seminar he has been conducting at a nearby college who “has written a play that is so good, even a gifted director couldn’t hurt it”. Sidney immediately recognizes it as a potential Broadway hit and one that he would kill for. Sidney’s plan, which he devises with his wife’s help, is to offer collaboration to the student, an idea which the younger man quickly accepts.  Thereafter, it is clear that things are not what they seem.  The play provides twists and turns and sudden shocks in such abundance that the audience will be held spellbound until the very last moment.

Deathtrap was a smash hit on Broadway and a Tony Award nominee for Best Play.  With 1,793 performances, it holds the record as being one of the longest running shows on Broadway.  It was made into a movie in 1982 starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve.  Deathtrap was previously produced by the Guild in 1985.