AGATHA CHRISTIE UNDER COMIC INVESTIGATION IN 'KILL A BETTER MOUSETRAP'

May 12, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Inquiries:
Scott K. Ratner
[email protected]

Miles Edward Merbinau has a plan to make the world’s longest-running play go away. Unfortunately, Mr. Merbinau isn’t all there himself…

The play in question is Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” and Mr. Merbinau has his own motives behind his plot. Already, several efforts have backfired on him, so Merbinau is now determined to borrow a leaf from Dame Agatha’s own works…murder!

Merbinau’s wild theories, hare-brained schemes and ruminations on the contrariness of success provide the hilarity in KILL A BETTER MOUSETRAP, a one-act comedy by Scott K. Ratner and produced by Lanny Panlock Productions, to be presented as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival at East Theatre at The Complex on June 22 and June 29, with a preview performance on June 8.

Incredibly enough, the play is based in historical fact and offers loopy observations of topics as obscure as theatrical licensing agreements and as nonsensical as Hollywood marketing.

Southern California-based playwright and actor, Scott K. Ratner has appeared in over 200 productions on stage and in film and television. His passion for Golden Age detective fiction is displayed in his book and lyrics for two whodunit musicals, “All Talking! All Singing!! All Murder!!!” and “Murder on the High C’s.” He is also a professional magician and a contributing writer to Mystery Scene Magazine.

Called “simply golden” and “delightfully witty” by mystery fans, KILL A BETTER MOUSETRAP features the playwright as Merbinau, with Laura M. Hathaway and John W. Scoggins. The production is directed by Elisabeth Graham Elliot.

KILL A BETTER MOUSETRAP will be presented at 1:30pm and 5:30pm on Saturday, June 22, and at 5:30pm and 11:00pm on Saturday, June 29, with a preview performance at 9:45pm on Saturday, June 8. The East Theatre at The Complex is located at 6476 Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood. The play is family-friendly but recommended for audiences age 14 and up. Running time: 45 minutes.

Tickets are $10 and available at the Hollywood Fringe website at hff13.org/1365.