The Mousetrap
at Dana Hills High School (SOCSA)

Reviewed on October 28, 2016

Cassidy McCleary
San Clemente High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

SOCSA's ‘Mousetrap" is murderously good
written by Cassidy McCleary, a senior at San Clemente High School

With a murder in London and a storm on the way, life is no winter wonderland for the cast of Dana Hills SOCSA's "Mousetrap". Snowed in the newly minted Monkswell Manor with a murderer in their midst, the Ralstons and their houseguests are forced to decide who to trust when lives are on the line.

Ashley Patrick shines as Mollie Ralston, the young proprietress of a guesthouse in the English countryside. As the plot thickens, she masterfully manifests the growing tension in her home with ramrod posture, wide eyes and furrowed brows, as she beats a retreat to the kitchen when faced with police investigation. She and her husband, Giles (Jeremy Ingraham), create the perfect picture of domestic felicity with affectionate greetings, but when the stakes are raised in the case, expertly show the toll stress can take on a relationship in their dagger-like glares and sharp delivery of dialogue.

Adding some comedic relief, Carson Carroll embodies the odd, yet endearing Christopher Wren. With stiff limbs, flapping hands and a wide grin, Carroll exaggerates the nervous energy and eccentric personality of Wren an enigma of sensitivity and awkwardness. He portrays Wren's complete lack of social grace with finesse, which peaks when Wren lurks behind the curtains and jumps out during a tete-a-tete between the Ralstons, garnering much laughter.

This production shines on the set designed and built by Emmy Fry and the SOCSA stagecraft class. The warm colors, realistic windows and various functional doorways create a picture of a working and homey English manor, with attention paid to every detail, including facades behind the exits to perpetuate the idea of an accurate boarding house.

Sound design and cues are expertly executed by Lexi James, whose perfect synchronicity with the actors heightens the realism of the play; the radio music turns on with the flip of the dial and gusty wind blows the moment the windows crack open.

The commendable hair and makeup designs of Kate Simpson and Amy Valencia help accent the personalities of each of the characters. Christopher Wren's hollowed cheekbones and sallow skin add to his aura of anxiety and oddity, while the red lips and curled ringlets of Mollie hearken to the classic look of the fifties.

This stirring rendition of a timeless murder mystery brings chills and thrills to all who promise to keep its secret in their heart.

Cassidy McCleary
San Clemente High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

SOCSA's ‘Mousetrap" is murderously good
written by Cassidy McCleary, a senior at San Clemente High School

With a murder in London and a storm on the way, life is no winter wonderland for the cast of Dana Hills SOCSA's "Mousetrap". Snowed in the newly minted Monkswell Manor with a murderer in their midst, the Ralstons and their houseguests are forced to decide who to trust when lives are on the line.

Ashley Patrick shines as Mollie Ralston, the young proprietress of a guesthouse in the English countryside. As the plot thickens, she masterfully manifests the growing tension in her home with ramrod posture, wide eyes and furrowed brows, as she beats a retreat to the kitchen when faced with police investigation. She and her husband, Giles (Jeremy Ingraham), create the perfect picture of domestic felicity with affectionate greetings, but when the stakes are raised in the case, expertly show the toll stress can take on a relationship in their dagger-like glares and sharp delivery of dialogue.

Adding some comedic relief, Carson Carroll embodies the odd, yet endearing Christopher Wren. With stiff limbs, flapping hands and a wide grin, Carroll exaggerates the nervous energy and eccentric personality of Wren an enigma of sensitivity and awkwardness. He portrays Wren's complete lack of social grace with finesse, which peaks when Wren lurks behind the curtains and jumps out during a tete-a-tete between the Ralstons, garnering much laughter.

This production shines on the set designed and built by Emmy Fry and the SOCSA stagecraft class. The warm colors, realistic windows and various functional doorways create a picture of a working and homey English manor, with attention paid to every detail, including facades behind the exits to perpetuate the idea of an accurate boarding house.

Sound design and cues are expertly executed by Lexi James, whose perfect synchronicity with the actors heightens the realism of the play; the radio music turns on with the flip of the dial and gusty wind blows the moment the windows crack open.

The commendable hair and makeup designs of Kate Simpson and Amy Valencia help accent the personalities of each of the characters. Christopher Wren's hollowed cheekbones and sallow skin add to his aura of anxiety and oddity, while the red lips and curled ringlets of Mollie hearken to the classic look of the fifties.

This stirring rendition of a timeless murder mystery brings chills and thrills to all who promise to keep its secret in their heart.

Grace Danon
Mater Dei High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

Dana Hill's 'The Mousetrap' is bloody good
written by Grace Danon, a junior at Mater Dei High School

Trapped like mice with a murderer among them, a motley group in a snowed-in manor struggle to stay alive and uncover the truth. A tangled web of secrets, lies, and unknown identities, "The Mousetrap" chronicles the paranoia of the innkeepers and guests as they face something grimmer than death—their own pasts. With careful cast choices and organic crew designs, South Orange County School of the Arts builds intrigue and suspense in a thrilling rendition of this classic whodunit.

The entire cast's cagey reactions and secretive airs captivatingly raise suspicion without giving too much away. Their clear intentions and charged exchanges are thematically complemented by intricate yet refined technical elements. The dark forest tones of the set and costumes impart mystery, and extensive detail creates convincing surroundings.

Ashley Patrick portrays Mollie Ralston, who runs Monkswell Manor with her husband. Patrick's lively eyes and dynamic expressions convey the emotional complexity of her troubled character. Her consistently elegant accent and comfortable movement around the set put her right at home in the manor.

Carson Carroll wonderfully reinvents the eccentric guest and likely suspect, Christopher Wren. Anxious hand rubbing and stiff limbs convey amusing awkwardness and unsettling bizarreness. In mimicking the behaviors of other characters onstage, he simulates social discomfort, yet his sensitive and gentle interactions make Wren inherently lovable.

A young sergeant arrives at the manor to investigate the case. As the earnest and intelligent Sergeant Trotter, Mitchel Csermak shows remarkable ability to both transition from and blend two very polar personalities.

Costumes by Makenna Green and Kaitlin Wright fit perfectly with the period, characters, and setting. Large coats and felt hats emphasize the chill in the air and the subdued tones are appropriate to the era and situation. Accessories like scarves and vests subtly help to individualize characters. Emmy Fry and SOCSA Stagecraft create a beautifully detailed set, which accentuate the cold weather and give a mysterious sense of isolation. Frosted window panes evince winter; when opened, trees and a frigid outdoor void lend a frightening feeling of entrapment. The main set, the front room of an English inn, sports appealing and non-diverting contrasts of light cream colors with deep purples and greens, embellished with tasteful household props.

With captivating cast and well-oriented technical choices, SOCSA's exquisitely suspenseful take on "The Mousetrap" ensnares with every twist and turn.

Grace Danon
Mater Dei High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

Dana Hill's 'The Mousetrap' is bloody good
written by Grace Danon, a junior at Mater Dei High School

Trapped like mice with a murderer among them, a motley group in a snowed-in manor struggle to stay alive and uncover the truth. A tangled web of secrets, lies, and unknown identities, "The Mousetrap" chronicles the paranoia of the innkeepers and guests as they face something grimmer than death—their own pasts. With careful cast choices and organic crew designs, South Orange County School of the Arts builds intrigue and suspense in a thrilling rendition of this classic whodunit.

The entire cast's cagey reactions and secretive airs captivatingly raise suspicion without giving too much away. Their clear intentions and charged exchanges are thematically complemented by intricate yet refined technical elements. The dark forest tones of the set and costumes impart mystery, and extensive detail creates convincing surroundings.

Ashley Patrick portrays Mollie Ralston, who runs Monkswell Manor with her husband. Patrick's lively eyes and dynamic expressions convey the emotional complexity of her troubled character. Her consistently elegant accent and comfortable movement around the set put her right at home in the manor.

Carson Carroll wonderfully reinvents the eccentric guest and likely suspect, Christopher Wren. Anxious hand rubbing and stiff limbs convey amusing awkwardness and unsettling bizarreness. In mimicking the behaviors of other characters onstage, he simulates social discomfort, yet his sensitive and gentle interactions make Wren inherently lovable.

A young sergeant arrives at the manor to investigate the case. As the earnest and intelligent Sergeant Trotter, Mitchel Csermak shows remarkable ability to both transition from and blend two very polar personalities.

Costumes by Makenna Green and Kaitlin Wright fit perfectly with the period, characters, and setting. Large coats and felt hats emphasize the chill in the air and the subdued tones are appropriate to the era and situation. Accessories like scarves and vests subtly help to individualize characters. Emmy Fry and SOCSA Stagecraft create a beautifully detailed set, which accentuate the cold weather and give a mysterious sense of isolation. Frosted window panes evince winter; when opened, trees and a frigid outdoor void lend a frightening feeling of entrapment. The main set, the front room of an English inn, sports appealing and non-diverting contrasts of light cream colors with deep purples and greens, embellished with tasteful household props.

With captivating cast and well-oriented technical choices, SOCSA's exquisitely suspenseful take on "The Mousetrap" ensnares with every twist and turn.

Alex Mason
University High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook Page

Dana Hills Highschool springs ‘The Mousetrap'

In murder mysteries, trusts are easily violated, accusations are used as commonly as bullets, and fear and hysteria are the murderer's weapons of choice. Dana Hills High School's ‘The Mousetrap' is no exception, telling the classic story of a murder, but with a twist that keeps everyone guessing.

When an English guest house is snowed in after a recent murder, the inhabitants are trapped, and already beginning to suspect each other. Tensions rise even higher when they are told by a man introduced as Sergeant Trotter that everyone is in danger, because one of them is the murderer out for revenge.

Christopher Wren, played by Carson Carroll, is nervous and emotional, speaking in a quiet, reedy voice while awkwardly trying to engage in conversation. The actor's vocal choice, while interesting and unusual, is highly effective, allowing him to create even more depth in his character.

Mrs. Boyle (Maya Hahn) is the complete opposite of Wren, strutting in the door with heavy luggage in her hands and seemingly infinite criticisms on her lips. Boyle's stuffy and wound-up appearance unsuccessfully conceals her true thoughts and opinions of the proceedings.

The guests' hostess, Mollie Ralston (Ashley Patrick), is endearing but firm, bustling around the stage, attending to the tenants with great skill that defies her lack of experience. Mollie's character contrasts directly with those around her, making her stand out.

Technical elements of the show are also wonderful. The set, designed by Emmy Fry, is painted with vertical dark green and magenta stripes, with white lines in between to offset the contrast. The use of darker colors is not only accurate to the time period, but also gives the set a dark, sinister feel which works well with the action onstage.

The makeup in the show, designed by Kate Simpson and Amy Valencia, is effectively used to differentiate characters in the show. Mollie's makeup is high-fashion and sweet, while Wren appears gaunt and ghostly. This contrast exemplifies the differences between these characters quite well.

‘The Mousetrap' is a time-tested tale that still resonates with audiences to this day. Dana Hills' production shows that one can never assume an answer, because the answer is rarely what you expect.

Alex Mason
University High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook Page

Dana Hills Highschool springs ‘The Mousetrap'

In murder mysteries, trusts are easily violated, accusations are used as commonly as bullets, and fear and hysteria are the murderer's weapons of choice. Dana Hills High School's ‘The Mousetrap' is no exception, telling the classic story of a murder, but with a twist that keeps everyone guessing.

When an English guest house is snowed in after a recent murder, the inhabitants are trapped, and already beginning to suspect each other. Tensions rise even higher when they are told by a man introduced as Sergeant Trotter that everyone is in danger, because one of them is the murderer out for revenge.

Christopher Wren, played by Carson Carroll, is nervous and emotional, speaking in a quiet, reedy voice while awkwardly trying to engage in conversation. The actor's vocal choice, while interesting and unusual, is highly effective, allowing him to create even more depth in his character.

Mrs. Boyle (Maya Hahn) is the complete opposite of Wren, strutting in the door with heavy luggage in her hands and seemingly infinite criticisms on her lips. Boyle's stuffy and wound-up appearance unsuccessfully conceals her true thoughts and opinions of the proceedings.

The guests' hostess, Mollie Ralston (Ashley Patrick), is endearing but firm, bustling around the stage, attending to the tenants with great skill that defies her lack of experience. Mollie's character contrasts directly with those around her, making her stand out.

Technical elements of the show are also wonderful. The set, designed by Emmy Fry, is painted with vertical dark green and magenta stripes, with white lines in between to offset the contrast. The use of darker colors is not only accurate to the time period, but also gives the set a dark, sinister feel which works well with the action onstage.

The makeup in the show, designed by Kate Simpson and Amy Valencia, is effectively used to differentiate characters in the show. Mollie's makeup is high-fashion and sweet, while Wren appears gaunt and ghostly. This contrast exemplifies the differences between these characters quite well.

‘The Mousetrap' is a time-tested tale that still resonates with audiences to this day. Dana Hills' production shows that one can never assume an answer, because the answer is rarely what you expect.