Andrew Criss returns to star in 'Deathtrap' through Feb. 12

Equity actor Andrew Criss, who appeared in the Clear Space Theatre Company fall production of "Lips Together, Teeth Apart," has returned to Clear Space to star in its latest show "Deathtrap," a mystery play by Ira Levin.

Criss, whose credits include performances at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., will play Sidney Bruhl, a Broadway thriller writer who is in the middle of a dry spell with his writing. When he unexpectedly receives a script with amazing potential from a young student writer, he decides that he would practically kill to have it. From that point on, the plot begins to twist and turn with devilish cleverness and holds audiences hostage until the final startling moments of the play, according to the Dramatists Play Service.

Clear Space Artistic Director David Button is also joining the cast to play Clifford Anderson, the young writer whose work Bruhl covets. He claims that Criss was a huge reason for his own desire to step back onto the stage.

“[Andrew Criss] is an amazing actor, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to work with him,” Button said. “He does his homework and brings such amazing intensity, focus and versatility with him onto the stage.”

Joining Criss and Button in "Deathtrap," are Valorie Jarrell, Dan Carney and Equity actress Elaine Faye. Aleta Thompson is directing the show.

"Deathtrap," opened Friday, Jan. 29, to run for three weekends with shows at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m., Sunday.

For more information about Andrew Criss, go to www.andrewcriss.com. To purchase tickets, go to www.clearspacetheatre.org, call 302-227-2270 or go in person to the box office inside the Clear Space Theatre at 20 Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach.