Psychological thriller comes to Mansfield Playhouse this weekend and next
Two weeks after their marriage, Daniel Corban's wife has gone missing during their vacation to a mountain lodge.
An inspector is on the case, but little progress is made before two people turn up murdered.
Five shows of "Catch Me If You Can" will be performed this weekend and next at the Mansfield Playhouse.
"It's really a psychological thriller," explained Doug Wertz, the theater's director. "It was written back in the 1960s."
Performances begin 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday as well as April 28 and 29. The final show will be a matinee 2:30 p.m. April 30.
'It's a psychological test'
The story begins with a happy couple who are on their first trip together in the Catskill Mountains.
"They're supposed to be enjoying their honeymoon," Wertz explained. "Unfortunately, within a very short time of being there, they got into their first argument."
Corban — portrayed by Eric Gustafson of Ashland — realizes his newlywed wife, Elizabeth, has gone missing.
The man calls Inspector Levine — portrayed by Jeffrey Dowdy of Mansfield — to file a police report.
"The inspector doesn't take him entirely seriously, so we think," Wertz said. "Then it just goes on twists and turns."
Corban's integrity is questioned throughout the performance.
"It's a test all the way through," Wertz said. "It's a psychological test."
Throughout the investigation, Corban gets to know Father Kelleher — portrayed by Wertz — who helps him navigate the ordeal.
Suddenly the priest shows up with a gorgeous young woman who claims to be Corban's missing wife, Elizabeth.
"So in walks this lady and she comes over and gives him a kiss," Wertz said. "She goes about her business and cleans up everything. And he says, "Father, that's not my wife."
The rest of the show is a trial of whether Corban can prove that the woman is not his wife, or if she can prove that she is. A key witness proves to be a deli shop owner who had seen the real Elizabeth just a few days earlier.
"Next thing you know, he gets murdered," Wertz said.
The psychological thriller is a rare treat in genres for the Mansfield Playhouse.
"We focus a lot on comedies and we've especially tried to make sure things were lighter in the post-pandemic," Wertz said. "But this is such a good show. It's going to hold interest. I still think what's most important is that the public needs to understand that it's more than just comedy."
Most of the seven cast and four crew members are from Richland County. The rest are from Ashland County.
'I'm really looking forward to opening night'
The show has given Gustafson a chance to share the stage with his real wife, Johnna, who portrays the imposter Elizabeth.
"She loves doing these kind of shows," he said.
This is the first time he has performed a psychological thriller.
"I usually do comedies," Gustafson said.
It's not the first time he's had a leading role at the Playhouse. This one, though, is a little more intense.
"The show is very verbose, so I had a lot of lines to learn," Gustafson said. "I love acting, so it's worth the effort."
With this show, the actor said he could not rely on sharp wit to evoke reactions from the audience. Now, he is leaning more on emotions.
"Before, I was looking for laughs," Gustafson said. "I'm really looking forward to opening night and seeing how the audience reacts."
Tickets available by phone or online
Dowdy has actually seen the play before. It was 25 years ago and he was running sound for the Playhouse when a different cast and crew performed the same show.
"I loved it," Dowdy said. "At the time, I was pretty new to theater, so I never thought I would be in a show like that. But here I am, enjoying it. It's great."
Like Gustafson, he said he appreciates the chance to perform something other than comedy. This is his first show back to the theater since the pandemic.
"It was a good opportunity to get back into it," Dowdy said.
The show consists of three acts that will span about two hours, including an intermission.
Doors open an hour before the show, and guests are seated 30 minutes prior to the curtain.
Tickets price are $13 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $8 for students. They can be purchased by calling 419-522-2883 or by visiting the Playhouse's website, mansfieldplayhouse.com.
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Psychological thriller hits Mansfield Playhouse this weekend and next
