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IOWA CITY — Riverside Theatre’s next main-stage production will be “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie, the legendary murder-mystery that holds the record as the longest-running play in theater history.

The show runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 14, 2025. Directed by Jon Whitmore, “The Mousetrap” invites audiences into Monkswell Manor for a timeless “who done it” that has famously been performed for 70-plus years on London’s West End. When a young couple opens a bed and breakfast on the English countryside, their first guests turn out to be six odd and shadowy figures, each with secrets to hide. A snowstorm cuts the house off from the outside world just as a notorious murderer is revealed to be on the loose, and each guest becomes a suspect.

“Amazingly in our 40-plus year history, Riverside has never produced an Agatha Christie story,” said Producing Artistic Director Adam Knight. “For me, she is the ultimate literary guilty pleasure. Strong characters, compelling storylines, and twists you never see coming. This play is really perfect for a company like Riverside because of our track-record of rich, multi-layered performances and deep-bench actor ensembles.”

What: Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap”

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 and following Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances; 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: Wilson Family Stage, Riverside Theatre, 119 E College St., Iowa City

Tickets: riversidetheatre.org/mousetrap

A special post-show talkback with the cast and director, led by professor Miriam Gilbert, will follow the Sunday, Nov. 30 matinee and begin at approximately 4:15 p.m.

First performed in 1952, “The Mousetrap” is a global phenomenon. The play opened in London in 1952 and has run continuously ever since, making it the longest-running play in theater history. Its enduring popularity lies in its deft blend of suspense, humor and human drama, and in the tradition of audiences being asked to “keep the secret” after the show ends.

Riverside’s production features Alec Errhalt (Detective Trotter), Joshua Fryvecind (Mr. Paravicini), Cristina Goyeneche (Miss Casewell), Deucalion Martin (Christopher Wren), Luke McGee (Giles Ralston), Allison Meyer (Mollie Raston), Krista Neumann (Mrs. Boyle), and Aaron Pozdol (Major Metcalf). The cast is directed by guest director Jon Whitmore, with scenic design by Robert Sunderman, costumes by Joni Sackett, lighting design by Audrey Wubbena and sound design by Dakota Parobek. Stephen Polchert provides props design and Katy Hahn serves as intimacy director and dialect coach. The stage manager is Rebekah Leipold, with Brody Butler as assistant stage manager and Hannah Green as board operator. The graphic design is by Stacia Rain Stonerook