The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre's final production for the 2008 season is Agatha Christie's record-setting whodunit, "The Mousetrap," running Saturday, Sept. 20, through Sunday, Sept. 28.

"The Mousetrap" has a devilishly simple premise, according to a Lyceum news release. A group of strangers are stranded in an English boarding house during a snow storm, and one of them is a murderer.

No one is above suspicion!

But it is Christie's intricate weaving throughout the play of red-herrings, dead-ends and false leads that has captured the public's imagination for nearly 60 years and a breathtaking 23,000-plus performances.

"No one ever seems to guess who the murderer is" said Lyceum Theatre Managing Director Steve Bertani.

Whether you like catching "Murder, She Wrote" reruns on television, or sitting around with friends on a dark and stormy night trying to figure out whether it was the Colonel in the library with a candlestick, the fun is in trying to guess.

"The Mousetrap" is where it all started.

The cast of colorful characters includes a newly married couple who run the boarding house, a spinster, an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef, an Army major, a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a snow drift, a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone and a policeman traveling on skis.

All the components of a perfect mystery are in place.

Directing the final production for the 2008 season is Kathleen Huber.

Huber was last seen on stage at the Lyceum in 2003 as Ouiser Boudreaux in "Steel Magnolias."

"I first saw and fell in love with Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap in London in 1966 while touring the British Isles. One thing I like about 'The Mousetrap' is that the characters are all very likable," she said. "In most murder mysteries you can get so caught up in the sinister plots that you don't seem to really get to know the characters."

In addition to directing the production, Huber will also be playing the role of Mrs. Boyle, the spinster.

Joining Huber on stage will be Amanda Williford, making her Lyceum debut playing the role of Mollie Ralston.

Playing the part of Mollie's new husband, Giles, is Jarred Kjack, another new face to the Lyceum stage.

Rounding out this wonderfully talented cast are Lyceum favorites Artistic Director Quin Gresham, Elena Gronlund, Joneal Joplin, Ames Adamson and Jarrod Zimmerman.

Show times are Saturday, Sept. 20, at 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept, 21, at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 2 and 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 28, at 2 p.m.

The talk-back session, where audience members have a chance to discuss the play or theater in general with cast and crew, will follow the Wednesday, Sept. 24, 8 p.m. show.