BUCYRUS–A murder mystery play will hit the stage of the Bucyrus Little Theatre this weekend just in time for the Halloween Season.

Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” returns Saturday, Oct. 1, with other performances set for Oct. 2, 6, 8, and 9 at the theatre, 130 Songer Avenue. A show packed with mystery – and plenty of history.

“I definitely can’t give away the secret, but it is a ‘whodunit’ like all Agatha Christies are,” said director Mindy Tishue, who is making her B.L.T. directing debut. “It has a lot of twists and turns, and no one character is exactly who you think they are.”

The popular production, which opened in London’s West End in 1952, is the longest-running play in the world.

It has had more than 28,000 performances overall, except for a break due to COVID-19, Tishue said. “It’s a period piece, so there’s a lot of history to the show as well.”

The play is set in a country estate – Monkswell Manor – during a snowstorm and opens with the murder of a woman. Who can it be? But, in keeping with the show’s tradition of secrecy, audiences, after the performances, are asked not to reveal the killer’s identity.

Eight actors make up the cast.

Kristie Chandler and Joe Loftis play Mollie and Giles Ralston, while Tim Lovato is Christopher Wren. Billie Weiland is Mrs. Boyle, Justin Bessler plays Major Metcalf, and Barb Rigdon is Miss Casewell. Mr. Paravicini is portrayed by Jim Messenger, and Joe Trolian is the detective, Sergeant Trotter.

Galion artist Melissa Taylor has painted a “wonderful winter scene” for the set, said Tishue, a B.L.T. veteran who has also performed in Galion Community Theatre productions and at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield. At G.C.T., she has also directed “Saving Grace.”

Tishue said rehearsals have gone well, with tech week officially underway. “That’s really exciting. The costumes, the props, the lighting, and sound all come together this week,” she said.

“It’s really going well. The cast is amazing.”

Performances are Oct. 1, 6, and 8 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Oct. 2 and 9 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults.

They can be ordered online through the theatre’s website, bucyruslittletheatre.com, or by calling the box office.